(180b) Case Study: Pilot Plant Testing Results in Reduced Cost for a Liquid-Liquid Extraction Column

Experience has demonstrated that selection and optimization of the column design for liquid-liquid extraction (LLE)requires pilot plant testing to insure the most economical solution. This paper will cover a case study in which the author was originally presented with a design for a large LLE column and requested to provide a proposal for this column. However, based upon the process information supplied with the request and previous experience with similar systems, it was evident that the type and sizing design for the column were inaccurate. A pilot plant test program was subsequently performed to generate the data required for accurate design of this LLE column. This paper will cover the results of the pilot plant test program and demonstrate how this data was used to scale up to the design of the production size LLE column. The work resulted in the selection of the correct LLE column for the application and the design of a much smaller column with a significant capital cost savings. Cost for the pilot plant test and equipment saving costs will be included.