Drop sizes and its distribution in jet-driven liquid–liquid mixing column: substantial application for the liquid–liquid extraction process

Abstract

The present work reports the study of drop size distribution, drop aspect ratio, and interfacial area in a liquid–liquid jet-driven mixing column. Four different liquids, i.e., kerosene, diesel, 1-decanol, and paraffin, are used as dispersed phases and water as the continuous phase. The effect of the jet velocity, the volume fraction of the dispersed phase, and the physical properties of a liquid mixture such as density, viscosity, and surface tension are studied on the drop size distribution and drop aspect ratio. The column diameter of 0.37 m and nozzle diameter of 0.005 m were used. The velocity of the jet is varied between 0.68 m/s–1.71 m/s. It is observed that the drop size decreases as the volume fraction of the dispersed phase and jet velocity increases. Drop size distribution is found to follow the Log-logistic drop size distribution function. The aspect ratio is close to unity for a small drop, and it decreases as the drop size increases. The increase in the Eötvös number leads to a decrease in the aspect ratio. The correlation for the drop aspect ratio is proposed in terms of the Reynolds and Eötvös numbers in the ranges of 0.061 <Re < 342.59, 0.004 <Eo < 1.166, and (−4.756) < log10 (Mo) < (−9.171), respectively. Interfacial area of drop enhances with an increase in the dispersed volume phase and jet velocity. Empirical correlation is developed to predict Sauter mean drop diameter, drop aspect ratio, distribution function parameters, and interfacial area based on operating variables and physical properties of the system.