Solvent extraction in microbore tubes with UNPS-TBP in dodecane system

Solvent extraction of uranium from 500 ppm uranyl nitrate pure solution (UNPS) into an organic phase containing 30% TBP in dodecane has been studied. An opposed T-type microfluidic junction having microbore tube on the downstream side has been used in experiments. Effects of contact time and O/A ratio on stage efficiency and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient have been studied. Effects of microbore tube diameter and method of varying the contact time on stage efficiency and overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient have also been investigated. Liquid-liquid two-phase flow patterns of the same phase system sans uranium, observed in transparent microbore tubes, are used to explain some of the experimental trends. Numerical simulations to visualize liquid-liquid two-phase flow patterns at the microfluidic junction are also carried out to support the explanations of some of the experimental trends.