The Use of an Ionic Liquid in a Karr Reciprocating Plate Extraction Column: Drop Size Distribution

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) offer a new class of fluids for solvent extraction. This work presents drop size distribution data for the [bmim][PF₆]/water system and examines the basis of existing drop size prediction models developed for traditional organic/aqueous systems in a Karr reciprocating plate column and recommends how they may be used for these new class of materials.

Keywords:

• drop size distribution
• ionic liquid
• karr reciprocating plate column
• solvent extraction

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was made possible from the financial support of the Australian Research Council (ARC), GlaxoSmithKline Australia Ltd. (GSK), and the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre (PFPC).