Trapezoid settler apparatus and method for solvent extraction

A trapezoid settler having a longitudinal axis that extends between an upstream region and a downstream region and a transverse plane normal to the longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a base that lies in a generally horizontal plane, wherein the base has a downstream end and an upstream end;
• a weir assembly located at the downstream end of the base at a first axial position;
• a first side wall, having a first inner face, that extends between the upstream end of the base and the weir assembly, wherein the first side wall is oriented at a first angle to the longitudinal axis;
• a second side wall opposing the first side wall, having a second inner face, that extends between the upstream end of the base and the weir assembly, wherein the second side wall is oriented at a second angle to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• an influent channel distributor connected to the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the influent channel distributor extends between each inner face of the first and second side walls at a first axial position along the longitudinal axis, wherein the influent channel distributor comprises:
• a first screen;
• a second screen oriented generally parallel to the first side wall;
• a third screen oriented generally parallel to the second side wall and opposed to the second screen;
• and
• a barrier located upstream of the first screen.

A method of separating a mixture comprising:

• feeding the mixture into a trapezoid settler;
• passing the mixture through a first coalescence fence comprising:
• a first screen;
• a second screen;
• and
• a media disposed between the first screen and the second screen;
• separating the mixture into a first phase and a second phase, wherein an interface region exists between the first phase and the second phase;
• removing crud accumulation at the interface region between the first phase and the second phase;
• and
• collecting the separated first phase and second phase in a weir assembly.

A method of retrofitting a rectangular settler having an interior, a first rectangular sidewall, and a second rectangular sidewall, comprising:

• constructing a first side wall, having two substantially straight sections positioned at an angle to one another, inside the interior of the rectangular settler, wherein a first triangular gap is formed between the first side wall and the rectangular first side wall;
• constructing a second side wall, having two substantially straight sections positioned at an angle to one another, inside the interior of the rectangular settler, wherein a second triangular gap is formed between the second side wall and the rectangular second side wall;
• and
• placing a first coalescence fence between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the first coalescence fence is comprised of:
• a first screen;
• a second screen parallel to the first screen;
• and
• a media disposed between the first screen and the second screen.

A trapezoid settler having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a means for feeding the mixture into a trapezoid settler;
• a means for passing the mixture through a first coalescence fence comprising:
• a first screen means;
• a second screen means;
• and
• a media disposed between the first screen means and the second screen means;
• a means for allowing the mixture to separate into a first phase and a second phase, wherein an interface region exists between the first phase and the second phase;
• a means for removing crud accumulation at the interface between the first phase and the second phase;
• and
• a means for collecting the separated first phase and second phase in a weir assembly.