Modeling phase inversion in a mixer-settler.

A mathematical model was developed to simulate the phase inversion criteria from which the area of a mixer settler unit can be obtained. The general slip velocity correlation used for continuous differential contactors design was used for the stagewise units. However, a new functional relationship between the slip velocity and the ratio of the fractional holdups of both phases were found to fit the stagewise cases. Some published data were used to check the validity of the model and excellent agreement was realized.