Solvent Extraction and Gas Absorption Using Microchannel Contactors

Microchannel devices offer many technical advantages over conventional technologies for chemical separations. The overall objective for microchemical separations is to achieve extremely high throughput per unit hardware volume by engineering devices with high contact area to volume ratios, micro-thin films, and uniform flow distribution. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s proprietary sheet architecture is being used to construct microchannel devices consisting of channels that are 50 to 500 μm deep and separated by porous contactor plates. Rapid mass transfer occurs between immiscible fluids, both gases and liquids, as they flow through the channels. By immobilizing the interface, both co-current and counter-current flow are achieved. The resulting improvements in heat and mass transfer rates through the devices result in dramatic improvements in productivity and efficiency.