Proceedings

EPJ N Highlight - A minimal predictive viscosity model of solvent phases

150
2D viscosity model using an hexagonal grid

A novel thermodynamic model to predict macroscopic viscosity of concentrated extractant systems in the presence of heavy metals is presented. The viscosity increase of monoamides in presence of uranyl is a challenging technological lock for industrial extraction processes. This work presents experimental indications on the origin of the viscosity increase and introduces a model based on the three well-established concepts of molecular packing parameters, supramolecular curvature and elasticity of amphiphilic film, as well as polymer physics extended to “living polymers”.

This model contributes to not only a deeper understanding of the problem on molecular, mesoscopic and macroscopic scale, but also provides formulation approaches to tackle this technological lock. The model is applicable to all systems involving micelles formed by amphiphiles such as extractants or surfactants in presence of electrolytes and solutes. Emphasis has been placed on organic extractant systems, namely TBP and dialkylamides. Qualitative trends in a series of different extractants and diluents are predicted and explained comprehensively, supported by COSMO-RS calculation methods. The model represents a convenient formulation tool in the field of liquid-liquid extraction and will help to replace formulation based on extensive “experimental plans” by knowledge-based formulation.

This was our first experience of publishing with EPJ Web of Conferences. We contacted the publisher in the middle of September, just one month prior to the Conference, but everything went through smoothly. We have had published MNPS Proceedings with different publishers in the past, and would like to tell that the EPJ Web of Conferences team was probably the best, very quick, helpful and interactive. Typically, we were getting responses from EPJ Web of Conferences team within less than an hour and have had help at every production stage.
We are very thankful to Solange Guenot, Web of Conferences Publishing Editor, and Isabelle Houlbert, Web of Conferences Production Editor, for their support. These ladies are top-level professionals, who made a great contribution to the success of this issue. We are fully satisfied with the publication of the Conference Proceedings and are looking forward to further cooperation. The publication was very fast, easy and of high quality. My colleagues and I strongly recommend EPJ Web of Conferences to anyone, who is interested in quick high-quality publication of conference proceedings.

On behalf of the Organizing and Program Committees and Editorial Team of MNPS-2019, Dr. Alexey B. Nadykto, Moscow State Technological University “STANKIN”, Moscow, Russia. EPJ Web of Conferences vol. 224 (2019)

ISSN: 2100-014X (Electronic Edition)

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