Patent ID: 7731853
Filing Date: 2010-06-08
Classification: B01D,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for purifying an organic extraction solution, comprising: providing a settling tank having a feed end and a discharge end and defining a generally horizontal direction of flow from the feed end to the discharge end, supplying an organic extraction solution containing drops of aqueous solution and a valuable metal or substance separated into it during hydrometallurgical liquid-liquid extraction, for removing drops of aqueous solution and other impurities from the organic extraction solution, to the settling tank at the feed end of the settling tank in several separate sub-streams distributed evenly across the whole width of the tank at the feed end thereof, whereby the organic extraction solution flows in a generally horizontal direction towards the discharge end of the settling tank, at several locations spaced apart along the generally horizontal direction of flow, diverting the direction of flow of the organic extraction solution flowing generally horizontally from the feed end to the discharge end obliquely to the vertical, feeding scrubbing solution into the settling tank near or at a location at which the direction of flow of the organic extraction solution is diverted obliquely to the vertical, at several locations spaced apart along the generally horizontal direction of flow, momentarily decreasing the cross-sectional area of the flow, deflecting the direction of flow laterally by means of picket fences, removing the pure organic extraction solution from the rear end of the settling tank in several separate sub-streams, and removing the pure aqueous solution from the rear end of the settling tank in several separate sub-streams, and wherein the amount of aqueous solution in the settling tank is less than about ⅙ of the amount of organic extraction solution.