Immiscible Phases Research Articles

Correlation Between Microscopic Current Fluctuations Observed at Ultra-Microelectrodes and Macroscopic Bulk Electrolysis Performance in Redox-Active Microemulsions

Abstract Microemulsions (µEs) have been proposed as redox flow battery (RFB) electrolytes that maximize ionic conductivity and charge capacity by synergizing two immiscible phases. However, charge transfer during electrolysis in µEs is poorly understood. Here, we show that ultramicroelectrode electrolysis of ferrocene-loaded µEs - 20%, 60%, and 90% water - reveals stochastic current fluctuations. These are differentiated in the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) geometry, where power spectral density analysis showed distinct changes in the frequency contributions. SECM in the substrate generation-tip collection mode showed that fluctuations arise under mass-transfer control. Significant differences in the diffusion coefficient of ferrocene species were deducted from SECM approach curves, suggesting phase transfer behavior. Using bulk electrolysis, we calculated the charge accessibility and cycling behavior in the µEs. A decrease in the stochastic behavior of the µEs seems to correlate to a higher accessibility and cycling performance, with the 90% water µE displaying the best reversibility and the 60% the lowest. Altogether, these results suggest that Marangoni-type convection driven by concentration gradients and/or µE restructuring during charge transfer play a role in the electrochemical performance of µEs. This presents opportunities for screening and diagnosing the performance of these emerging RFB electrolytes.

Solvent screening for the purification of monoterpenoids by countercurrent and centrifugal partition chromatography

AbstractBACKGROUNDCountercurrent chromatography (CCC) and centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) are efficient techniques to purify terpenoids from essential oils. These methods require suitable solvent systems for the partition between the two immiscible liquid phases. In this study, using the analytical shake‐flask method, we measured the partition coefficients of three model monoterpenoids, namely carvone, eucalyptol and thymol, in 11 biphasic solvent systems, at 298.2 K. Moreover, the predictive COSMO‐RS model was applied to represent the partition coefficients of data measured in this work and retrieved from the literature, the liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data of three solvent families suitable for CCC/CPC separations (i.e., Arizona, Modified Arizona and Green Arizona) and the solute's partition coefficients in the three solvent families.RESULTSThe partition coefficients obtained for thymol and eucalyptol are the first partition data available in the literature. The obtained root mean square deviations (RMSDs) between the experimental and predicted partition coefficients (log basis) varied between 0.28 and 0.49. For LLE, RMSDs of 0.040 and 0.048 were achieved for the Arizona and Green Arizona families, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe predictive COSMO‐RS model describes the monoterpenoid partition coefficients and the LLE data of the solvent families well. The most favorable solvent systems to perform the separations were identified, showing that systems with low and intermediate‐to‐low polarities are the most promising options for separating the selected monoterpenoids from their natural matrices by CCC/CPC techniques. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Isolation and focal treatment of brain aneurysms using interfacial fluid trapping.

Current approaches for localized intravascular treatments rely on using solid implants, such as metallic coils for embolizing aneurysms, or on direct injection of a therapeutic agent that can disperse from the required site of action. Here, we present a fluid-based strategy for localizing intravascular therapeutics that leverages surface tension and immiscible fluid interactions, to allow confined and focal treatment at brain aneurysm sites. We first show, computationally and experimentally, that an immiscible phase can be robustly positioned at the neck of human aneurysm models to seal and isolate the aneurysm's cavity for further treatment, including in wide-neck aneurysms. We then demonstrate localized delivery and confined treatment, by selective staining of cell nuclei within the aneurysm cavity as well as by hydrogel-based embolization in patient-specific aneurysm models. Altogether, our interfacial flow-driven strategy offers a potential approach for intravascular localized treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases.

Non-aqueous Pickering emulsions stabilized by natroglaucocerinite-like layered double hydroxides particles

This study explores non-aqueous Pickering emulsions stabilized by natroglaucocerinite-like layered double hydroxides (Zn/Al LDH), featuring two immiscible phases: glycerin (Gly) and various oils (silicone, castor, soybean, or vaseline) over a span of 15 days. The stability of the emulsions was assessed through macroscopic observations of flocculation, creaming, sedimentation, and coalescence. The wettability of the solid particles at the phase interface was analyzed using tensiometry and contact angle measurements, while fluorescence microscopy was used to determine the type of emulsion. Emulsification effectiveness was found to be influenced by the glycerin volume fraction, oil type, and LDH particle concentration. Oils like silicone and vaseline required both a higher LDH concentration and glycerin fraction for complete oil emulsification, whereas castor and soybean oils showed better emulsification at higher glycerin fractions. These findings underscore the potential of LDH as a versatile and eco-friendly solution for applications that demand the reduction or control of specific solvents.

