Abstract:
A system and a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture are provided. The system includes a neutralization unit; a buffering unit for receiving a crude lactam solution containing impurities content below a standard value and being fed from the neutralization unit; a temporary storage unit for receiving a crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value and being fed from the neutralization unit; a temporary extraction unit for performing batch extraction to separate out a first lactam solution; an extraction unit for performing continuous extraction to separate out a second lactam solution; and a recovery unit for allowing caprolactam to be recovered. In the present system and method, the crude lactam solution is selectively fed into the extraction unit for continuous extraction or to the temporary extraction unit for batch extraction, thereby maintaining continuity of operation, enhancing separation efficiency, and reducing both material consumption and purification loadings.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for recovering caprolactam from rearrangement mixtures, and more particularly, to a system and a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Caprolactam (CPL) is an important raw material for synthesizing chemical products, such as nylon 6, nylon 6.6, etc, and plays a significant role in the modern organic chemical industry. Caprolactam is commercially produced by a liquid phase Beckman rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime in the presence of fuming sulfuric acid. The mixture solution containing fuming sulfuric acid and caprolactam after the rearrangement reaction is neutralized with ammonium hydroxide to give ammonium sulfate. Ammonium sulfate and crude lactam containing impurities are separated. The crude lactam is extracted with organic solvents, and then it is further purified to recover caprolactam. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid in common industrial preparations. First of all, the mixture solution containing fuming sulfuric acid and caprolactam obtained after the Beckman rearrangement reaction, and ammonium hydroxide are fed into a neutralization unit  600  via lines  60  and  61 , respectively, to carry out neutralization. The crude lactam solution containing impurities is fed into a buffering unit  610  via a line  62 , and then it is continuously fed into an extraction unit  630  via a line  63 . The organic solvent placed in an organic solvent storage tank  620  is continuously fed into the extraction unit  630  via a line  64 , so as to extract the crude lactam solution. The organic and inorganic phases are discharged as effluent from the extraction unit  630 , while the lactam solution containing caprolactam is fed into a recovery unit  640  via a line  65  to undergo subsequent purification steps, and caprolactam is recovered. 
     Taiwanese Patent No. 408109 discloses a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture after neutralization. The rearrangement mixture containing an aqueous caprolactam solution and an aqueous ammonium sulfate solution is extracted with organic solvents in a mixer, and then it is separated into an organic phase and an aqueous phase in a separator. Afterwards, caprolactam is recovered from the organic phase. However, due to an excessive amount of impurities contained in the cyclohexanone oxime raw material or incomplete initial reactions of cyclohexanone oxime, a low grade crude lactam solution may be formed, thereby causing an inseparable third phase between the organic phase and the aqueous phase to be formed during subsequent extractions using organic solvents. In this case, a continuous extraction device can&#39;t be smoothly operated, and thus inorganic solution and impurities accompanying the lactam solution all overflow into the subsequent purification steps, resulting in drastically increasing purification loadings, decreasing separation efficiency and raw material consumption. Continuous operation process is further interrupted and even stopped. 
     Therefore, it is desired to provide a method for recovering caprolactam with high separation efficiency, low raw material consumption, low purification loadings and a continuous operation process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture with high separation efficiency, comprising a neutralization unit for neutralization of rearrangement mixtures with base to obtain a first crude lactam solution containing impurity above a standard value and a second crude lactam solution containing impurity under the standard value; a temporary storage unit for receiving the first crude lactam solution; a buffering unit for receiving the second crude lactam solution from the neutralization unit; a temporary extraction unit for allowing the first crude lactam solution to be in contact with a first organic solvent to perform batch extraction, so as to separate out the first lactam solution and a first impurity containing minor amount of organic solvent; an extraction unit for continuous extraction in which the second crude lactam solution is in contact with a second organic solvent, so as to separate out the second caprolactam solution and a second impurity containing minor amount of organic solvent; and a recovery unit for recovering a first lactam solution subjected to the batch extraction and a second lactam solution subjected to the continuous extraction, so as to recover lactam from the first and second lactam solutions. 
