Hydrocarbon Extraction into Surfactant Phase with Nonionic Surfactants. II. Model

Abstract

The solubilization kinetics of an extraction process of oil with an aqueous micellar solution of a nonionic surfactant has been modeled. The model is directly related to the phase diagram, allowing a simple form which explains the main effects. The theoretical results show the adsorption process of surfactant at the phase interfaces to provide the main resistance to the mass transfer processes. The values of adsorption rates, and of some of the diffusion coefficients obtained, compare well with the earlier experimental results.