A simplified hydrodynamic model for a pulsed sieve-plate extraction column

A simplified stage-wise hydrodynamic model for simulation of a pulsed sieve-plate extraction column has been presented. The model is based on a drop population balance which takes into account drop breakage and coalescence in each stage. Each stage is represented by the actual column compartment between two sieve plates. Although experimental break-up parameters have been used in the model, the coalescence coefficients have been taken as the fitting parameters and the values which gave the best fit with the experimental data have been used. The predicted values have been compared with data from two different diameter pilot plant columns and the agreement is found to be quite satisfactory for the system butylacetate-water. The model can be used for coalescence parameter estimation of different drop sizes, which will be taken up as part of the extension of the present work.