Passive continuous-flow microextraction/stripping system with high throughput. (21st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Tingliang; Ma, Yu; Xu, Cong
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 223(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-21
• Subjects: Microextraction/stripping -- Passive mode -- High throughput -- Micromixer/settler -- Disordered flow; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.115745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Graphic abstract: A passive high-throughput continuous microextraction/stripping system. Highlights: An integrated continuous microextraction/stripping device was designed. Three advantages: passive mode, high-throughput, and continuous flow. Four-stage oscillating feedback micromixers and mini-settlers were used. Recycling mode allowed efficient and selective separation of solutes. Abstract: For the separation of target solutes from other components via continuous extraction, at least one extraction module and one stripping module (continuous extraction/stripping process) are required. However, achieving high-throughput continuous extraction and stripping processes in passive mode at the microscale is challenging. Thus, a novel passive micromixer/settler that can be used as both an extraction and a stripping module is developed. Each micromixer/settler consists of a four-stage oscillating feedback micromixer and a minisettler. The micromixer and minisettler in each module facilitate efficient mass transfer between two immiscible phases and phase separation, respectively. Using flow visualization, the flow patterns are experimentally investigated, and efficient phase mixing and clear phase separation are confirmed. Furthermore, two kinds of continuous microextraction/stripping processes (non-recycling and recycling modes) have been successfully demonstrated with a high total throughput of up to 21 mL/min. The performance of the recycling mode was further numerically investigated.