Mass transfer with a fast interfacial reaction has been investigated in bubble agitated, liquid-liquid systems involving a metal phase. Two systems have been used in the experiments:​ one a room temperature (25°C) system consisting of zinc amalgam and an aqueous solution of Fe³⁺ ions;​ and the other an intermediate temperature (450°C) system comprised of a lead-thallium alloy and a solution of Pb²⁺ ions in molten LiCl-KC1 eutectic. The agitation was provided by a stream of 1.5 ml. argon bubbles rising through the phases.

In the first system zinc was transferred from the mercury to the aqueous phase. Apparent mass transfer coefficients were measured under conditions where the rate of zinc transfer was controlled by transport in the mercury. These coefficients depended on the gas flow rate to a power of 0.32 and on the solute diffusivity in the metal phase to a power of approximately 0.6 to 0.7. The measurements were complicated by the existence of side reactions at the interface.

Thallium was transferred from the liquid lead to the fused salt in the second system. Mixed control conditions prevailed in which the rate of thallium transfer was determined by the transport of thallium in the lead and T1⁺ ions in the molten salt. The individual phase coefficients which were measured have been compared to those obtained in the room temperature systems. These coefficients also have been extrapolated to open hearth conditions.

Spontaneous interfacial motion has been observed in many of the amalgam + aqueous systems. Indeed several interesting manifestations of this interfacial turbulence have been photographed with the aid of a schlieren system. The phenomenon which is capable of producing intense mixing in the interfacial zones was responsible for the anomalous acceleration of mass transfer rates reported by Subramanian.

The origins of interfacial turbulence cannot be identified with those of similar phenomenr commonly observed in work with aqueous and organic systems;​ instead they may be associated with the electrocapillary behaviour of systems involving metals and electrolytes.