Sedimentation and Coalescence Profiles in Liquid‐Liquid Batch Settling Experiments

Abstract

A simple mathematical method for predicting the phase separation profiles of a batch liquid-liquid dispersion is developed based on the empirical description of drops resting at a liquid-liquid plane interface. The inflexion time, at which the sedimentation zone vanishes, can be obtained by analysis of the coalescence profile. Therefore, the sedimentation profile can be predicted and the size of drop and interfacial area can be estimated. The experiments were carried out with an O/W-type dispersion of kerosene-water system in a 154 mm I.D. mixing vessel. The experimental results agree well with the model prediction. Other experimental data in the literature were also adopted for testing the model.

Drop coalescence in technical liquid/liquid applications: a review on experimental techniques and modeling approaches

“…The initial dispersion height and the settler diameter were found to have a significant impact on the separation time rather than the mixing conditions. The experimental data were also later used by several authors to validate their models (Henschke et al 2002, Yu andMao 2004). The effect of agitation time on separation behavior was also studied by Kyuchoukov and Kounev (1998).…”

Coalescence Modeling for Design of Technical Equipment

“…Eq. clearly differs from different film drainage models and especially from the known equation of Coulaloglou and Tavlarides, Eq. .…”

On-line measurement of separation dynamics in primary gas/oil/water separators: Challenges and technical solutions—A review

“…The characterisation of coalescence and settling processes in gravity oil-water separators has been investigated by studying batch settling (Hartland and Jeelani, 1988;Kyuchoukov and Kounev, 1998;Henschke et al, 2002;Yu and Mao, 2004). A clear limitation of such tests is the lack of cross-flow in the horizontal direction, which would influence the droplet dynamics; however, the experiments in batch separators can be easily repeated and compared with each other, and the equipment is less expensive.…”