High Gravity Fields
L.R. Weatherley · Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2020
High gravity fields are exploited in a range of processes involving liquid–liquid dispersions. The accelerative forces achieved acting on dispersed drops can be several thousand-fold that of gravity. The benefits of the presence of the high gravity field include short residence times, efficient separations, less material hold-up, and reduction of equipment size. The development of spinning disk contactors for intensified liquid–liquid contacting is described, with discussion of the hydrodynamic phenomena which underpin the enhancements in mass transfer and reaction. A number of variants are described, including impinging jet contactors, parallel spinning tube contactors, and annular centrifugal contactors. Theoretical analysis of the fluid mechanics in spinning disk contactors and parallel spinning disk contactors is presented, with good comparison to experimental observation. The role of Taylor–Couette flows in spinning tube contactors is briefly discussed. Possibilities for intensifying the performance of tubular membrane contactors using high gravity fields are discussed, together with scope for conducting enantiomeric separations by application of high gravity.