Enhanced mass transfer by liquid-liquid slug flow in microchannels for efficient extraction

Nobuaki Aoki, Teng Hong Khoo, Yoshihito Okubo, Kazuhiro Mae

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    The internal circulation liquid-liquid slug flow in microchannels intensifies mass transfer between the two phases. In this work, effectiveness of the slug flow in a narrow channel for the extraction of phenol from dodecane to water was first investigated. Extraction based on slug flow and that based on emulsion generated by a micromixer was compared from the viewpoint of the total operation time for extraction and separation of the two phases. The results showed that the enhanced circulation flow in slugs by increasing flow rate enables rapid extraction. Moreover, large slug length compared with emulsion diameter allows instant separation of the two phases after the extraction. Required time for extraction based on emulsion is shorter than that based on slug flow. However, it takes more than a few hours to separate the two phases due to the small emulsion size (∼50 μm). Thus, the extraction based on slug flow is preferable to that based on emulsion from the viewpoint of the total operation time for the entire extraction process. Then, the effects of operating parameters such as ratio of oil phase volume flow rate to total flow rate and outlet channel i.d. were examined. The result showed that appropriate operating condition improves extraction efficiency in slug flow.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationTopical Conference on Applications of Micro-Reactor Engineering 2007, Held at the 2007 AIChE Spring National Meeting
    PublisherAIChE
    Pages111-117
    Number of pages7
    ISBN (Electronic)9781604233506
    Publication statusPublished - 2014
    EventTopical Conference on Applications of Micro-Reactor Engineering 2007, Held at the 2007 AIChE Spring National Meeting - Houston, United States
    Duration: 2007 Apr 222007 Apr 27

    Publication series

    NameTopical Conference on Applications of Micro-Reactor Engineering 2007, Held at the 2007 AIChE Spring National Meeting

    Other

    OtherTopical Conference on Applications of Micro-Reactor Engineering 2007, Held at the 2007 AIChE Spring National Meeting
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityHouston
    Period07/4/2207/4/27

    Keywords

    • Extraction
    • Internal circulation flow
    • Liquid-liquid slug flow
    • Mass transfer
    • Microchnnel

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Process Chemistry and Technology
    • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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