Abstract
In this work, a mathematical model describing the transport mechanisms in a recently developed microstripper (Adiche, 2018) was established and analytically solved. Based on this model, the overall volumetric mass transfer capacity coefficient could be estimated according to a three-resistance mass transfer model and used subsequently in combination with the HTU-NTU concept for the theoretical prediction of the separation performance of the microstripper in terms of stripping degree (Adiche, 2018). Accordingly, a sensitivity analysis of the separation performance of the device to the relevant process parameters including the liquid channel depth and the volumetric flow rates of the feed solution and carrier gas nitrogen was conducted. The comparison of the estimated stripping degrees determined in this work with those obtained experimentally from a previous work (Adiche, 2018) indicates that the developed model-based approach allows a correct prediction of the separation performance of the microstripper and constitutes therefore a useful tool towards the design optimization of the device.
