Troubleshooting Liquid-liquid Extraction Columns

Process engineers can be faced with the task of understanding and optimizing the performance of an existing liquid-liquid extraction (extraction) column. Often times, an extraction column has been operating many years, and the performance is not well understood by the personnel responsible for its operation. Since this technology is not treated comprehensively during most under-graduate Chemical Engineering programs, the engineer given the responsibility to evaluate the column usually lacks the tools for making an accurate evaluation. This article will show how with just a little understanding of basis extraction principles, a relatively simple engineering study can provide accurate understanding of the column performance. Taking these principles a step furthers will provide reliable options for improving the performance.