     This invention further provides a system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture, comprising a neutralization unit for neutralizing base with rearrangement mixtures to obtain a first crude lactam solution containing impurity above a standard value and a second crude lactam solution containing impurity under the standard value; a temporary storage unit for receiving the first crude lactam solution; a buffering unit for receiving the second crude lactam solution from the neutralization unit; a temporary extraction unit for allowing the first crude lactam solution to be in contact with a first organic solvent to perform batch extraction, so as to separate out the first lactam solution and a first impurity containing minor amount of organic solvent; an extraction unit for continuous extraction in which a combination of the second crude lactam solution from the buffering unit and the first lactam solution from the temporary extraction unit are in contact with a second organic solvent, so as to separate out the second caprolactam solution and a second impurity containing minor amount of organic solvent; and a recovery unit for recovering a first caprolactam solution subjected to the batch extraction and a second lactam solution subjected to the continuous extraction, so as to recover caprolactam from the second lactam solution. 
     This invention further provides a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture, comprising (a) neutralizing base with the rearrangement mixture to obtain a first crude lactam solution containing impurity above a standard value and a second crude lactam solution containing impurity under the standard value, and separating the first and the second crude lactam solutions; (b) feeding the first crude lactam solution into a temporary storage unit, and feeding the second crude lactam solution into a buffering unit; (c1) feeding a first organic solvent and the first crude lactam solution from the storage unit in a temporary extraction unit, allowing the first crude lactam solution to be in contact with a first organic solvent to carry out batch extraction, so as to separate out a first lactam solution and a first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvent; (c2) continuously feeding a second organic solvent and the second crude lactam solution from the buffering unit into an extraction unit, allowing the second crude lactam solution to be in contact with the second organic solvent to carry out continuous extraction, so as to separate out a second lactam solution and a second impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvent; and (d) recovering a first lactam solution subjected to batch extraction and the second lactam solution subjected to continuous extraction, so as to recover caprolactam from the first and the second caprolactam solutions. 
     This invention further provides a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture, comprising (a) neutralizing base with the rearrangement mixture to obtain a first crude lactam solution containing impurity above a standard value and a second crude lactam solution containing impurity under the standard value, and separating the first and the second crude lactam solutions; (b) feeding the first crude lactam solution into a temporary storage unit, and feeding the second crude lactam solution into a buffering unit; (c1) feeding a first organic solvent and the first crude lactam solution from the storage unit in a temporary extraction unit, allowing the first crude lactam solution to be in contact with a first organic solvent to carry out batch extraction, so as to separate out a first lactam solution and a first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvent; (c2) continuously feeding a second organic solvent and a combination of the first lactam solution from the temporary buffering unit and the second crude lactam solution from the buffering unit into an extraction unit, allowing the first and the second lactam solutions to be in contact with the second organic solvent to carry out extraction, so as to separate out a second lactam solution and a second impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvent; and (d) recovering a first lactam solution subjected to batch extraction and the second lactam solution subjected to continuous extraction, so as to recover caprolactam from the first and the second caprolactam solutions. 
     In the system and the method of the present invention, according to the quality of crude lactam solutions formed after neutralization, the crude lactam solutions are respectively fed into the extraction unit for continuous extraction or the temporary extraction unit for batch extraction, so that a continuous process can be attained to increase separation efficiency, decrease raw material consumption and achieves a less loading on subsequent purification steps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Illustrative embodiments of a system and a method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid the present invention are described as follows with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . It should be understood that the drawings are simplified schematic diagrams only showing the components relevant to the present invention, and the layout of components could be more complicated in practical implementation. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid, and a base (such as, ammonium hydroxide) are fed into a neutralization unit  100  via lines  10  and  11 , respectively, and neutralization is preformed to form a crude lactam solution. When the reactants have poor quality or the reaction is incomplete at initial stages, the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is higher than the standard value, for example, higher than 500 ppm, 200 ppm, or 150 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is more than 2.3, 2, or 1.7. The first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value is introduced into a temporary storage unit  120  via a line  13 . On the contrary, when the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is under the standard value, for example, under 500 ppm, preferably under 200 ppm, and more preferably under 150 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is less than 2.3, preferably less than 2, and more preferably less than 1.7, the second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is introduced into a buffering unit  110  via a line  12 . 
