Patent ID: 8652304
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: B01D,C02F,C07C,C10L

Abstract:
1. A method of extracting solids, which are dissolved or undissolved, from a feed stream comprising a mixture of water, a process liquid, and the solids to be extracted, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing an oil recycle liquid that is less dense than water, and is comprised of components that are substantially non-miscible with and less volatile than water and less volatile than the process liquid, into a separation vessel; b) introducing the feed stream into a mixing zone in proximity to or within the separation vessel; c) rapidly vaporising volatile components of the feed stream upon mixing the feed stream with the recycle liquid in the mixing zone, thereby causing the precipitation of the dissolved or undissolved solids to be extracted; d) conveying the mixture of the feed stream and the recycle liquid, including the vaporised components and the precipitated solids, into a separation zone within the separation vessel; e) conveying the vaporised components out of the separation zone and out of the separation vessel, thereby leaving behind a remaining mixture of the unvaporised liquid components and the precipitated solids and undissolved solids that falls into and is collected in a substantially liquid pool in a lower portion of the separation vessel; f) drawing the recycle liquid from the substantially liquid pool at a rate that is more than ten times a feed stream flow rate; g) pumping the recycle liquid through a heat exchanger; h) supplying sufficient heat to the recycle liquid in the heat exchanger such that the amount of heat added to the recycle liquid is sufficient to cause the vaporisation of more than 99% of the volatile components of the feed stream when the recycle liquid and the feed stream are mixed within or in proximity to the separation zone; i) allowing at least a portion of the precipitated solids in the substantially liquid pool and at least a portion of any liquid bound thereto to move into a stripping zone and come into contact with water contained therein; j) allowing at least a portion of the precipitated solids that has moved into the stripping zone to move through at least a portion of the water in the stripping zone; k) wherein the passage of the portion of precipitated solids through the portion of the water displaces at least a portion of any liquid bound to the portion of the precipitated solids; and l) removing from the stripping zone a waste aqueous stream comprising at least a portion of the precipitated solids that have moved into the stripping zone.