Investigation of hydrodynamic parameters in a packed-agitated extraction column for the extraction of thorium ions from aqueous solution

This research evaluates the hydrodynamic behavior of a packed-agitated column, which includes agitated and irregularly packed sections, for extracting thorium ions from an aqueous solution. The effects of various operating parameters on the column's hydrodynamic conditions were investigated. Results indicate that increasing operating parameters such as agitation speed, dispersed phase velocity, and continuous phase velocity enhances thorium extraction efficiency. The maximum extraction efficiency achieved was 97.54% at an agitation speed of 220 rpm, with dispersed and continuous phase velocities of 0.66 mm/s. Increasing the agitation speed results in smaller droplet sizes and a narrower droplet size distribution. Additionally, an increase in continuous phase velocity, while keeping other parameters constant, creates resistance to the movement of dispersed phase droplets, leading to a decrease in slip velocity.