Patent ID: 6699445
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
An intermediate decanter in a liquid-liquid contacting system, the decanter being disposed between an upper contacting column and a lower contacting column, the decanter comprising:(a) a housing having: (i) a top opening communicating with the upper column; (ii) a bottom opening communicating with the lower column; (iii) a decanter outlet, said outlet designed and configured for discharging a substantially heavy phase of the upper contacting column therefrom, and (b) a first partition disposed within said housing so as to form a first settling chamber and a second settling chamber, said first partition designed and configured within said housing so as to direct a flow of a substantially light phase received from the lower column through said second settling chamber and into said first settling chamber, wherein said light phase is separated from said heavy phase of the upper column, such that said heavy phase is in communication with said decanter outlet, for discharge thereto, and said light phase is in communication with the upper column, for discharge thereto.