Abstract
Fine drops pose a separation problem in batch gas-agitated liquid—liquid systems, such as pyrometallurgical and liquid—liquid extraction processes because a small amount of the more dense liquid phase remains dispersed in the less dense liquid phase in the form of fine drops long after agitation has ceased and the bulk liquid phases have separated. In this work the origin of drops with diameters between 10 μm and 100 μm was investigated. Three sources were identified: the disintegration of liquid columns entrained by gas bubbles as they cross the liquid—liquid interface, drop erosion resulting from collisions with large gas bubbles, multiphase drop rupture at the upper liquid—gas interface. Liquid entrainment was found to be the principal source of fine drops for systems with low liquid—liquid viscosity ratios, whereas drop erosion inside the upper liquid phase and to a lesser extent multiphase drop rupture were found to be the principal sources of fine drops at high liquid—liquid viscosity ratios. Criteria for minimizing fine drop formation in these systems are proposed.
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