     The second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is continuously fed into an extraction unit  130  via a line  14  after it is fed into the buffering unit  110 . 
     On the other hand, the first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value in the temporary storage unit  120  is fed into a temporary extraction unit  160  via a line  17 , and then mixed with a first organic solvent introduced into the temporary extraction unit  160  via a line  18 , undergoing one or more, usually one to three batch extractions. In this embodiment, it is preferable to perform batch extraction for three times. Normally, the first organic solvent and the first crude lactam solution are mixed in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 by volume, preferably 1.5:1 to 2.5:1 by volume, and more preferably 1.7:1 to 2.3:1 by volume. A first lactam solution containing 2 to 25 wt % of caprolactam, preferably 10 to 25 wt % of caprolactam, is separated from the temporary extraction unit  160  after batch extraction and standing. In this embodiment, the first lactam solution separated from the temporary extraction unit  160  is mixed with the second crude lactam solution via a line  19 , and then it is fed into the extraction unit  130 . Simultaneously, a second organic solvent stored in an organic solvent storage tank  140  is fed into the extraction unit  130  via a line  15  to be in contact with the second crude lactam solution and the first lactam solution for undergoing continuous extraction and separating out a second lactam solution containing 15 to 30 wt % caprolactam, preferably 20 to 30 wt % caprolactam. Next, the second lactam solution is introduced into a recovery unit  150  via a line  16 , and caprolactam is recovered by means of distillation, evaporation, etc. 
     Organic solvents used in extraction include aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons substituted with halogen atoms, and linear or cyclic aliphatic alcohols with 4 to 10 carbon atoms. The first and the second organic solvents used in the present system can be the same or different, and examples thereof include, but not limited to, benzene, toluene, chloroform, etc. It is preferable to use the same organic solvent, e.g. benzene, as the first and the second organic solvents to perform extraction. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As the first embodiment, the rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid, and a base are fed into a neutralization unit  200  via lines  20  and  21 , respectively, and neutralization is performed to form a crude lactam solution. When the reactants have poor quality or the reaction is incomplete at initial stages, the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is higher than the standard value, for example, higher than 500 ppm, 200 ppm, or 150 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is more than 2.3, 2, or 1.7. The first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value is introduced into a temporary storage unit  220  via a line  23 . On the contrary, when the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is under the standard value, for example, under 500 ppm, preferably under 200 ppm, and more preferably under 150 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is less than 2.3, preferably less than 2, and more preferably less than 1.7, the second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is introduced into a buffering unit  210  via a line  22 . 
     The second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is continuously fed into an extraction unit  230  via a line  24  after it is fed into buffering unit  210 . Simultaneously, a second organic solvent stored in an organic solvent storage tank  240  is fed into the extraction unit  230  via a line  25  to be in contact with the second crude lactam solution to undergo continuous extraction and separating a second lactam solution containing 15 to 30 wt % caprolactam, preferably 20 to 30 wt % caprolactam. Next, the second lactam solution is introduced into a recovery unit  250  via line  26 , and caprolactam is recovered by means of distillation, evaporation, etc. 
     On the other hand, the first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value in the temporary storage unit  220  is fed into a temporary extraction unit  260  via a line  27 , and then it is mixed with a first organic solvent introduced into the temporary extraction unit  260  via a line  28  to undergo one or more batch extractions. The first organic solvent and the first crude lactam solution are mixed in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 by volume, preferably 1.5:1 to 2.5:1 by volume, and more preferably 1.7:1 to 2.3:1 by volume. A first lactam solution is separated from the temporary extraction unit  260  after batch extraction and standing. In this embodiment, the first lactam solution separated from the temporary extraction unit  260  is mixed via a line  29  with the second lactam solution separated from the extraction unit  230  in a ratio of 0.005:1 to 0.1:1 by volume, and preferably 0.01:1 to 0.05:1 by volume, and then it is fed into the recovery unit  250  to recover caprolactam. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid, and a base are fed into a neutralization unit  300  via lines  30  and  31 , respectively, and neutralization is performed to form a crude lactam solution. When the reactants have poor quality or the reaction is incomplete at initial stages, the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is higher than the standard value, for example, higher than 500 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is more than 2.3, the first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value is introduced into a temporary storage unit  320  via a line  33 . On the contrary, when the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is under the standard value, for example, under 500 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is less than 2.3, the second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is introduced into a buffering unit  310  via a line  32 . 
