The Taylor-Couette Disc Contactor: A Novel Apparatus for Liquid/Liquid Extraction

In the present project, the design of the Rotating Disc Contactor (RDC) has been fundamentally simplified and optimized in terms of separation efficiency, load capacity, and suitability for downstream processing of bio-based materials. Optimized performance was obtained when the stator discs were abandoned and their function was adopted by enlarged rotor discs. Mass transfer experiments showed improved separation efficiency in the novel apparatus, while the operating range was simultaneously increased. Due to recurring drop formation and re-coalescence in every compartment, large droplets were not observed, resulting in a narrower drop size distribution compared to the RDC.

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