Study on Propylene Recovery in a Dispersed Absorption System-(Water-in-Oil) Emulsion System

The purpose of the paper is to investigate propylene recovery by a new absorption system, namely water-in-oil emulsion absorbent. Water in oil emulsion, in which kerosene used as oil phase with dispersed water droplet, is prepared to be as absorbent to absorb propylene. The effect of volume fraction dispersed phase, dispersed droplet size, and the stirring rate on propylene absorption rate are researched. Experimental results indicate that the absorption rate of propylene can increase 20% compared with traditional absorption method. The volume fraction dispersed phase should be appropriate, otherwise the enhancement absorption can not be attained. The appropriate number is 0.05 for this dispersion. The smaller droplet size of dispersed phase as well as the faster stirring rate can increase the propylene absorption rate. The mechanism of enhancement propylene absorption is attributed to the intensive turbulence in boundary layer between gas and liquid due to the movement of dispersed water droplets.