Confinement induced alteration in interfacial energy in aqueous surfactant systems

When a liquid is confined between two parallel plates, the pressure field at its bulk alters, because of the concave meniscus at the air-water interface. For an aqueous surfactant solution in contact with an oil, like an oil-in-water emulsion, this effect can alter the surfactant concentration at the interface of the two phases thereby changing the interfacial energy. Alteration of interfacial energy is expected to affect morphology of a complex system consisting of three immiscible phases. To verify this hypothesis a drop of crosslinkable silicone liquid was placed on a glass slide and was immobilized by partial crosslinking. An aqueous solution of surfactant, with SiO2 microspheres dispersed in it, was dispensed on this drop to create a liquid pool. It was then confined between two parallel plates to create a meniscus. Consequently, the particles got embedded at the oil-water interface to different extent, depending on the degree of confinement. Force balance along tangents to different interfaces showed that the interfacial energy of silicone-water (aqCTAB 0.3 mM) interface increases from 33.3 ± 0.5 mJ/m2 for an unconfined system to 45.4 ± 2.2 mJ/m2 for the confined one. This effect then elucidates how confinement alters complex emulsion morphologies in multiphase systems.

Chemical and mechanistic modelling of green solvent extraction of metallic species with 4-acylpyrazolones

Solvent extraction chemistry of metals needs the use of suitable organic ligands like 4-acylpyrazolones to coordinate the studied cation, to make it soluble in an organic phase and then allow its phase transfer from the aqueous phase. The competitive solvent extraction test of almost 25 metal ions by one powerful ligand, i.e. 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-pyrazol-5-one diluted in one ionic liquid ([C1Cnim+][Tf2N−]) has been conducted to get a snapshot of its efficacy. Effect of diluents on the liquid–liquid extraction of 4f-ions with a series of chelating ligands of 4-acylpyrazolones family (∼5) is presented comparing ionic liquids and typical organic diluents: 14 in number. In addition, the solvent extraction of 12 refractory metals with a series of chelating extractants is investigated in five diluents: four 4-acylpyrazolones with different radicals. The solvent extraction stoichiometry of MoO42− and Zr4+ is studied in detail using molecular and ionic diluent for comparative purposes through slope analysis method. Ethylene glycol is used to develop a non-aqueous process for Gd3+ switchable extraction, i.e. boost of two immiscible organic phases. Furthermore, EPR, NMR, IR and DTA-TG-MS spectroscopies have been used to study the extracted d- and f-species in the obtained organic extracts in ionic liquid solutions.

Physical properties of tween 20 + di-potassium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous (or tri-potassium phosphate 1,5-hydrate) + water from 288.15 K to 318.15 K

ABSTRACT The present study investigates the characterisation of binary and ternary mixtures involving a surfactant such as Tween 20 and various potassium salts in aqueous solutions. The ternary mixtures can form two distinct immiscible liquid phases. Several physical properties, including refractive index, density, and speed of sound, were measured, and derived properties such as excess molar volume and isentropic compressibility were calculated. The research focuses on the behaviour of aqueous binary and ternary mixtures composed of Tween 20, salts (di-potassium hydrogen phosphate anhydrous and tri-potassium phosphate 1,5-hydrate), and water in their homogeneous phases. It examines the influence of the surfactant and salts and the effect of temperature on these physical properties for homogeneous mixtures. Additionally, the physical properties of the equilibrium phases were determined to cover all the homogeneous zones comprehensively.

