Correlation of Mass Transfer Volumetric Coefficient with Power Input in Stirred Liquid-Liquid Dispersions

Abstract

A continuous-phase mass transfer volumetric coefficient k_La in stirred liquid-liquid dispersions was measured under many stirring conditions by using the hydrolysis reaction of ester with sodium hydroxide. Droplet diameter was also observed with a microscope during the period of reaction progress, allowing the continuous-phase mass transfer coefficient k_L to be determined. The resultant k_L was correlated with the power input per unit volume and the Sauter mean diameter d₃₂. With the help of the k_L correlation equation, d₃₂ was well correlated with the power input per unit volume swept out by the impeller. The k_La values estimated from both the k_L correlation equation and the d₃₂ correlation equation agreed well with the observed values.