COLUMN SETTLER FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID/LIQUID PHASE SEPARATIONS IN HYDROMELLURCIAL PROCESSES AND METHODS THEREOF.

摘要

A mixer settler system is disclosed. The system comprises a mixer configured for receiving an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the mixer being configured to maintain the organic phase and the aqueous phase in a single unstable emulsion phase, wherein mass transfer occurs between said organic phase and said aqueous phase; and a, column settler which is configured to receive a single unstable emulsion phase from the mixer via an emulsion inlet and is also configured to separate the single unstable emulsion phase into a stable organic phase and a stable aqueous phase by virtue of coalescence; the column settler further comprising an organic outlet above the emulsion inlet and an aqueous outlet below the emulsion inlet; the column settler further discouraging mass transfers within the unstable emulsion phase and further promoting coalescence of each of said stable organic phase and stable aqueous phase.