# US 2013/0153518 A1 · System and method for liquid-liquid separation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153518 A1 - Document ID: US20130153518A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/331,731 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Freeport-Mcmoran Corporation - Inventors: Steven Richardson; William Cashwell; Jason M. Morgan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153518A1 ## CPC - B01D 11/0453: {with narrow passages limited by plates, walls, e.g. helically coiled tubes (B01D11/0461 takes precedence)} - B01D 17/0208: {by sedimentation} - C22B 3/02: Apparatus therefor - C22B 3/26: by liquid-liquid extraction using organic compounds - Y02P 10/20: Recycling - Y10T 137/6851: With casing, support, protector or static constructional installations - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention provides a mixer-settler extraction circuit for separating liquids from each other. The mixer-settler extraction circuit includes a flow distributor. The flow distributor comprises a slat assembly which directs the incoming liquid into the settling portion of the mixer-settler extraction circuit. The slats of the slat assembly may be spaced apart from each other at varying distances. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A primary flow distributor comprising: a support structure; a first slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a second slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a third slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; wherein the first slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the first slat assembly; and wherein the first slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the second slat assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the first slat assembly lies in an intersecting plane with the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the second slat assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the first slat of the third slat assembly has a square edge surface and the second slat of the third slat assembly has a square edge surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The flow distributor of claim 3, wherein the square edge surface of the first slat of the third slat assembly is in contact with the square edge surface and the second slat of the third slat assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The flow distributor of claim 3, wherein the first slat of the third slat assembly is wider than the first slat of the first slat assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the first slat assembly further comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the second slat assembly further comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially chevron-shaped configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially linear configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The flow distributor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a corrosion resistant material. ### Claim 11 A mixer-settler assembly comprising: a vessel configured to conduct the flow of a liquid comprising an inbound portion and an outbound portion; a flow distributor comprising: a support structure; a first slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a second slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a third slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; wherein the first slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the first slat assembly; and wherein the first slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the second slat assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the first slat assembly lies in an intersecting plane with the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the second slat assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the first slat of the third slat assembly has a square edge surface and the second slat of the third slat assembly has a square edge surface. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 13, wherein the square edge surface of the first slat of the third slat assembly is in contact with the square edge surface and the second slat of the third slat assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the first slat of the third slat assembly is wider than the first slat of the first picket fence assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the first slat assembly further comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the second slat assembly further comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a corrosion resistant material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially chevron-shaped configuration and the apex or the chevron faces toward the outbound portion of the vessel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially linear configuration. ### Claim 21 A method comprising: introducing a liquid into an inbound portion of a vessel comprising the inbound portion and an outbound portion; and regulating the flow of the liquid by passing the liquid through a flow distributor comprising: a support structure; a first slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a second slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; a third slat assembly coupled to the support structure and comprising a first and second slat; wherein the first slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the first slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface of the first slat of the first slat assembly; and wherein the first slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface and the second slat of the second slat assembly has a beveled edge surface configured to be substantially parallel to the beveled edge surface or the first slat of the second slat assembly. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the first slat assembly comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the second slat assembly further comprises a third slat; wherein the distance between the first slat and second slat is different from the distance between the second slat and third slat. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the liquid is a liquid used in a liquid-liquid extraction process. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the liquid comprises a metal value. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the liquid comprises at least one of an aqueous and an organic phase. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 21, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially chevron-shaped configuration and the apex of the chevron faces toward the outbound portion of the vessel. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The mixer-settler assembly of claim 21, wherein the support structure comprises a substantially linear configuration.