Experimental Investigation of Droplet Size Distribution and Sauter Mean Diameter (d32) in Uranium Extraction via Emulsion Liquid Membranes in a Pulsed Packed Column

This experimental study investigates the impact of operational parameters on droplet size, emulsion stability, and uranium extraction efficiency in a vertical pulsed packed column employing the emulsified liquid membrane (ELM) process. The emulsified liquid membrane consists of the surfactant Sorbitan Monolaurate (Span 80), the carrier Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid (D2EHPA), an internal phase of Nitric Acid (HNO 3 ), and a diluent, kerosene. The results demonstrated that under optimal conditions (dispersed phase flow rate: 1.94 L/hr, continuous phase flow rate: 2.48 L/hr, and impact intensity: 0.75 cm/s), uranium extraction and stripping efficiencies reached 99.94% and 79.65%, respectively. Analysis of the droplet size distribution indicated that increasing the impact intensity from 0.5 to 1.0 cm/s reduced the mean droplet diameter (d 32 ) from 0.18 to 0.12 cm, resulting in a narrower droplet size distribution. Furthermore, an empirical relationship was developed to predict d 32 with a relative absolute error of 9.06%. The stability of the emulsion was confirmed with a breakage rate of 0.39% and swelling of 3.5%. The findings of this research provide novel insights into droplet measurement in the ELM system of the pulsed packed column and offer valuable data for industrial design.