Single-Phase Flow Studies Using Radioactive Particle Tracking in an Air-Pulsed Column Having a Novel Plate Internal

Abstract

The transport processes in liquid−liquid extraction pulsed columns are significantly influenced by the localized flow field in the column. The localized flow field refers to the local timeaveraged velocity and fluctuations present within the pulsed column. To investigate the microscale flow field in the pulsed column, the radioactive particle tracking technique is employed. The flow characteristics for a single-phase flow are investigated in a pulsed column with a diameter of 75 mm. In this research, a novel slotted plate is employed as an internal component under pulsatile flow conditions. The study focuses on analyzing the single-phase hydrodynamics within the column for a range of pulsation velocities and water flow rates. Various flow parameters are computed for all of the experimental conditions to assess the effectiveness of the slotted plate within the pulsed column. The findings indicate that the pulsing action generates significant fluctuations in velocity, even at low mean flow velocities. Despite the predominance of axial flow velocity in the column, radial motion also plays an important role. The occurrence of overall downward flow reduces axial fluctuations, leading to the decreased axial root-mean-square velocity (RMS) and turbulent kinetic energy compared with those of no net flow. As the water flow increases, both axial and radial RMS velocities become of the same order, resulting in uniform and homogeneous mixing. Consequently, the slotted plate can be an advantageous baffle type for systems with high liquid throughput. The results from this study offer valuable insight into dispersion in both the radial and axial directions in pulsed columns employing slotted plates.

Honoring Prof. Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

“…Fleite et al demonstrate the feasibility of determining solid particle motion in a lamellar settler using radioactive particle tracking and extracting dynamic information from a two-dimensional (2D) reconstruction. Pillajetti et al employ radioactive particle tracking to investigate microscale flow fields in liquid–liquid extraction pulsed columns, focusing on a novel slotted plate design under pulsatile flow conditions. Their findings provide insights into dispersion patterns in pulsed columns, aiding in the optimization of extraction processes.…”