Design, Scale-Up, and Applications of the Reciprocating Plate Extraction Column

Abstract The Reciprocating Plate Extraction Column has been scaled up successfully from small diameter (1′′ and 2′′) test columns to many production units up to 40 inches in diameter. Optimization of the extraction process in the small diameter test column is the key to the economic optimum scale-up. The optimization procedure includes maximizing volumetric efficiency as well as selecting the best plate spacing variation. The latter can be calculated from the physical properties of the system and the throughputs in different sections of the column. Design features, principles of design, and scale-up procedure will be reviewed. Several typical applications will be discussed.