Correlation of Mass Transfer Volumetric Coefficient with Power Input in Stirred Liquid-Liquid Dispersions

A continuous-phase mass transfer volumetric coefficient kLa in stirred liquid-liquid dispersions was measured under many stirring conditions by using the hydrolysis reaction of ester with sodium hydroxide. Droplet diameter was also observed with a microscope during the period of reaction progress, allowing the continuous-phase mass transfer coefficient kL to be determined. The resultant kL was correlated with the power input per unit volume and the Sauter mean diameter d32. With the help of the kL correlation equation, d32 was well correlated with the power input per unit volume swept out by the impeller. The kLa values estimated from both the kL correlation equation and the d32 correlation equation agreed well with the observed values.