MASS-TRANSFER STUDIES IN LIQUID MEMBRANE HYDROCARBON SEPARATIONS

The effects of operating parameters on mass transfer coefficients of benzene permeating through liquid surfactant membranes have been studied. The study indicates that major resistance to mass transfer lies in the aqueous membrane phase. Mixing intensities used in forming the emulsion and dispersing it in the external phase have relatively less influence. Using a simple membrane film model approach, these mass transfer coefficients can be predicted within reasonable limits. The membrane film thickness to be used in these predictions varies with the holdup of micro phase in the emulsion, and can be estimated from the recently proposed equation of Kataoka . © 1990.