Intensified Eu(III) extraction using ionic liquids in small channels

Abstract

The extraction of Eu(III) from nitric acid solutions was studied in intensified small scale separation units using an ionic liquid solution (0.2M n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyphosphine oxide (CMPO)-1.2M Tributylphosphate) (TBP)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide; ([C4min][NTf2])as the extraction phase. The investigations were carried out in channels with 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm diameter for phase flowrates that result in plug flow with the aqueous solution as the dispersed phase. The interfacial area in plug flow and the velocity profiles within the plugs were studied with high speed imaging and bright field micro Particle Image Velocimetry. Distribution and mass transfer coefficients were found to have maximum values at nitric acid concentration of 1M. Mass transfer coefficients were higher in the small channel, where recirculation within the plugs and interfacial area are large, compared to the large channel for the same mixture velocities and phase flow rates. Within the same channel, mass transfer coefficients decreased with increasing residence time indicating that significant mass transfer takes place at the channel inlet where the two phases come into contact. The experimental results were compared with previous correlations on mass transfer coefficients in plug flows.

Studies on mass transfer of europium(III) in micro-channels using a micro Laser Induced Fluorescence technique

“…One of the many areas that small scale units can be applied is in the extraction of lanthanides [15]. Lanthanides, such as europium(III), play a growing role in modern society, and find applications in LEDs, laser technology, luminescent lighting, and as industrial catalysts [16].…”

Experimental Methodology for Kinetic Acquisitions Using High Velocities in a Microfluidic Device

“…Some authors are now using microfluidics to study mass transfer in the nuclear field [9][10][11][12] and fewer attempts exist to determine the intrinsic constants governing it [13,14]. They are characterized by the absence of a diffuse layer [15].…”

The effect of the size of square microchannels on hydrodynamics and mass transfer during liquid‐liquid slug flow

“…Mass‐transfer phenomenon in two‐phase MCs and MRs has been studied in the literature . Some researchers have investigated mass transfer in the liquid‐liquid slug flow using different sizes of capillaries . Ghaini et al studied three different diameters of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillaries using Y‐shaped mixing junctions.…”

“…Further, Xu et al used three different sizes of PTFE capillaries (0.6, 0.8, and 1 mm) to investigate mass transfer in the slug flow regime and contrarily; they observed the remarkable enhancement of K L a with the decrease in MC size. Recently, Li and Angeli investigated Eu(III) extraction inside 0.2 and 0.5 mm circular MCs. They observed the significant increment of the interfacial area, however, the overall volumetric mass‐transfer coefficient was inconsiderably enhanced with the decrement of the MC diameter.…”

“…Literature review reveals that the hydraulic diameter of square/rectangular MCs has not been investigated. While there are limited results on the influence of the circular MC size on mass transfer, the simultaneous investigation of hydrodynamics and mass transfer inside different diameters of capillaries at constant flow velocity has only been addressed by Xu et al On the other hand, due to the presence of corners in the structure of square/rectangular MCs, circulation patterns inside slugs can be different from those in the circular MCs, resulting in different mass‐transfer performances. The objective of the present work was, therefore, investigation of the effects of the square MC size on hydrodynamics and mass‐transfer coefficients during the liquid‐liquid slug flow.…”