Electrical Field Contactor for Solvent Extraction

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Abstract
Electrostatic coalescers have been extensively used in solvent extraction units. However, the multiple properties of electrical fields may be applied to the realization of liquid-liquid contactors in which mixing and phase separation are caused by electrostatic effects. Under the action of an electric field an emulsion is submitted to various effects : drop disintegration and promoted coalescence respectively for high and low field intensities, modified displacements resulting from electrostatic forces and change of the mass transfer coefficients. The last effect (mass transfer) has been studied with a suitable device : the LEWIS cell in which an electric field is applied perpendicular to the interface. Enhanced copper extraction was observed, using the LIX 65N extractant. The study of these basic mechanisms resulted in the design of an efficient electrostatic extraction column. The hydrodynamic study confirms the feasibility of applying high electrical voltages to two-phase systems containing a significant amount of conductive dispersed phase provided that the electrodes are coated with a suitable insulating layer.

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