Mass transport chelation reaction

In mass-transfer-controlled systems in which extensive complexing or association takes place in the bulk phases, a proper mass transfer model must account for transport of all species. Otherwise, the transport model will not be consistent with a chemical model of phase equilibrium. For example. Fig. 8.4-4 indicates schematically the species concentration profiles established during the extraction of copper from ammonia-ammonium sulfate solution by a chelating agent such as LIX. In most such cases the reversible homogeneous reactions, like copper complexation by ammonia, will be fast and locally equilibrated. The method of Olandei can be applied in this case to compute individual species profiles and concentrations at the interfiice for use in an equilibrium or rate equation. This has been done in the rate analyses of several of the chloride and ammonia systems cited above. ... 

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