Liquid-liquid extraction techniques

A liquid-liquid extraction system comprising:

• a plurality of extraction stages each of which comprises a separation vessel having a chamber, a primary input, a raffinate output, an extract output, and a level sensor coupled to the chamber to measure a level of liquid therein, wherein an input liquid is presented to the chamber via the primary input to enable phase separation of the input liquid into a raffinate and an extract such that the raffinate exits the separation vessel at the raffinate output while the extract exits the separation vessel at the extract output;
• a pumping system comprising:
• a single motor;
• a power transmission system;
• and
• a plurality of pumpheads each of which is responsive to the single motor and the power transmission system and fluidly cooperative with a corresponding one of the plurality of extraction stages;
• and
• a controller where the extraction stages collectively extract impurities from a source liquid using an extraction liquid;
• cooperative with each level sensor and the pumping system such that during operation of the liquid-liquid extraction system an equal flow of liquid takes place between each of the plurality of extraction stages while a level of liquid is controlled in each chamber by processing instructions to:
• read an output of the corresponding level sensor;
• compare the output of the corresponding level sensor to a target;
• cause the associated chamber to receive additional liquid to raise the liquid level in the chamber if the output is lower than the target;
• and
• cause the associated chamber to drain liquid to lower the liquid level in the chamber if the output is higher than the target.