Intensifying Mass Transfer Between Immiscible Liquids: Using Screen-type Static Mixers

The use of screen-type static mixers to promote inter-phase mass transfer in co-current pipe flow was found to result in volumetric mass transfer coefficients as high as 9 s−1 being achieved at low specific energy consumption rates. Very high extraction efficiencies were also reached within residence times of about 1 s. This exceptional performance can be attributed to the controlled hydrodynamic condition achievable in this contactor, and the ability to generate fine dispersions in the high energy dissipation regions behind screens.