Abstract:
The mathematical model for the estimation of mass transfer coefficients at the extraction of thiols from gasoline with alkaline
solutions was established by processing the data proceeding from the laboratory experiment and then from a pilot plant. Three sets of
data were obtained, one for each case: the laboratory column with dispersion, the laboratory column equipped with a low specific area
packing (ap= 60 m2/m3) and a great porosity (ε=0.98) and one in a micropilot size column equipped with Sulzer packing
having a much larger specific area (ap= 340m2/m3) and similar porosity (ε=0.96). For each installation, three different
thiols at three different NaOH concentrations were tested. The experimental data were statistically analysed and processed
using the programs SPSS and CurveExpert. The emerging mathematical model- applied separately to each thiol- allows
the estimation of overall mass transfer coefficients, taking into account the following parameters: the dispersed phase
velocity, the concentration of NaOH solution, the specific area and the porosity of the packing. The existing model could
serve in the oil processing, at dimensioning the alkaline refining of petroleum fractions and also, at the simulation of the
said extraction columns.
Keywords:
liquid- liquid extraction, mass transfer, modelling, packed columns
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