Extraction with chemical reaction through the plane liquid-liquid interface effect of interfacial turbulence on extraction rate-

Extraction of an organic acid in an organic solvent by the aqueous solution of caustic soda through the plane interface has been studied. MIBK and isobutanol were used as the organic solvents. The extraction rate, NA, increased with the initial alkali concentration, CB0, up to maximum NA, where CB0 became nearly equal to the initial concentration of the acid, CA0. Then NA decreased with CB0 and became constant when CB0 was more than twice CA0. These results may be explained as follows. The extraction rate is enhanced by the effect of the reaction in the range of CB0 below CA0. When CB0 is higher than CB0 the reducing effect by the depression of the interfacial turbulence on the extraction rate overcomes the enhancement effect of the reaction. Then the reaction takes place at the interface and the extraction rate becomes constant. A simple diffusion-mixing zone model was proposed. The effect of interfacial turbulence on the extraction rate was discussed on the basis of the model. As a result, NA calculated from the model was in good agreement with the experimental one. © 1976, Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan. All rights reserved.