Introduction to Liquid Liquid Extraction

Liquid liquid Extraction is a mass transfer operation in which liquid feed solution is brought to
contact with immiscible or nearly immiscible liquid solvent which exhibits preferential affinity
or selectivity towards one or more of the components in the feed. In other words its a method in
which desired component is pulled or separated from solution with the help of another solvent
which is more soluble in that component or has ability to dissolve that desired component. As a
result two streams are formed.
1. Extract is the solution containing the maximum amount of desired
component (extracted solute)
2. Raffinate is the residual feed solution containing lower amount of desired
component (solute).

Why Liquid Liquid Extraction is Important

Liquid Liquid extraction is also known as solvent extraction. When distillation is ineffective or
difficult to separate components, usually in case of very close boiling liquids then Liquid Liquid
extraction method is the main alternate to consider. A method in which desired component is
separated on the basis of the relative solubility in two different immiscible Liquids.

Liquid Liquid Extraction Principle

Liquid Liquid extraction is carried out in test tubes or flask, two inmmiscible liquids are
contacted with other before shaking both layers can be seen clearly from the picture. Then shake
well to allow the molecules dissolve in the preferred one.

Extract and Raffinate Treatment

After the extraction process, further processing steps necessary for solvent recovery and extract
purification. In the normal extraction process. both the leaving phases require processing the
extract and raffinate. Extract require some additional washing steps before going to the
regeneration, mostly a rectification column. where solvent is separated from the extract and then
recycled back to the extraction column.

In other phase, raffinate contain the small quantities of solvent so it also require some treatment
which is necessary. As the solvent is constantly recycled so there is the risk of accumulation of
impurities which often occur. These impurities may cause the problem for extraction process. It
is better to treat the small part of solvent continuously through cleaning step.

Liquid Liquid Extraction Equipment

As in the separation processes of distillation, the two phases in liquid-liquid extraction must be
brought into intimate contact with a high degree of turbulence in order to obtain high masstransfer rates.
In distillation, density difference is large so the separation is easy and rapid. While in Liquid
Liquid extraction, there is not large density difference so it is difficult.
In Liquid Liquid Extraction, there are two ways for mixing either by agitator or by fluid flow
themselves.

Mixer-Settles for Extraction

Separate mixer-settler

Combined mixer-settler

Plate and Agitated Tower Contactors for Extraction

Perforated plate tower

Agitated extraction tower

Extraction Towers

Spray-type extraction tower

Packed extraction tower

A packed tower (Fig. 4a) is a cylindrical shell, the bulk of which is filled with manufactured
packing, such as rings or saddles, randomly arranged. The more dense liquid, introduced at the
top, flows downward as a continuum. The less dense liquid enters at the bottom through small
nozzles. The resulting small droplets rise through the heavy liquid, during which time extraction
occurs, and then coalesce into a bulk and leave at the top. The packing serves to maintain the
dispersion and provide moderate turbulence. The dispersed liquid may be either feed or solvent,
light or heavy. If it is heavy, the droplets settle downward. Although the liquids are not
repeatedly dispersed and settled as in the multistage mixer-settler, nevertheless multistage effects
are obtained. Spray towers contain no packing and are not as effective. See also: Gas absorption
operations

Fig. 4 Vertical tower extractors. (a) Packed-tower extractor. (b) Perforated-tray extractor. (After
R. E. Treybal, Mass Transfer Operations, 2d ed., McGraw-Hill, 1968)
In perforated-tray towers (Fig. 4b) the light liquid collects in a layer under each tray and is
dispersed into droplets by the small perforations. The drops rise through the heavy liquid, which
flows across each tray and through the downspouts. The frequent redispersion achieved makes
these towers very effective. Alternatively, by turning the tower upside down, the heavy liquid
may be dispersed.
Mechanical agitation, provided by rotating impellers as in the towers of Fig.5 a, b, and c, is used
to obtain finer dispersions and increased turbulence. The pulsed tower (Fig.5 d) provides the
mechanical agitation by rapid (20-100 cycles/min), small-amplitude (0.25-2 in. or 0.64-5.0 cm),
reciprocating motion superimposed upon the natural flow of liquids as they alternately pass
through small perforations in the plates. This is particularly useful for handling radioactive
liquids, since moving parts may be located in a place of safety.
In all these designs, the tower diameter is governed by the quantity of liquids to be handled, the
height by the number of stages of extraction required. Towers up to 15 ft (4.8 m) in diameter and
125 ft (38 m) tall have been built. Auxiliary equipment may include pumps for movement of the
liquids, motor drives for agitators, valves and flowmeters for control of flow rates, and liquidlevel control instruments.

Bubble Cap Trays

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Posted by Jack on September 17, 2009

in Trays and Packing

In bubble cap trays, vapor flowing up through the tower contacts the liquid by passing through
bubble caps (Figure 6-7a). Each bubble cap assembly consists of a riser and a cap. The vapor
rising through the column passes up through the riser in the tray floor and then is turned
downward to bubble into the liquid surrounding the cap. Because of their design, bubble cap
trays cannot weep. However bubble cap trays are also more expensive and have a lower
capacity/higher pressure drop than valve trays or sieve trays.

Bubble Cap and Packing Distillation Tower

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Posted by and on June 3, 2013
in Gas Processing
In trays and bubble cap distillation tower the holes in each tray are covered with caps called
bubble caps. The slots in these bubble caps disperse the raising vapor through the liquid on the
tray. Each bubble cap has many slots and each tray has many bubble caps to spread up the vapor.
This ensures maximum contact between vapor and liquid so that maximum heat transfer can take
place.
Another type of tower called the pack tower contains layers of devices called packing instead of
trays with bubble cap. There are many different type of packing, some tower have section filled
with cylindrical ring known as raschig ring another type of packing is known as a berl saddle.
The packing breaks up the liquid so that it flows over a large amount of surface area. This
exposes more liquid to the vapor and increase heat transfer from the vapor to the liquid. Packing
can be made from many different materials including porcelain, cooper, aluminum and iron. The
main requirement is that the material must be compatible with the liquid in the tower and the
condition under wish the tower is operated.

Packing grid
Each layer in the grid has spaces for vapor to rise through the packing on the way up the tower.
Liquid flow over these surfaces which channel the liquid as it flow down the tower. Packing grid
provides a great deal of surface area where contact between the vapors and liquid can take place
so heat transfer is maximized.

1. Packed tower

Prinsip kerja Packed tower

Campuran gas yang merupakan keluaran dari reaktor diumpankan ke
bawah menara absorber. Di dalam absorber terjadi kontak antar dua fasa yaitu
fasa gas dan fasa cair mengakibatkan perpindahan massa difusional dalam
umpan gas dari bawah menara ke dalam pelarut air sprayer yang diumpankan
dari bagian atas menara. Jadi gas kontaminan akan larut dalam cairan dan
udarabersih akan dilepaskan ke atmosfer melalui atas tower. Peristiwa absorbsi
ini terjadi pada sebuah kolom yang berisi packing dengan beberapa tingkat.
Keluaran dari absorber pada tingkat I mengandung larutan dari gas yang
dimasukkan tadi.