An internal recycle mixer for solvent extraction. Mass transfer characterization with liquid surfactant membranes

A novel internal recycle mixing device, in which the solvent-to-feed ratio may be enhanced without the introduction of an external recycle stream, is proposed. The device was tested on, and found to be effective for, the extraction of ammonia from water using a liquid surfactant membrane (LM) system. A detailed model of the mass transfer processes occurring within the system is presented and used to develop an equation suitable for th sizing of LM contactors. This equation accounts for the effect of the internal reagent on the overall mass transfer rate. The experimental data are in favorable agreement with the model predictions.