Method of manufacturing a solvent extraction settler and solvent extraction settler

A method of assembling a solvent extraction settler capable of use in a hydrometallurgical liquid-liquid extraction processes for separating solutions mixed in a dispersion into different solution phases, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of:

• manufacturing at a site of manufacture, a plurality of self-supporting settler element modules,
• transporting the modules to a site of installation, and
• assembling the modules into the solvent extraction settler at the site of installation, where the plurality of self-supporting settler element modules comprises at least two modules sequentially connected to each other in-line to jointly form a plug flow path across the width of the settler, and common to the at least two modules, for dispersion and solutions flowing in the settler, where each of the modules comprises (i) a self-supporting framework structure having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with corner fittings attached to each corner of the framework structure and (ii) a shell, which is supported inside the framework structure and forms at least a part of a flow path for the solutions flowing in the settler, where
• the plurality of self-supporting settler element modules comprises two or more groups of at least two modules connected to each other in-line, the two or more groups arranged in parallel with each other, a first one of the at least two modules comprising a coalescing module having one or more coalescing fence elements to coalesce dispersion into different solution phases and a second one of the at least two modules comprising at least one retention module to increase residence time in the settler for enhancing phase separation, said retention module being arranged between the coalescing module and a launder module arranged to receive and discharge separated solutions.