Studies of Phase Inversion and Ambivalence in Liquid-Liquid Systems.

Abstract

The literature relating to liquid-liquid mixing, and the factors determining which phase is dispersed in batch or continuous systems, and studies of phase inversion have been reviewed. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the limits of phase inversion. The model is based on the collision frequency and coalescence frequency of agitated dispersions in conjunction with models relating drop sizes and hold-up to agitator speed. Experimental investigations were made into ambivalent phase inversion in a batch and continuous mixer-settler unit. Drop sizes and limits of phase inversion were measured. The model was tested with the experimental results obtained, as well as published results. The agreement between predicted and experimental results is excellent.