ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Utilization of the pilot-scale multistage extractor for removal of zinc ions with central composite design optimization: case study—mass transfer rates

Mehdi Asadollahzadeh, Rezvan Torkaman, and Meisam Torab-Mostaedi

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

E-mail: masadollahzadeh@aeoi.org.ir

Received: 12 October 2024  Accepted: 5 February 2025

Abstract:

This study examined the extraction of zinc ions from the aqueous solution using a multistage extractor. This investigation discusses the significance of the pilot-scale column, and it provides a brief overview of the potential of mass transfer rates for the extraction stage of Zn(II) with D2EHPA extractant. In the first step, the central composite design approach was performed to analyze the extraction behavior by the mass transfer coefficients. The research revealed that among the various design variables, the most important factor was the rate of agitation. The extraction rate was enhanced by the higher mass transfer coefficient, leading to a more complex formation from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. The optimum conditions were obtained as the rotation speed of 230 rpm, aqueous feed flow rate of 30 L/h, and organic feed flow rate of 28 L/h. In the second stage, the experimental data were examined for the description of mass transfer behavior with the previous correlations. The results showed that reaction condition is a significant factor in the variation of mass transfer coefficients. The obtained data could be referred to in future improvement and applications of a multistage extractor for wastewater treatment and the removal of zinc ions.

Keywords: Chemical Process Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Environmental Process Engineering; Liquid-liquid extraction; Separation Science; Solid-phase microextraction; Zinc extraction; Response surface methodology; Multistage extractor; Mass transfer rates

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04086-5

Chemical Papers 79 (7) 4633–4645 (2025)