Patent ID: 7704398
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: B01D,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for the physical purification of an aqueous solution, obtained from a liquid-liquid extraction occurring during the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals, from droplets of organic extraction solution, comprising: introducing an aqueous solution containing droplets of organic extraction solution obtained from a liquid-liquid extraction occurring during the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals into a settling tank comprising: flowing the aqueous solution containing droplets of organic extraction solution through the flow channel zone; coalescing in the flow channel the droplets of organic extraction solution to a sufficient size that they rise toward an upper surface of the settling tank to form a separated organic extraction solution; flowing the separated organic extraction solution through the guide channels in the upper section of the droplet coalescer; and removing the separated aqueous solution and the separated organic extraction solution from the settling tank in separate streams.