Modeling Phase Inversion in a Mixer-Settler

A mathematical model has been developed to simulate the phase inversion criteria from which the area of a mixer-settler unit can be obtained. The general slip velocity correlation used for continuous differential contactors design has been used for the stagewise units. However, a new functional relationship between the slip velocity and the ratio of the fractional holdups of both phases has been found to fit the stagewise cases. Some published data have been used to check the validity of the model, and excellent agreement has been realized.