EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE OIL-WATER OIL LIQUID-MEMBRANE SEPARATION OF TOLUENE AND NORMAL-HEPTANE .2. CONTINUOUS TEST OF A COUNTERCURRENT PERMEATOR

Abstract

A countercurrent permeator of the modified Oldshue-Rushton type was designed and used for the continuous liquid-membrane separation of toluene and n-heptane. As in the batch test (Part I of this series) the system parameters were systematically varied to analyze the performance of the permeator. In addition to the parameters for the batch system, hydrodynamic variables (such as emulsion viscosity, specific gravity difference between the emulsion aggregates and the solvent, and flow rates) played important roles. It is recommended that total emulsification should be avoided for a stable operation of the permeator, and optimum ranges of individual operating conditions are proposed.