Improvements in or relating to the contacting and subsequent separation of two immiscible liquids

摘要

A process for the rapid contacting and separation of two immiscible liquids uses two hydraulic cyclones coupled in series. The first cyclone has an inlet into which the two liquids are fed separately, and overflow and underflow outlets, one being large relative to the other. One of the liquids may be withdrawn substantially free from the other at the relatively small outlet and a mixture of both liquids may be withdrawn from the relatively large outlet and are fed to the inlet of the second cyclone whose underflow and overflow outlets are in inverse size ratio relative to those of first cyclone and from which, at the relatively small outlet, may be withdrawn the other of said liquids substantially free from the first liquid, and from the relatively large outlet, there may be withdrawn a mixture which is recycled to the inlet of p the first cyclone. The system may be used for one or more stages of a multi-stage process.ALSO:A process for the rapid contacting and subsequent separation of two immiscible liquids comprises feeding the liquids separately to the inlet of a first hydraulic cyclone having overflow and underflow outlets with one outlet relatively large compared with the other, withdrawing one of the liquids substantially free from the other liquid at the relatively small outlet of the first cyclone, withdrawing a mixture of the liquids from the relatively large outlet and feeding the said mixture to the inlet of a second hydraulic cyclone having overflow and underflow outlets in inverse size relation to those of the first cyclone, withdrawing the other said liquid substantially free from the first-mentioned liquid at the relatively small outlet of the second cyclone and recycling the mixture of the liquids from the relatively large outlet of the second cyclone to the inlet of the first cyclone. The system may be used for one or more stages of a multi-stage liquid/liquid extraction process.