Solvent extraction Karr column

Karr, A. E., and T. C. Lo, Performance and Scale-up of a Reciprocating Plate Extraction Column, Proceedings of International Solvent Extraction Conference, Vol. 1, 299-320 (1971). 

Figure 8.1.35. Schematic of various large-scale liquid-liquid extraction devices, (a) Packed tower for solvent extraction (b) sieve-plate extraction column (c) an early Scheibel column extraction design (d) Karr column, in which the plates have reciprocating motions (e) centrifugal extractor (f) porous hollow fiber membrane solvent extraction device (see Figure 8.1.13(a) for a detailed design).

Solvent extraction systems often display nonlinear equilibrium behavior. Pratt (1983) and Pratt and Stevens (1991) have illustrated methods in which results of sufficient accuracy are obtained by representing the equilibrium curve by means of two or three straight segments for both continuous as well as multicompartment columns. Additional simple and shortcut procedures have been described by Von Stockar and Lu (1991). The extent of backmlxing In the continuous phase in Karr reciprocating-plate extraction columns (Figure 8.1.35(d)), widely used In the petroleum, pharmaceutical and hydro-metallurgical Industries, has been studied experimentally by Stella et al. (2006). 

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