Reactive Zinc Extraction in MRDC Column; Case Study by Mathematical Modelling and Applying the Droplet Size Distribution with Forward Mixing Approach

Abstract

In this survey, the reactive mass transfer data are determined for zinc extraction from chloride solution using D2EHPA in the MRDC extraction column. The numerical analysis for evaluating the column performance is applied to describe mass balance equations. Four mathematical models (backflow, forward mixing, plug flow, and axial dispersion) are investigated to compute the mass transfer coefficients of the dispersed phase. The solvent extraction experiments showed that the optimum zinc transport efficiency in rotor speed of 410 rpm in this column is equal to 98.85% and 99.85 for extraction and stripping stages, respectively. The model's achievement is compared with the solvent extraction data and a significant validity is obtained by coupling the forward mixing approach. The mathematical modeling expresses that the coefficients of axial dispersion and backflow based on the continuous phase increase by an increase in the rotor speed and inlet continuous phase rate. While these coefficients reduce at a higher inlet dispersed phase rate. The FMM method is preferred to predict the reactive mass transfer rate in the MRDC column due to the lowest relative deviation. The experimental study and mathematical modeling in this report provide beneficial information about the metallurgical industry to design solvent extraction equipment.