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CA2178633A1 - Separation of liquids - Google Patents

Separation of liquids

Info

Publication number
CA2178633A1
CA2178633A1 CA002178633A CA2178633A CA2178633A1 CA 2178633 A1 CA2178633 A1 CA 2178633A1 CA 002178633 A CA002178633 A CA 002178633A CA 2178633 A CA2178633 A CA 2178633A CA 2178633 A1 CA2178633 A1 CA 2178633A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
liquid
liquids
field
khz
solvent extraction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002178633A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Geoffrey Horrocks Bailey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sellafield Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2178633A1 publication Critical patent/CA2178633A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10GCRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G33/00Dewatering or demulsification of hydrocarbon oils
    • C10G33/02Dewatering or demulsification of hydrocarbon oils with electrical or magnetic means
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D17/00Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/04Breaking emulsions
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D11/00Solvent extraction
    • B01D11/04Solvent extraction of solutions which are liquid
    • B01D11/0426Counter-current multistage extraction towers in a vertical or sloping position
    • B01D11/0438Counter-current multistage extraction towers in a vertical or sloping position comprising vibrating mechanisms, electromagnetic radiations
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D11/00Solvent extraction
    • B01D11/04Solvent extraction of solutions which are liquid
    • B01D11/0446Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers
    • B01D11/0465Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers comprising vibrating mechanisms, radiations
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03CMAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C1/00Magnetic separation
    • B03C1/02Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated
    • B03C1/23Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated with material carried by oscillating fields; with material carried by travelling fields, e.g. generated by stationary magnetic coils; Eddy-current separators, e.g. sliding ramp

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Extraction Or Liquid Replacement (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)

Abstract

A method of separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a mixture or suspension of the two liquids, the first liquid having a substantially higher electrical conductivity than the second liquid, which method includes the step of applying a high frequency electromagnetic field through the mixture or suspension.

