Liquid-liquid dispersion in pulsed disc and doughnut column and pulsed sieve plate column: A comparative study

Highlights: • Experiments to measure Sauter mean drop diameter in pulsed disc and doughnut and pulsed sieve plate columns. • 3N nitric acid and 30% TBP in dodecane used in the experiments. • Effects of operating parameters on drop size distribution as well as Sauter mean drop diameter. • Correlations for Sauter mean drop diameter for pulsed disc and doughnut and pulsed sieve plate column. -- Abstract: Pulsed disc and doughnut columns (PDDCs) and pulsed sieve plate columns (PSPCs) are widely used for liquid-liquid extraction processes in nuclear fuel cycle. In this study, experiments are performed to understand the effects of operating parameters (continuous phase velocity, dispersed phase velocity and pulsing velocity) on Sauter mean diameter and drop size distribution in PDDC and PSPC. Experiments are conducted in aqueous continuous mode of operation using 3N nitric acid as the aqueous phase and 30% TBP in dodecane as the organic phase. Previously reported correlations for estimating drop diameter in PSPC and PDDC are evaluated with the experimental data of this study. Correlations based on modification of previously reported correlations are proposed for estimating Sauter mean drop diameter in PSPC and PDDC.