About this Research Topic
This Research Topic aims to promote new tools to meet the current challenges faced by solvent extraction manufacturers. On the one hand, intensive research is devoted to the discovery of new extractant systems, solvents, or adsorbents, with improved selectivity. Among the new methods, DFT and molecular simulations can guide their design, and microfluidic tools can accelerate the screening of their performance. On the other hand, their industrial transposition is not straightforward. Mixer-Settler and counter-current column efficiency depends strongly on the achieved drop size distribution and phase separation kinetics. Numerical simulation can help predict them but requires predictive population balance models and hydrodynamic studies. Finally, recycling units must be flexible to adapt to the variability of inputs. This involves proper online instrumentation and efficient process control algorithms.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles that will provide a factual and prospective picture of the development of tomorrow’s sustainable industrial extraction processes, on themes including, but not limited to:
• Solvent or adsorbent with improved selectivity
• Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of mass transfer
• Dispersed phase flow modeling and simulation
• Population Balance Modelling.
Keywords: solvent extraction, modeling, mass transfer, manufacturing, extraction processes
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.