Koaleszenzprobleme in chemischen Prozessen

Coalescence problems in chemical processes. Separation of liquid/liquid dispersions is a process step which often gives rise to considerable difficulties on an industrial scale. A number of selected examples taken from chemical processes demonstrates where phase separations occur, the consequences they may have, and what industrially practicable methods are available for their solution. The problem analysis presented starts from the mechanism of generation of the dispersion and leads to a qualitative characterization of the various coalescence problems without presuming any knowledge of the droplet spectrum. This procedure acquires important knowledge from an assessment of prior process steps. Measures for improvement are deduced from the causes of poor phase separation: modification of physical properties, change of dispersion, use of mechanical separation aids (packings, coalescing filters), application of an electrical field, centrifuges and hydrocyclones, coalescence‐promoting chemical additives. Industrially applicable methods are reported for design of equipment for implementation of these approaches.