Liquid-liquid flow and mass transfer characteristics in a miniaturized annular centrifugal device

Abstract

• A MACD with efficient mass transfer, fast phase separation and low energy consumption is proposed. • The dimensionless correlation of maximum throughput is obtained. • Operation region and controlled mechanism of liquid–liquid phase separation are obtained. • the maximum η and k L a are up to 99.8 % and 0.31 s −1 , respectively. • The mean energy dissipation rate is lower than that of similar rotating equipment. Miniaturization of chemical equipment is becoming an important topic in process intensification and microscale flow chemistry. In this context, we developed a miniaturized annular centrifugal device (MACD) based on the microscale effect and centrifugal force. Various parameters were investigated to determine the maximum throughput of the single-phase, operating region of liquid–liquid phase separation, mass transfer performance, and mean energy dissipation rate. Detailed investigations of the controlled mechanism of the liquid–liquid flow process showed that a very fast phase separation can be achieved. The extraction efficiency and volume mass transfer coefficient were up to 99.8 % and 0.31 s −1 , respectively. The mean energy dissipation rate ranged from 0.8 × 10 4 to 3.9 × 10 4 W/m 3 , which is lower than that of the similar rotating equipment. In addition, dimensionless correlations were obtained to predict the maximum throughput of the single-phase, the operating region of liquid–liquid phase separation, and the volume mass transfer coefficient. This study is the first time to propose a MACD with fast phase separation, efficient mass transfer, and low energy consumption, and provides a highly promising liquid–liquid process intensification tool.