Thermal-induced buoyant water jet discharge under shallow coastal water conditions

A novel discharge dispersion model is developed to simulate the complex three-dimensional flow behaviour of thermal-induced buoyant water jets under current-wave coexisting conditions. The model solved the governing fluid flow and energy equations for two immiscible and incompressible phases (water and air) which were weakly coupled by applying the Boberbeck-Boussinesq approximation. Different turbulence models, such as k−ε multiphase, k-ω SST, k-ω SST-multiphase, k-ω SST-stable, and realizable k−ε were applied. Extensive verification of the model's performance is conducted by comparing the developed model results against a diverse range of analytical and experimental data. First, a series of simulations are carried out to evaluate the performance of the model in reproducing the results of the wave hydrodynamic and interactions with the submerged trapezoid bar. This is followed by numerically replicating the experimental results of a vertical non-buoyant submerged jet under current-only and current-wave environments. Finally, the potency of the coupled hydro-thermal algorithm is assessed by validating against different thermal-induced buoyant submerged jet experimental tests. For this purpose, numerical prediction of the developed model is tested against physical experiments for a series of tests for thermal-induced buoyant submerged horizontal jets in stationary water and inclined thermal-induced buoyant water jet under the influence of current-wave environments. Results showed that the k-ω SST-multiphase provides the best agreement with the laboratory measured data in terms of flow, temperature distribution field, plume trajectory and dilution. The findings confirmed that the developed model can be used as a reliable tool in precisely modelling characteristic of thermal-induced buoyant water jet in shallow coastal waters.

Spatial organization of translation and translational repression in two phases of germ granules

Most RNA-protein condensates are composed of heterogeneous immiscible phases. However, how this multiphase organization contributes to their biological functions remains largely unexplored. Drosophila germ granules, a class of RNA-protein condensates, are the site of mRNA storage and translational activation. Here, using super-resolution microscopy and single-molecule imaging approaches, we show that germ granules have a biphasic organization and that translation occurs in the outer phase and at the surface of the granules. The localization, directionality, and compaction of mRNAs within the granule depend on their translation status, translated mRNAs being enriched in the outer phase with their 5′end oriented towards the surface. Translation is strongly reduced when germ granule biphasic organization is lost. These findings reveal the intimate links between the architecture of RNA-protein condensates and the organization of their different functions, highlighting the functional compartmentalization of these condensates.

Aided Porous Medium Emulsification for Functional Hydrogel Microparticles Synthesis.

Despite the substantial advancement in developing various hydrogel microparticle (HMP) synthesis methods, emulsification through porous medium to synthesize functional hybrid protein-polymer HMPs has yet to be addressed. Here, the aided porous medium emulsification for hydrogel microparticle synthesis (APME-HMS) system, an innovative approach drawing inspiration from porous medium emulsification is introduced. This method capitalizes on emulsifying immiscible phases within a 3D porous structure for optimal HMP production. Using the APME-HMS system, synthesized responsive bovine serum albumin (BSA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) HMPs of various sizes are successfully synthesized. Preserving protein structural integrity and functionality enable the formation of cytochrome c (cyt c) - PEGDA HMPs for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection at various concentrations. The flexibility of the APME-HMS system is demonstrated by its ability to efficiently synthesize HMPs using low volumes (≈50µL) and concentrations (100µm) of proteins within minutes while preserving proteins' structural and functional properties. Additionally, the capability of the APME-HMS method to produce a diverse array of HMP types enriches the palette of HMP fabrication techniques, presenting it as a cost-effective, biocompatible, and scalable alternative for various biomedical applications, such as controlled drug delivery, 3D printing bio-inks, biosensing devices, with potential implications even in culinary applications.

Photothermal-Driven Droplet Manipulation: A Perspective.

Optofluidics, which utilizes the interactions between light and fluids to realize various functions, has garnered increasing attention owing to the advantages of operational simplicity, exceptional flexibility, rapid response, etc. As one of the typical light-fluid interactions, the localized photothermal effect serving as a stimulus has been widely used for fluid manipulation. Particularly, significant progress on photothermal-driven droplet manipulation has been made. In this perspective, recent advancements in localized photothermal effect driven droplet manipulation are summarized. First, the photothermal manipulation of droplets on open surfaces is outlined. An attractive droplet manipulation of light droplet levitation above the gas-liquid interface via localized photothermal effect is then discussed. Besides, the photothermal-driven manipulation of droplets in an immiscible liquid phase is also discussed. Although promising, further development of photothermal-driven droplet manipulation is still needed. The challenges and perspectives of this light droplet manipulation strategy for broad implementation are summarized, which will help future studies and applications.