     The second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is continuously fed into an extraction unit  330  via a line  34  after it is fed into the buffering unit  310 . 
     On the other hand, the first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value in the temporary storage unit  320  is fed into a temporary extraction unit  360  via a line  37 , and then it is mixed with a first organic solvent introduced into the temporary extraction unit  360  via a line  38  to undergo one to three batch extractions. A first lactam solution containing 2 to 25 wt % caprolactam, preferably 10 to 25 wt % caprolactam, is separated out from the temporary extraction unit  360  after batch extraction and standing. The first lactam solution is mixed with the second crude lactam solution via a line  39 , and then it is fed into the extraction unit  330 . Simultaneously, a second organic solvent stored in an organic solvent storage tank  340  is fed into the extraction unit  330  via a line  35  to be in contact with the second crude lactam solution and the first lactam solution to undergo continuous extraction and separating out a second lactam solution. Next, the second lactam solution is introduced into a recovery unit  350  via a line  36 , and caprolactam is recovered by means of distillation, evaporation, etc. 
     In this embodiment, a second lactam solution containing 15 to 30 wt % caprolactam, and preferably 20 to 30 wt % caprolactam is separated out from the extraction unit  330  after the second crude lactam solution and the first lactam solution are continuously extracted with a second organic solvent. The second lactam solution is fed into the recovery unit  350  via the line  36 , and second impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents, which is separated out from extraction unit  330 , is introduced into a steam stripping unit  370  via a line  40  to recover the organic solvents. Simultaneously, a first lactam solution and first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents are separated from the temporary extraction unit  360  after the first crude lactam solution is extracted with the first organic solvent and stands. The first lactam solution is mixed with the second crude lactam solution via the line  39 , and the first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents is introduced into the steam stripping unit  370  via line  41  to recover the organic solvent. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the system for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid, and a base are fed into a neutralization unit  500  via lines  50  and  51 , respectively, and neutralization is performed to form a crude lactam solution. When the reactants have poor quality or the reaction is incomplete at initial stages, the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is higher than the standard value, for example, higher than 500 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is greater than 2.3. The first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value is introduced into a temporary storage unit  520  via a line  53 . On the contrary, when the content of organic impurities (e.g. ketones and alcohols) in the obtained crude lactam solution is under the standard value, for example, under 500 ppm, and/or the extinction of the crude lactam solution is less than 2.3, the second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is introduced into a buffering unit  510  via a line  52 . 
     The second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value is continuously fed into an extraction unit  530  via a line  54  after it is fed into the buffering unit  510 . 
     On the other hand, the first crude lactam solution containing impurities above the standard value in the temporary storage unit  520  is fed into a temporary extraction unit  560  via a line  57 , and then it is mixed with a first organic solvent introduced to the temporary extraction unit  560  via a line  58  to undergo one or more batch extractions. A first lactam solution is separated from the temporary extraction unit  560  after batch extraction and standing. The first lactam solution is mixed with the second crude lactam solution via a line  59 , and then it is fed into the extraction unit  530 . Simultaneously, a second organic solvent stored in an organic solvent storage tank  540  is fed into the extraction unit  530  via a line  55  to be in contact with the second crude lactam solution and the first lactam solution to undergo continuous extraction and separating out a second lactam solution. Next, the second lactam solution is introduced into a recovery unit  550  via a line  56  and caprolactam is recovered by means of distillation, evaporation, etc. 
