Effect of axial mixing on RDC and PSE columns performance

Using the experimental data obtained from two RDC columns at two different sizes (7.62 and 21.9 cm) and one PSE column with 21.5 cm size, the effect of axial mixing on the performance of these columns was studied. Comparison between the experimental and theoretical (neglecting the axial mixing) number of transfer units indicates that, this effect in PSE columns is more than RDC columns (400% and 200% respectively). These results show that this effect can increase the height of the PSE column up to 4 times for a specific efficiency. Also the results show that this effect is more in law interfacial tension systems, which shows no need of application of agitation facilities when these systems are used