Affinity-Controlled Partitioning of Biomolecules at Aqueous Interfaces and Their Bioanalytic Applications.

All-aqueous phase separation systems play essential roles in bioanalytical and biochemical applications. Compared to conventional oil and organic solvent-based systems, these systems are characterized by their rich bulk and interfacial properties, offering superior biocompatibility. In particular, phase separation in all-aqueous systems facilitates the creation of compartments with specific physicochemical properties, and therefore largely enhances the accessibility of the systems. In addition, the all-aqueous compartments have diverse affinities, with an important property known as partitioning, which can concentrate (bio)molecules toward distinct immiscible phases. This partitioning affinity imparts all-aqueous interfaces with selective permeability, enabling the controlled enrichment of target (bio)molecules. This review introduces the basic principles and applications of partitioning-induced interfacial phenomena in a typical all-aqueous system, namely aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs); these applications include interfacial chemical reactions, bioprinting, and assembly, as well as bio-sensing and detection. The primary challenges associated with designing all-aqueous phase separation systems and several future directions are also discussed, such as the stabilization of aqueous interfaces, the handling of low-volume samples, and exploration of suitable ATPSs compositions with the efficient protocol.

Sizing-up effect on the flow pattern and mass transfer of gas–liquid-liquid three-phase flow in microchannels

One of the important strategies for the scale-up of microreactors is sizing-up, which is conducted by increasing the hydrodynamic diameter of microreactors. However, the interphase mass transfer deteriorates seriously in the sizing-up. This work aimed to probe the possibility of adding an inert gas phase to offset the adverse effect of microreactor sizing-up on the mass transfer between two immiscible liquid phases. Using a high-speed camera, four flow patterns were observed in three capillaries with their diameters ranging from 0.8 to 3.0 mm. Empirical equations were given to describe the flow-pattern transitions. The influencing mechanism of the capillary diameter on the liquid–liquid mass transfer was analyzed by taking the effect of adding the inert gas phase into account. Finally, the evaluation of the energy consumption suggested that adding an inert gas phase to agitate the flow could utilize the input energy more efficiently to intensify the liquid–liquid mass transfer in the microchannel with a larger hydrodynamic diameter. Therefore, the method of inert gas agitation is a meritorious assistive technology in the sizing-up of microreactors.

Chemical Programming of Solubilizing, Nonequilibrium Active Droplets.

ConspectusThe multifunctionality and resilience of living systems has inspired an explosion of interest in creating materials with life-like properties. Just as life persists out-of-equilibrium, we too should try to design materials that are thermodynamically unstable but can be harnessed to achieve desirable, adaptive behaviors. Studying minimalistic chemical systems that exhibit relatively simple emergent behaviors, such as motility, communication, or self-organization, can provide insight into fundamental principles which may enable the design of more complex and life-like synthetic materials in the future.Emulsions, which are composed of liquid droplets dispersed in another immiscible fluid phase, have emerged as fascinating chemically minimal materials in which to study nonequilibrium, life-like properties. As covered in this Account, our group has focused on studying oil-in-water emulsions, specifically those which destabilize by solubilization, a process wherein oil is released into the continuous phase over time to create gradients of oil-filled micelles. These chemical gradients can create interfacial tension gradients that lead to droplet self-propulsion as well as mediate communication between neighboring oil droplets. As such, oil-in-water emulsions present an interesting platform for studying active matter. However, despite being chemically minimal with sometimes as few as three chemicals (oil, water, and a surfactant), emulsions present surprising complexity across the molecular to macroscale. Fundamental processes governing their active behavior, such as micelle-mediated interfacial transport, are still not well understood. This complexity is compounded by the challenges of studying systems out-of-equilibrium which typically require new analytical methods and may break our intuition derived from equilibrium thermodynamics.In this Account, we highlight our group's efforts toward developing chemical frameworks for understanding active and interactive oil-in-water emulsions. How do the chemical properties and physical spatial organization of the oil, water, and surfactant combine to yield colloidal-scale active properties? Our group tackles this question by employing systematic studies of active behavior working across the chemical space of oils and surfactants to link molecular structure to active behavior. The Account begins with an introduction to the self-propulsion of single, isolated droplets and how by applying biases, such as with a gravitational field or interfacially adsorbed particles, drop speeds can be manipulated. Next, we illustrate that some droplets can be attractive, as well as self-propulsive/repulsive, which does not fall in line with the current understanding of the impact of oil-filled micelle gradients on interfacial tensions. The mechanisms by which oil-filled micelles influence interfacial tensions of nonequilibrium interfaces is poorly understood and requires deeper molecular understanding. Regardless, we extend our knowledge of droplet motility to design emulsions with nonreciprocal predator-prey interactions and describe the dynamic self-organization that arises from the combination of reciprocal and nonreciprocal interactions between droplets. Finally, we highlight our group's progress toward answering key chemical questions surrounding nonequilibrium processes in emulsions that remain to be answered. We hope that our progress in understanding the chemical principles governing the dynamic nonequilibrium properties of oil-in-water droplets can help inform research in tangential research areas such as cell biology and origins of life.

