This work introduced a novel microchannel extractor. The extraction system
was to extract lanthanum nitrate aqueous solution with 2-ethylhexyl
phosphoric acid-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHEHPA). Different feeding methods and
inner rotors were explored first. The results showed that parallel feeding
and inner rotors engraved with spiral stripes were more favorable for
extraction. Next, the effect of various factors on the extraction was
explored, including the pH of the aqueous phase, rotational inner rotor
speed (R) and the fluid volumetric flow rate (Q). The results showed that
these factors are closely related to the extraction. Finally, the experiment
was verified by CFD numerical simulation, the simulation result was
consistent with the experiment. In this device, active mixing was introduced
into the microchannel extraction, which significantly improved the
extraction efficiency. Under certain conditions, the extraction efficiency
of this device exceeded stirring extraction equilibrium. Moreover, the
extraction in this device is faster than conventional stirring extraction.
These advantages provide a possibility for highly efficient extraction and
use of rare earth elements.