| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1511410 | Energy Procedia | 2014 | 8 Pages |
Solvent extraction is one of the key unit operations in the process industries including the fuel recovery unit of nuclear power plants. Among various types of solvent extraction units, the pulsed column is emerging as one of the best choices because of its much smaller footprints compared to the most commonly used mixer-settler type extraction units. Optimal design of a pulsed column requires a thorough understanding of the multiphase flow dynamics as the mass transfer efficiency depends directly on the interfacial area, which is influenced by the extent of turbulent mixing in the unit. The objective of the present work is to investigate the influence of operating parameters such as frequency and amplitude of pulse on the stage wise hold up. To that end, CFD based numerical simulations are carried out on disc and doughnut pulsed column with different operating condition and for two pairs of fluids i.e. ρc/ρd < 1 and ρc/ρd >1. Both continuous and dispersed phases are treated as inter-penetrating continua. The effect of turbulence on the continuous phase is captured using low Reynolds number k-ɛ model. Effect of the column geometry, diameter of the droplets of the dispersed phase, and operating conditions such as the frequency and amplitude of pulsation on the dispersion of the minor phase, is investigated. Simulation results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental observations reported in literature.
