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EP0732967A1 - Separation de liquides - Google Patents

Separation de liquides

Info

Publication number
EP0732967A1
EP0732967A1 EP95902879A EP95902879A EP0732967A1 EP 0732967 A1 EP0732967 A1 EP 0732967A1 EP 95902879 A EP95902879 A EP 95902879A EP 95902879 A EP95902879 A EP 95902879A EP 0732967 A1 EP0732967 A1 EP 0732967A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
liquids
field
electromagnetic field
khz
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95902879A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
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
British Nuclear Fuels PLC
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 British Nuclear Fuels PLC filed Critical British Nuclear Fuels PLC
Publication of EP0732967A1 publication Critical patent/EP0732967A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING 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
    • C10G33/00—Dewatering or demulsification of hydrocarbon oils
    • C10G33/02—Dewatering or demulsification of hydrocarbon oils with electrical or magnetic means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D17/00—Separation of liquids, not provided for elsewhere, e.g. by thermal diffusion
    • B01D17/02—Separation of non-miscible liquids
    • B01D17/04—Breaking emulsions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D11/00—Solvent extraction
    • B01D11/04—Solvent extraction of solutions which are liquid
    • B01D11/0426—Counter-current multistage extraction towers in a vertical or sloping position
    • B01D11/0438—Counter-current multistage extraction towers in a vertical or sloping position comprising vibrating mechanisms, electromagnetic radiations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D11/00—Solvent extraction
    • B01D11/04—Solvent extraction of solutions which are liquid
    • B01D11/0446—Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers
    • B01D11/0465—Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers comprising vibrating mechanisms, radiations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION 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
    • B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C1/00—Magnetic separation
    • B03C1/02—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated
    • B03C1/23—Magnetic 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the separation of liquids and in particular to the improved operation of certain solvent extraction systems which include liquid/liquid contactors and liquid separators.
  • 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.
  • the said field may be a single phase or multi-phase field.
  • the first liquid may be a relatively good conductor and the second liquid may be a relatively poor conductor, eg an insulator.
  • 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.
  • the step of applying an electromagnetic field 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 field induces eddy currents in the first liquid in a manner similar to the MHD (magneto hydrodynamic) effect which thereby becomes a current carrying conductor and experiences a force which assists the separation process.
  • MHD magnetic hydrodynamic
  • the applied electromagnetic 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.
  • 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.
  • the separation process may be part of a solvent extraction mixer settler process in which a first liquid comprising a first solvent, eg an aqueous solution such as nitric acid, is contacted with a second liquid comprising a second solvent, eg an organic solvent, whereby chemical species dissolved in the first liquid and to be removed therefrom are extracted by preferentially dissolving in the second liquid.
  • a first liquid comprising a first solvent eg an aqueous solution such as nitric acid
  • a second liquid eg an organic solvent
  • the two liquids are thereafter separated by allowing settling to take place at a differential rate by the effect of gravity whereby the first 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. However, by using an applied electromagnetic field in accordance with the present invention such liquids may be separated. Where the densities of 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.
  • the method may be one employed to separate water or a watery substance from a fuel oil containing the same.
  • water droplets contained in aviation spirit may be separated therefrom.
  • the separation may be carried out in a pipe or vessel or other suitable containment for the two liquids. Where the separation is carried out in a pipe along which the oil/water suspension is travelling the applied field may be sufficient to hinder or halt the progress of the water droplets which may be collected and extracted in the vicinity of the applied field.
  • the method may comprise an improvement to a solvent extraction process employing a pulsed column.
  • a pulsed column 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 mechanical 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.
  • an electromagnetic 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 field may be arranged to be applied in localised 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 field may alternatively be applied along substantially the entire length of the column.
  • the applied field 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.
  • an aqueous solution and an organic liquid are contacted together in a column comprising a series of perforated plates. Droplets of the organic solution are formed by the perforations and rise through the column and contact aqueous solution falling down the column.
  • a mechanical or pneumatic pulse is conventionally applied to the falling aqueous liquid causing the mixed phase to oscillate through the perforations 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 electromagnetic 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 field in 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.
  • the field is required to be suitable to provide movement of the first liquid relative the second liquid without causing overheating of the liquids, eg causing boiling.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic flow sheet diagram illustrating a mixer-settler solvent extraction process utilising the assistance of an applied high frequency electromagnetic field.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of a pulsed-column solvent extraction process utilising the assistance of an applied high frequency electromagnetic field.
  • incoming solvent streams are fed into a mixer via inlets 3, 5.
  • Inlet 3 provides a feed of an organic solvent phase
  • 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 fed into a separator 7 in which the phases are allowed to settle again.
  • a high frequency electromagnetic 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 thereafter extracted via outlets 11, 13 and treated in a known way.
  • 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 19.
  • 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.
  • 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 selected plates 20 (or all plates 20) each supply a high frequency electromagnetic field to cause pulsing of the aqueous phase droplets in the manner described above to assist contacting of the respective phases.
  • Species dissolved in the aqueous phase are transferred to the organic phase in the column 15 and such phase is extracted as 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 settler 19.

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

L'invention se rapporte à un procédé de séparation d'un premier liquide et d'un second liquide dans un mélange ou une suspension de deux liquides, le premier liquide ayant une conductivité électrique sensiblement plus élevée que celle du second liquide, et le procédé consiste à appliquer un champ électromagnétique haute fréquence dans le mélange ou la suspension.
EP95902879A 1993-12-10 1994-12-07 Separation de liquides Withdrawn EP0732967A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9325321 1993-12-10
GB939325321A GB9325321D0 (en) 1993-12-10 1993-12-10 Separation of liquids
PCT/GB1994/002704 WO1995015802A1 (fr) 1993-12-10 1994-12-07 Separation de liquides

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0732967A1 true EP0732967A1 (fr) 1996-09-25

Family

ID=10746416

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95902879A Withdrawn EP0732967A1 (fr) 1993-12-10 1994-12-07 Separation de liquides

Country Status (9)

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

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 (zh) * 2017-12-08 2019-11-08 中国科学院过程工程研究所 一种动态磁颗粒组合膜萃取装置及萃取方法

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 (fr) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Anvar Procede de separation de particules ou inclusions essentiellement non miscibles d'une masse en fusion
FR2568486B1 (fr) * 1984-08-02 1986-12-12 Commissariat Energie Atomique Dispositif de mise en contact de deux fluides immiscibles avec application d'un champ electrique
JPS61197003A (ja) * 1984-11-26 1986-09-01 カリフオルニア　ニツケル　コ−ポレ−シヨン 不混和液の分離抽出方法
JPS61210132A (ja) * 1985-03-14 1986-09-18 Inoue Japax Res Inc 金属精製分離方法
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

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9515802A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1142783A (zh) 1997-02-12
JPH09506293A (ja) 1997-06-24
CA2178633A1 (fr) 1995-06-15
ZA949836B (en) 1995-08-22
KR960706363A (ko) 1996-12-09
GB9325321D0 (en) 1994-02-16
WO1995015802A1 (fr) 1995-06-15
AU1196895A (en) 1995-06-27

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