     In this embodiment, a second lactam solution containing 15 to 30 wt % caprolactam, and preferably 20 to 30 wt % caprolactam, is separated out from the extraction unit  530  after the second crude lactam solution and the first lactam solution are continuously extracted with a second organic solvent. The second lactam solution is fed into the recovery unit  550  via the line  56 , and second impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents, which is separated out from the extraction unit  530 , is introduced into a steam stripping unit  570  via a line  60  to recover the organic solvents. A first lactam solution containing 2 to 25 wt % caprolactam, preferably 10 to 25 wt % caprolactam, first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents, and a mixture containing sulfates and a minor amount of lactam are separated from the temporary extraction unit  560  after the first crude lactam solution is extracted with the first organic solvent and standing. The first lactam solution is mixed with the second crude lactam solution via a line  59 , while the first impurity containing a minor amount of organic solvents is introduced into the steam stripping unit  570  via a line  61  to recover the organic solvents, and the mixture containing sulfates and a minor amount of lactam is further fed into the neutralization unit  500  via a line  62  to perform neutralization again. 
     The method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture of cyclohexanone oxime and sulfuric acid according to the present invention is to first add a base, e.g. ammonium hydroxide, into the rearrangement mixture to undergo neutralization and then separating out a crude lactam solution. Then, a second crude lactam solution containing impurities under the standard value, for example, the content of organic impurities in this solution is under 500 ppm, 200 ppm, or 150 ppm; and/or its extinction is less than 2.3, less than 2, or less than 1.7, is introduced into a buffering unit. Conversely, a first crude lactam solution containing impurities higher than the standard value, for example, the content of organic impurities in the this solution is higher than 500 ppm, 200 ppm, or 150 ppm, and/or the extinction of the solution is more than 2.3, more than 2, or more than 1.7, is introduced into a temporary storage unit. 
     The second crude lactam solution in the buffering unit is continuously fed into an extraction unit via a line, and is in contact with a second organic solvent to perform continuous extraction, thereby separating out a second lactam solution containing 15 to 30 wt % caprolactam, preferably 20 to 30 wt %. Organic solvents used in extraction include aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons substituted with halogen atoms, and linear or cyclic aliphatic alcohols with 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include, but not limited to, benzene, toluene, chloroform, etc. It is preferable to carry out an extraction process with benzene. 
     The first crude lactam solution in the temporary storage unit is fed into a temporary extraction unit, and is in contact with a first organic solvent to perform extraction, thereby separating out a first lactam solution. The first organic solvent and the second organic solvent can be the same or different. In one preferable embodiment, the first organic solvent and the first crude lactam solution are mixed in a ratio of 1:1 to 3:1 by volume, preferably 1.5:1 to 2.5:1 by volume, and more preferably 1.7:1 to 2.3:1 by volume. Normally, one or more, usually one to three, batch extractions are performed. Then, a first lactam solution containing 2 to 25 wt % caprolactam, preferably 10 to 25 wt % caprolactam, is separated out after batch extraction and standing. 
     The first lactam solution separated from the temporary extraction unit can be mixed with the second lactam solution separated from the extraction unit, for example, in a ratio of 0.005:1 to 0.1:1 by volume, preferably 0.01:1 to 0.05:1 by volume, and then subsequent purification steps are performed to recover caprolactam. Optionally, the first lactam solution separated from the temporary extraction unit may be mixed firstly with the second crude lactam solution, and then is fed into an extraction unit to undergo continuous extraction. Next, purification process is performed to recover caprolactam. 
     Furthermore, a steam stripping device can be applied to the present method. A first and a second impurity containing organic solvents, being separated out from a temporary extraction device and an extraction device, respectively, are stripped by steam to recover organic solvents. These recovered solvents can be re-used. On the other hand, after the first crude lactam solution is batch extracted with the first organic solvent one or more times and stands and if a mixture containing sulfates and a minor amount of lactam is further separated out other than a first lactam solution and a first impurity containing organic solvents, the mixture can be fed into the neutralization device via a line to neutralize rearrangement mixtures with bases. 
     In the present system and method for recovering caprolactam from a rearrangement mixture, depending on the quality of a crude lactam solution formed after neutralization, the crude lactam solution is either fed into a buffering unit and to undergo subsequent continuous extractions or a temporary storage unit to undergo subsequent batch extraction. Consequently, contaminated, low-grade crude lactam is not fed into an extraction device, but is instead fed into a mixing-separation unit to undergo batch extraction or another continuous extraction. Hence, continuity of operation can be maintained, separation efficiency can be enhanced, and material consumption and purification loadings can both be reduced. 
     The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation, so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.