Description

WO 95/1~802 ~ 2 1 7 8 6 3 3 ~ -SEPAFcATION OF T TOUIDS
The present invention relates to the separation of liquids and in particular to the i ~Jv~d operation of certain solvent extraction systems which include liquid/liquid contactors and liquid separators.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of separating a first liquid from a second liguid in a mixture or suspension of the two liquids, the f irst liquid having a substantially higher electrical conductivity than the second liquid, which method includes the step of applying a high frequency ele~LL, tic field through the mixture or suspension.
The said f ield may be a single phase or multi-phase f ield .
The f irst liquid may be a relatively good conductor and the second liquid may be a relatively poor conductor, eg an insulator. ~or example, the first liquid may be water or an aqueous solution. The second liquid may be an organic liquid such as an organic solvent, fuel, oil, grease or the like.
In the method of separation in accordance with the present invention the step of applying an ele-_l L ^tic f ield may be used in addition to other steps, eg the effect of gravity, to separate the liquids.
The principle of the invention is that the applied f ield induces eddy currents in the f irst liquid in a manner similar to the ~HD (magneto ~1ydL~y~ ic) effect which thereby becomes a current carrying conductor and experiences a force which assists the separation process.
Desirably, the applied el~L ic field has a frequency greater than 5 kHz and more preferably greater than 10 kHz. The applied frequency may for example be from 50 kHz to 500 kHz.
Desirably, the applied field is sufficiently great to generate a force per unit volume greater than the density difference between the first and second liguids but not W0 95/15802 2 l 7 8 6 3 3 `- ~
suf f iciently great to boil either of the liquids ~y the heat generated therein.
In a first example of the method according to the present invention the separation prQcess may be part of a solvent extraction mixer settler~process in which a first liquid comprising a f irst solvent, eg an aqueous solution such as nitric acid, is contactéd with a second liquid comprising a second solvent, eg an organic solvent, whereby chemical species dissolved in the f irst liquid and to be removed therefrom are extracted by preferentially dissolving in the second liquid. For example, metal species such as actinides to be recovered from reprocessed nuclear fuel in an aqueous solution, eg mineral acid solution such as nitric acid, are extracted by an organic solvent, eg dibutoxy diethyl ether. The two liquids are thereafter separated by allowing settling to take place at a differential rate by the effect of gravity whereby the f irst and second liquids separate into two layers . It is not possible to separate aqueous solutions and solvents which have the same density by the known method. E~owever, by using an applied ele~Ll , etic field in accordance with the present invention such liquids may be separated.
Where the densities o~ the two liquids are different the applied field may be used in conjunction with the effect of gravity to separate the liquids thereby reducing the residence time of the liquids in the settler vessel employed to separate them.
In a second example of the method according to the present invention, the method may be one employed to separate water or a watery substance from a fuel oil containing the same. For example, water droplets contained in aviation spirit may be separated therefrom.
The separation may be c2rried out in a pipe or vessel or other suitable cont~ i - L for the two liquids. Where the separation is carried out in a pipe along which the oil/water ~llcp--r c; nn is travelling the applied f ield may W095/l5802 P~ i/u4 2~7.8633 be suf f icient to hinder or halt the progress of the water droplets which may be collected and extracted in the vicinity of the applied field.
In ~urther example of the present invention the method may comprise an; ~ uv, L to a solvent extraction process employing a pulsed column. In a known process employing such columns an aqueous solution and an organic liquid are contacted together in a column comprising a series of perforated plates. Droplets of the aqueous solution are formed by the perforations and fall through the column and contact organic solvent rising up the column . A r -^h:~n i Ci~ 1 or pneumatic pulse is conventionally applied to the rising organic liquid causing the mixed phase to oscillate through the perforations giving suitable aqeuous phase droplet formation and hence suitable mass transfer between the first and second liquids. Chemical species, eg metal ions, dissolved in one liquid are transferred to the other liquid which is thereafter allowed to separate. The application of an ele~;L~ ic field in aDc~ nce with the present invention causes the aqueous liquid to oscillate by the force on the liquid thcreby to assist the mass transfer process with or without a conventional applied mechanical or pneumatic pulse of energy. The applied field may be arranged to be applied in lor~ P~ regions in the column, eg adjacent to regions close to one or more of the perforated plates and this thereby avoids the need to oscillate the whole liquid body as in the prior art.
The applied f ield may alternatively be applied along substantially the entire length of the column. The applied f ield is desirably applied in pulses, eg having a pulse frequency of 0.1 to 10 Hz and a mark/space ratio of from 1/10 to 3/1.
In another known process employing such columns an aqueous solution and an organic liquid are contacted together in a column comprising a serie~ of perforated WO 95/15802 . ~ I'`7704 plates. Droplets of the organic solution are formed by the perforations and rise through the column and contact aqueous solution falling aown the column. A mechanical or pneumatic pulse is conventionally applied to the falling aqueous liquid causing the mixed phase to oscillate through the per~orations giving suitable organic phase droplet formation and hence suitable mass transfer between the first and second liquids. Chemical species, eg metal ions, dissolved in one liquid are transferred to the other liquid which is thereafter allowed to separate. The application of ~an ele.:LL, ~n~tic field in accordance with the present invention causes the aqueous liquid to oscillate by the force on the liquid thereby to assist the mass transfer process with or without a conventional applied mechanical or pneumatic pulse of energy.
The applied f ield ln the method according to the present invention may be provided by known means, eg an electrical coil fed with alternating electrical energy supplied by a suitable high frequency oscillator. The magnitude and frequency of energy supplied to the coil will depend upon the application to which the invention is being put . However, in general, the f ield is required to be suitable to provide - v~ L of the first liquid relative the second liquid without causing overheating of the liquids, eg causing boiling.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with ref erence to the -nying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic f low sheet diagram illustrating a mixer-settler solvent extraction process utilising the assistance of an applied high frequency e le~ LL ~ ~n ~t ic f i eld .
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a pulsed-column solvent extraction process utilising the assistance of an applied high fL~:~ue~ y ele~ LL Lic f ield .

WO 95115802 P~ 7704 In Figure 1, incoming solvent streams are fed into a mixer via inlets 3, 5. Inlet 3 provides a feed of an organic solvent phase and inlet 5 provides a feed of an aqueous phase. The two phases are contacted and stirred together in a mixer 1 and species dissolved in one phase, eg actinides dissolved in the aqueous phase, may thereby be transferred to the other phase. The mixed phases are then f ed into a separator 7 in which the phases are allowed to settle again.
A high frequency ele1LL~,~"~y~letic field is applied by a coil 9 around the separator 7 and the field assists the separation of the phases in the separator 9 in the manner described above so that two layers are formed in the separator 7, a lighter one 8 containing the organic phase and a heavier one 10 containing the aqueous phase. The respective phases are thereaf~ter extracted via outlets 11, 3 and treated in a known way.
In Figure 2 a pulsed solvent extraction column 15 comprises a top settler 17 and a bottom settler 19 and a body 18 between the two. The body includes a series of perforated plates 20 at stages along its length. Aqueous feed solution is introduced at an inlet 21 in the top settler 17 and an inlet 23 mid-way along the body l9. The feed at inlet 23 contains dissolved species to be removed from the aqueous solution in which they are contained (eg actinides contained in nitric acid solution). Organic solvent feed is introduced at inlet 25 into the bottom settler 19.
In use, the aqueous feed falls through the column 15 passing through the perforations in the plates 20 to form droplets and the aqueous phase contacts with the organic phase moving as a continuous phase up the column 15.
Coils 27 provided adjacent ~ rt~ plates 20 (or all plates 20) each supply a high frequency ele. L~ tic f ield to cause pulsing of the aqueous phase droplets in the manner described above to assist contacting of the WO 95/15802 P~~ u~
21 78633 ~

respective phases. Species dissolv~ in the aqueous phase are transferred to the organic phase in the column 15 and such phase is extracted a~ a product at an outlet 29 from the top settler 17. Aqueous phase product (known as raffinate) is extracted at an outlet 31 from the bottom ~et'cler 19.

