Determination of phase separation and mass transfer in complex micellar three phase systems

Combining the advantages of the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis is the main goal of tunable solvent systems. Homogeneous conditions shall be achieved throughout the reaction period and heterogeneous conditions shall be adjusted within the separation process. Therefore, high and specific reaction rates are coupled with a simplified separation process. For the design of the separation process the phase separation itself and the liquid/liquid mass transfer must be quantified. Therefore, a test cell is designed in this work. For the experimental investigations a model test system was applied (water/1-dodecene/C4E2). The separation process of the liquid three phase system was observed by an image analysis. A hysteresis effect was observed which also influenced the separation process. Within the three phase system the coalescence rate is faster than under two phase conditions in the observed temperature range. A diffusion coefficient through the C4E2 rich middle phase could be determined experimentally, which was in good agreement with theoretical calculations.