Liquid-liquid flow and mass transfer characteristics in a miniaturized annular centrifugal device

Miniaturization of chemical equipment is becoming an important topic in process intensification and microscale flow chemistry. In this context, we developed a miniaturized annular centrifugal device (MACD) based on the microscale effect and centrifugal force. Various parameters were investigated to determine the maximum throughput of the single-phase, operating region of liquid-liquid phase separation, mass transfer performance, and mean energy dissipation rate. Detailed investigations of the controlled mechanism of the liquid-liquid flow process showed that a very fast phase separation can be achieved. The extraction efficiency and volume mass transfer coefficient were up to 99.8 % and 0.31 s(-1), respectively. The mean energy dissipation rate ranged from 0.8 x 10(4) to 3.9 x 10(4) W/m(3), which is lower than that of the similar rotating equipment. In addition, dimensionless correlations were obtained to predict the maximum throughput of the single-phase, the operating region of liquid-liquid phase separation, and the volume mass transfer coefficient. This study is the first time to propose a MACD with fast phase separation, efficient mass transfer, and low energy consumption, and provides a highly promising liquid-liquid process intensification tool.