Claims (13)

Claims
1. A method of separating a first liquid from a second liquid in a mixture or suspension of the two liquids, the first liquid having a substantially higher electrical conductivity than the second liquid, which method includes the step of applying a high frequency electromagnetic field through the mixture or suspension.
2. A method as in Claim 1 and wherein the said field a single phase or multi-phase field.
3. A method as in Claim 1 or 2 and wherein the first liquid is a conductor and the second liquid is an insulator.
4. A method as in Claim 3 and wherein the first liquid is water or an aqueous solution and the second liquid is an organic liquid.
5. A method as in any one of the preceding Claims and wherein the step of applying an electromagnetic field is used in addition to one or more other steps to separate the liquids.
6. A method as in any one of the preceding Claims and wherein the applied electromagnetic field has a frequency greater than 5 kHz.
7. A method as in Claim 6 and wherein the applied frequency is from 50 kHz to 500 kHz.
8. A method as in any one of the preceding Claims and wherein the applied field is sufficiently great to generate a force per unit volume greater than the density difference between the first and second liquids but not sufficiently great to boil either of the liquids by the heat generated therein.
9. A method as in any one of the preceding Claims and wherein the method comprises operation of a solvent extraction process in which liquids are contacted to extract chemical species from one liquid to the other and then separated and the said field is applied in the separation stage.
10. A method as in Claim 9 and wherein the said solvent extraction process includes use of a mixer-settler and the applied field is employed in the settler stage.
11. A method as in Claim 9 and wherein the said solvent extraction process includes use of a pulsed column and the applied field is employed to pulse liquid.
12. A method as in any one of Claims 1 to 8 and wherein the method is employed to separate water from aviation spirit.
13. A method as in Claim 1 and substantially the same as any one of the methods described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.
CA002178633A 1993-12-10 1994-12-07 Separation of liquids Abandoned CA2178633A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939325321A GB9325321D0 (en) 1993-12-10 1993-12-10 Separation of liquids
GB9325321.9 1993-12-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2178633A1 true CA2178633A1 (en) 1995-06-15

Family

ID=10746416

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002178633A Abandoned CA2178633A1 (en) 1993-12-10 1994-12-07 Separation of liquids

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0732967A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH09506293A (en)
KR (1) KR960706363A (en)
CN (1) CN1142783A (en)
AU (1) AU1196895A (en)
CA (1) CA2178633A1 (en)
GB (1) GB9325321D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1995015802A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA949836B (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2457494B (en) * 2008-02-15 2012-04-25 E2V Tech Uk Ltd RF heating of a dielectric fluid
CN107803050B (en) * 2017-12-08 2019-11-08 中国科学院过程工程研究所 A dynamic magnetic particle combined membrane extraction device and extraction method

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1959385A (en) * 1929-02-18 1934-05-22 Petroleum Rectifying Co Electrical processes and apparatus for separating emulsions
US1978509A (en) * 1929-05-15 1934-10-30 Petroleum Rectifying Co California Process for magnetic separation of emulsions
US2120932A (en) * 1933-05-15 1938-06-14 Union Oil Co High frequency induction dehydrator
DE2116301A1 (en) * 1970-04-02 1972-05-31 Lectro Static Magnetic Corp Breaking of emulsions -by exposure to a magnetic field
FR2317957A1 (en) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Anvar Sepg. non-miscible particles from melts - by applying an electromagnetic field to isolate the particles
FR2568486B1 (en) * 1984-08-02 1986-12-12 Commissariat Energie Atomique DEVICE FOR CONTACTING TWO IMMISCIBLE FLUIDS WITH APPLICATION OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD
JPS61197003A (en) * 1984-11-26 1986-09-01 カリフオルニア ニツケル コ−ポレ−シヨン Separation and extraction method of immiscible liquids
JPS61210132A (en) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-18 Inoue Japax Res Inc Separation and refining of metal
US4596283A (en) * 1985-05-23 1986-06-24 Exxon Research And Engineering Co. Process for magnetically stabilizing contactor columns containing immiscible fluids
GB8516257D0 (en) * 1985-06-27 1985-08-29 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Solvent extraction contactors
US5262027A (en) * 1991-03-22 1993-11-16 Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. Method of using an electric field controlled emulsion phase contactor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1995015802A1 (en) 1995-06-15
EP0732967A1 (en) 1996-09-25
JPH09506293A (en) 1997-06-24
ZA949836B (en) 1995-08-22
CN1142783A (en) 1997-02-12
AU1196895A (en) 1995-06-27
KR960706363A (en) 1996-12-09
GB9325321D0 (en) 1994-02-16

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