Contactor-based solvent extraction

Modolo, G., Asp, H., Vijgen, H., Malmbeck, R., Magnusson, D., Sorel, C. 2008. Demonstration of a TODGA-based continuous counter-current extraction process for the partitioning of actinides from a simulated PUREX raffinate, Part II Centrifugal contactor runs. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange 26(1) 62-76. 

The 3.3-cm Russian contactors were used to test a cobalt-dicarbollide-based solvent-extraction process for separating Cs, Sr, and the actinides from dissolved HLW (Law et al., 2001, Herbst et al., 2002). These contactors were designed and fabricated in Moscow, Russia, by the Research and Development Institute of Construction Technology (NIKIMT). They are operated at 2700 rpm and have a nominal throughput of 417 mL/min (25 L/h). Figure 10.25 shows the 26-stage 3.3-cm contactor bank used in these tests. A recent summary of this work is given by Romanovskiy et al. (2005). 

Figure 23.3 Detail view of the two-phase system in membrane-based solvent extraction (MBSE) in contactor with hydrophobic wall.

Kertesz, R. and Schlosser, S. (2005) Design and simulation of two phase hollow-fiber contactors for simultaneous membrane-based solvent extraction and stripping of organic acids and bases. Separation and Purification Technology, 41, 275. 

Sciubba, L., Di Gioia, D., Fava, F. and Gostoli, C. (2008) Membrane-based solvent extraction of vanilin in hollow-fiber contactors, accepted for publication in Desalination. 

Membrane-based solvent extraction and stripping of phenylalanine in HF contactors. Journal of Membrane Science, 257, 37. 

Kubisova, L., Sabolova, E., Schlosser, S., Martak, J. and Kertesz, R. (2002) Membrane-based solvent extraction and stripping of a heterocyclic carboxylic acid in hollow-fiber contactors. Desalination, 148, 205. 

Schlosser, ., Sabolova, E. and Martak, J. (2001) Pertraction and membrane-based solvent extraction of carboxylic adds in hollow-fiber contactors, in Solvent Extraction for the 21st Century (eds M. Valiente and M. Hidalgo), Society of Chemical Industries, London, p. 1041. 

Processes for production of ethanol and acetone-butanol-ethanol mixture from fermentation products in membrane contactor devices were presented in Refs. [88,89]. Recovery of butanol from fermentation was reported in Ref. [90]. Use of composite membrane in a membrane reactor to separate and recover valuable biotechnology products was discussed in Refs. [91,92]. A case study on using membrane contactor modules to extract small molecular weight compounds of interest to pharmaceutical industry was shown in Ref. [93]. Extraction of protein and separation of racemic protein mixtures were discussed in Refs. [94,95]. Extractions of ethanol and lactic acid by membrane solvent extraction are reported in Refs. [96,97]. A membrane-based solvent extraction and stripping process was discussed in Ref. [98] for recovery of Phenylalanine. Extraction of aroma compounds from aqueous feed solutions into sunflower oil was investigated in Ref. [99]. 

Kertesz R, Schlosser S, and Simo M, Membrane bases solvent extraction and stripping of Phenylalanine in HE contactors. Euromembrane 2004, Hamburg, Germany, September 28-October 1, 2004. 

Kubisova L, Sabolova E, Schlosser S, Martak J, and Kertesz R. Mass-transfer in membrane based solvent extraction and stripping of 5-methyl-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid and co-transport of sulphuric acid in HE contactors. Desalination, 2004 163(1-3) 27-38. 

Coelhoso I.M., Silcivestre P., Viegas R.M.C., Crespo J.P.S.G., and Carrondo M.J.T., Membrane-based solvent extraction and stripping of lactate in hollow-fiber contactors. J. Membr. Sci. 134, 19-32, 1997. 

The mass-transfer efficiencies of various MHF contactors have been studied by many researchers. Dahuron and Cussler [AlChE 34(1), pp. 130-136 (1988)] developed a membrane mass-transfer coefficient model (k ) Yang and Cussler [AIChE /., 32(11), pp. 1910-1916 (1986)] developed a shell-side mass-transfer coefficient model (ks) for flow directed radially into the fibers and Prasad and Sirkar [AIChE /., 34(2), pp. 177-188 (1988)] developed a tube-side mass-transfer coefficient model (k,). Additional studies have been published by Prasad and Sirkar [ Membrane-Based Solvent Extraction, in Membrane Handbook, Ho and Sirkar, eds. (Chapman Hall, 1992)] by Reed, Semmens, and Cussler [ Membrane Contactors, Membrane Separations Technology Principle. and Applications, Noble and Stern, eds. (Elsevier, 1995)] by Qin and Cabral [MChE 43(8), pp. 1975-1988 (1997)] by Baudot, Floury, and Smorenburg [AIChE ]., 47(8), pp. 1780-1793 (2001)] by GonzSlez-Munoz et al. [/. Memhane Sci., 213(1-2), pp. 181-193 (2003) and J. Membrane Sci., 255(1-2), pp. 133-140 (2005)] by Saikia, Dutta, and Dass [/. Membrane Sci., 225(1-2), pp. 1-13 (2003)] by Bocquet et al. [AIChE... 

With the help of hollow fiber contactors, commercial success of membrane stripping, membrane-based solvent extraction, membrane gas adsorption, and other related processes could be possible. True manbrane separation processes (e.g., reverse osmosis [RO], ultrafiltration [UF], nanofiltration [NF]) have, in general. 

UREX+ A solvent extraction process for separating the components of used nuclear fuel so that the unreacted fraction can be reused in an Advanced Burner Reactor. Based on the Purex process, which uses tributyl phosphate in n-dodecane, but using multistage, centrifugal contactors. Developed by the Argonne National Laboratory, Chicago, IL, from 2003 and proposed for use by 2014. 

Schlosser S, Sabolova E, and Martak J. Pertraction and membrane based extraction of carboxylic acids in hollow fibre contactors. In Cox M, Hidalgo M, and Valiente M Eds. Solvent Extraction for the 21st Century. Proceedings of ISEC 99, Barcelona, Spain, July 1999. Publisher Society of Chemical Industry, London, UK 2001 2 1041-1046. 

To test the separation of the three actinides (Th, U and Pu) from each other, a modified Thorex solvent extraction flow sheet using 30% tributylphosphate (TBP) has been developed. Considerable work has already been reported in the literature for separations in Th-U systems ( 3, 4), but inclusion of Pu in the fuel cycle adds additional complexities (5). The flow sheet adopted is that in Figure 1, which also shows the relative flows (FL) of the inlet streams and concentrations (M or mol/L) of the major components. The flow ratios and acidities for each contactor were initially derived by constructing McCabe-Thiele operating diagrams based on unpublished distribution measurements made in our laboratories (6). 

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