Stochastic Comparisons of Probability Distribution Functions with Experimental Data in a Liquid-Liquid Extraction Column for Determination of Drop-Size Distributions

The droplet-sized distribution in the column is usually represented as the average volume-to-surface area, known as the Sauter-mean drop diameter. It is a key variable in the extraction column design. A study of the drop-sized distribution and Sauter-mean drop diameter for a liquid-liquid extraction column has been presented for a range of operating conditions and three different liquid-liquid systems. The effects of rotor speed and dispersed and continuous phase velocities on drop-sized distribution are investigated. Drop-sized distribution is appropriately described using the normal and log-normal probability density functions. The mathematical approach is used to determine the constant parameters in these functions and to provide the fit of the experimental data with them. In addition, empirical expressions are derived to predict the parameters of the distribution curve as a function of operating variables and physical properties of the systems. Good agreement between the outcomes of both the prediction and experiments was achieved for all the investigated operating conditions. An empirical correlation is also proposed to predict the Sauter-mean drop diameter with mean deviation of 9.8 %.