Mass transfer analysis and kinetic modeling for process design of countercurrent membrane supported reactive extraction of carboxylic acids

Countercurrent membrane supported reactive extraction (MSRE) was studied for removal of carboxylic acids from aqueous streams with a PTFE capillary membrane. Analysis the mass transfer rates performed to support modeling process. Total coefficients ranging 2.0·10-7 4.0·10-7 m/s were obtained when extracting lactic acid 20 wt% tri-N-octyl amine in 1-decanol thicknesses 260 µm and 80 µm. The limiting resistance all experiments phase. developed model based on reaction parallel allows predict countercurrent extraction. Experimental validation 5, 7 12 m long modules showed excellent accordance two acids, validating simulations. Simulated contactor lengths required single, three stages varied between 10 39 m/stage lactic, mandelic, succinic, itaconic citric acid, depending membrane, diluent.