Effect of some impurities on coalescence of drops in tbp-HNO3(HCl) extraction system

An attempt is made to characterize quantitatively the influence of TBP hydrolysis products - dibutylphosphoric acid (DBPA) and butanol, as well as silicic acid impurities on the process of drop coalescence in TBP-HNO3(HCl) two-phase system. It has been ascertained that coalescence rate is largely determined by the nature of the compounds on the interface. Butanol and DBPA in small amounts decrease but slightly the coalescence constant. The presence of zirconium gives rise to deceleration of drop coalescence. The thickness of a structurally mechanical barrier formed by silicic acid in near the surface layer of aqueous solution has been evaluated. 7 refs.; 5 figs.; 1 tab