Modeling and simulation of bi‐continuous jammed emulsion membrane reactors for enhanced biphasic enzymatic reactions

AbstractBi‐continuous jammed emulsion (bijel) membrane reactors, integrating simultaneous reaction and separation, offer a promising avenue for enhancing membrane reactor processes. In this study, we present a comprehensive macroscopic‐scale physicochemical model for tubular bijel membrane reactors and a numerical solution strategy for solving the governing partial differential equations. The model captures the co‐continuous network of two immiscible phases stabilized by nanoparticles at the liquid–liquid interface. We present the derivation of model equations and an efficient numerical solution strategy. The model is validated with experimental results from a conventional enzymatic biphasic membrane reactor for oleuropein hydrolysis, already reported in the literature. Simulation results indicate accurate prediction of reactor behavior, highlighting the potential superiority of bijel membrane reactors over current technologies. This research contributes a valuable tool for scale‐up, design, and optimization of bijel membrane reactors, filling a critical gap in this emerging field.

Double emulsion templates for efficient production of phase change microcapsules

The utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal storage technology exhibits great potential for various applications in thermal management and latent heat storage systems. However, leakage of organic PCMs hinders its practical application. Encapsulation of PCMs in microcapsules with polymer shells can prevent PCM leakage while improving heat transfer and stability. In this study, shell monomers were introduced as an immiscible third phase into the traditional o/w two-phase emulsion system, and the formed three-phase complex emulsion was dynamically reconfigured to exhibit a core–shell encapsulated conformation induced by interfacial tension, resulting in the formation of a thermodynamically stable double emulsion. Microcapsules with 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) shells were successfully prepared using this double emulsion as a template. The emulsion configuration is of significant advantage in promoting stable encapsulation of the phase change material in the shell material, resulting in fast and efficient encapsulation and improved utilization of the phase change material. Phase change microcapsules with different phase change temperatures were prepared and characterized using n-octadecane (C18), methyl stearate (Mes), n-eicosane (C20) and n-docosane (C22) as phase change materials, respectively. Results show that the prepared microcapsules are spherically integrated, with smooth surfaces and obvious core–shell structures, and the enthalpies of phase transition of C18, Mes, C20 and C22 microcapsules are as high as 171.86, 122.37, 165.77 and 178.69 J/g, respectively. These microcapsules exhibit excellent thermal stability and durability and the encapsulation efficiencies exceed 99.7 % at different phase change temperatures. Furthermore, the potential applications of PCM microcapsules in the field of temperature regulation were also demonstrated. This double-emulsion template method provides a straightforward, rapid and scalable approach for the mass production of microcapsules with different core–shell compositions.

Review of the Interfacial Structure and Properties of Surfactants in Petroleum Production and Geological Storage Systems from a Molecular Scale Perspective.

