Performance of Spray, Sieve Tray, and Packed Contactors for High Pressure Extraction

Abstract

The performance of various contactors in high pressure extraction service was studied. The mass transfer efficiency of a spray column and columns filled with sieve trays, 1.27 cm ceramic Raschig rings, and no. 15 metal Intalox saddles were obtained from a “windowed” high pressure extraction column with an internal diameter of 9.88 cm and a column height of 168 cm. The extraction column has an internal diameter of 9.88 cm and a contacting height of 168 cm. Glass windows in the extractor allowed visual observation and photography. Supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide were used to extract isopropanol from water at pressures of 81 to 150 atmospheres and 297 to 318 [ddot]K. The sieve tray extractor yielded the highest mass transfer efficiency followed closely by Raschig rings and metal Intalox saddles. The spray column was by far the least efficient. The mass transfer efficiency was observed to be independent of the operating conditions studied in this work. Sauter mean drop diameters and dispersed phase (free) hold-up were also obtained in this work. These data will provide a reliable high pressure mass transfer and hydraulic database for future correlation and design efforts.