AN INTERFEROMETRIC STUDY OF INTERFACIAL TURBULENCE ACCOMPANYING MASS TRANSFER - WATER-ACETIC ACID-BENZENE

Interfacial turbulence accompanying mass transfer was studied for the system benzene-acetic acid-water using a diffusion cell in which steady-state conditions could be attained. A continuous film record of the transfer process in both unsteady- and steady-state regimes was made using a four-beam interferometer powered by a laser beam light source. Over-all concentration differences of 5, 10, and 30% acetic acid were used. Motion at the interface was observed during unsteady- and steady-state transfer. The frequency of the disturbances increased and the amplitude decreased as the concentration driving force increased. The amplitudes and periods measured were larger than predicted by theory, although in qualitative agreement with predicted magnitude trends as a function of concentration driving force. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.