Techniques for the measurement of kinetics in solvent extraction systems

Abstract

Solvent extraction processes are used extensively in the production of non-ferrous metals, recovery and recycling of metal ions from waste streams and the separation of various organic solutes. Traditionally, such processes were designed on the basis that the two liquid phases were brought to equilibrium in long residence time contactors such as mixer settlers and therefore requiring only equilibrium data. However, the recent influx of short contact time equipment, such as columns, membrane units etc., requires that the kinetics of the reaction and mass transfer rates be included in the design. In this article we review recent developments in the equipment for the measurement of kinetics in ..