Patent ID: 7517461

Claim:
A method for the controlled separation of a dispersion formed of an aqueous solution and an organic solution into their own phases in connection with the recovery of metals in a settler present in the separation section of a liquid-liquid extraction process comprising: a) damming up the dispersion by means of at least one revert member, comprising at least two revert plates, wherein each revert plate abuts both sidewalls of the settler, and each revert plate is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the settler, wherein consecutive revert plates are situated at different heights to form a revert channel between the consecutive revert plates; b) causing the dispersion to flow locally in a vertical direction in the revert channel; c) causing the separated upper phase to flow over the revert member and/or through only the upper portion of the revert member, and causing the separated lower phase to flow under the revert member and/or through only the bottom part of the revert member; and d) extending the upper edge of a revert plate of the revert member into the separated upper phase, wherein the revert plate has a slotted zone comprising vertical slots along the upper edge; and causing the separated upper phase to flow partially over and through the slotted zone of the revert plate.