Study of the Mass Transfer Behavior in a Centrifugal Contactor and Verification of the Solvent Extraction Model for the SX Process Program

Abstract

The SX Process program has been developed for modelling of extraction processes in centrifugal contactors where the transfer kinetics is of big importance due to the short hold up time. Apparent distribution ratios are calculated using a stage efficiency which is flow-rate independent. In this work the dependency of the stage efficiency on parameters affecting the extraction transfer rate, such as metal loading, O/A ratio and acidity, has been investigated in single stage centrifugal contactor experiments for extraction of americium(III) into a 0.015 M CyMe₄-BTBP/0.25 M DMDOHEMA/octanol system. A model is proposed on how to calculate the stage efficiency and to accurately predict the apparent distribution ratios under the different conditions used.

Keywords:

• Solvent extraction modelling, mass transfer, centrifugal contactor, stage efficiency, CyMe4-BTBP

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Paul Carbol is acknowledged for the help with the gamma measurements.