Patent ID: 7695625
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B01D,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for scrubbing aqueous entrainment, or impurities, or both from an organic extraction solution that: is obtained from a liquid-liquid extraction during hydrometallurgical recovery of metals; contains a valuable metal or substance that has been introduced into it during the liquid-liquid extraction; is slightly soluble in aqueous solutions; the method comprising: introducing the organic extraction solution into a settling tank comprising: flowing the organic solution from the front end of the settling tank toward the rear end of the settling tank, and through the flow channel zone; coalescing in the flow channel zone aqueous entrainment in the organic extraction solution into droplets sufficiently large to settle to the bottom of the settling tank to form a separated aqueous solution; flowing the separated aqueous solution through the guide channels in the lower section of the coalescer; and removing scrubbed organic extraction solution and separated aqueous solution from the settling tank in separate streams.