Surfactants play a crucial role in tertiary oil recovery by reducing the interfacial tension between immiscible phases, altering surface wettability, and improving foam film stability. Oil reservoirs have high temperatures and high pressures, making it difficult and hazardous to conduct lab experiments. In this context, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is a valuable tool for complementing experiments. It can effectively study the microscopic behaviors (such as diffusion, adsorption, and aggregation) of the surfactant molecules in the pore fluids and predict the thermodynamics and kinetics of these systems with a high degree of accuracy. MD simulation also overcomes the limitations of traditional experiments, which often lack the necessary temporal-spatial resolution. Comparing simulated results with experimental data can provide a comprehensive explanation from a microscopic standpoint. This article reviews the state-of-the-art MD simulations of surfactant adsorption and resulting interfacial properties at gas/oil-water interfaces. Initially, the article discusses interfacial properties and methods for evaluating surfactant-formed monolayers, considering variations in interfacial concentration, molecular structure of the surfactants, and synergistic effect of surfactant mixtures. Then, it covers methods for characterizing microstructure at various interfaces and the evolution process of the monolayers' packing state as a function of interfacial concentration and the surfactants' molecular structure. Next, it examines the interactions between surfactants and the aqueous phase, focusing on headgroup solvation and counterion condensation. Finally, it analyzes the influence of hydrophobic phase molecular composition on interactions between surfactants and the hydrophobic phase. This review deepened our understanding of the micro-level mechanisms of oil displacement by surfactants and is beneficial for screening and designing surfactants for oil field applications.

Chaotic Transport of Solutes in Unsaturated Porous Media.

Unsaturated porous media, characterized by the combined presence of several immiscible fluid phases in the pore space, are highly relevant systems in nature, because they control the fate of contaminants and the availability of nutrients in the subsoil. However, a full understanding of the mechanisms controlling solute mixing in such systems is still missing. In particular, the role of saturation in the development of chaotic solute mixing has remained unexplored. Using three-dimensional numerical simulations of flow and transport at the pore scale, built upon X-ray tomograms of a porous medium at different degrees of liquid (wetting)-phase saturation, we show the occurrence of chaotic dynamics in both the deformation of the solute plume, as characterized by computed chaos metrics (Lyapunov exponents), and the mixing of the injected solute. Our results show an enhancement of these chaotic dynamics at lower saturation and their occurrence even under diffusion-relevant conditions over the medium's length, also being strengthened by larger flow velocities. These findings highlight the dominant role of the pore-scale spatial heterogeneity of the system, enhanced by the presence of an immiscible phase (e.g., air), on the mixing efficiency. This represents a stepping stone for the assessment of mixing and reactions in unsaturated porous media.

Understanding the phase behavior during CO2 flooding by dissipative particle dynamics

Understanding the phase behavior of a CO2-oil–water surfactant system is critical for carbon dioxide flooding engineering. Using dissipative particle dynamics, we investigate how the alkanes in crude oil are extracted after the injection of supercritical carbon dioxide into the formation, and what effect this extraction has on the miscible and immiscible displacement of carbon dioxide and crude oil. The images of the extraction are exhibited at the molecular level, and the effects of temperature and pressure on the extraction are investigated. The phase distribution of carbon dioxide, oil, and water under immiscible phase is simulated using actual reservoir fluid data based on a comprehensive understanding of extraction. Oil tends to be spread at the interface of carbon dioxide and water when it is immiscible. The miscible pictures were generated under conditions of reduced CO2-oil–water miscible pressure by adding surfactants to the CO2-oil–water system, and the fluid distribution characteristics under immiscible and miscible phases were examined. dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation demonstrates that when the molar proportion of carbon dioxide is less than 0.4, the solid phase surface can always create a water film of varied thickness, regardless of whether the surface charge of the solid phase is positive or negative. As the molar fraction of carbon dioxide increases, the water film’s thickness decreases.

Mass Transfer Performance of a Rotating Spiral: Comparison with Conventional Contacting Methods

Previous work by the authors develops a novel technology for counter-current contacting of immiscible fluid phases based on a rotating spiral channel. The work has established theoretical modelling allowing prediction of mass transfer rates for physical absorption and desorption of dilute solute species and has verified the main hydrodynamic elements of the theory, with experimental measurements over a wide range of flow rates and liquid viscosity. A key feature of rotating spiral contacting is that the relative thicknesses of the phase layers is constant throughout the contacting process and, along with the relative phase flow rates, can be varied regardless of phase and solute properties to produce optimum conditions for the contacting. It has been shown that there are two criteria that determine the optimum. First, the flow rate ratio of the phases is matched to the equilibrium distribution of the solute between the two phases, so that sufficient solvent phase flows to allow full removal of solute from the processed stream. Second, the relative layer thicknesses should maximise specific throughput, i.e. the flow rate of the processed stream per device volume. These ideas of optimum contacting guide a comparison here of recent mass transfer data for the spiral with corresponding literature data for the packed column and rotating packed bed.