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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorOrlan O. Yarbro
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This invention relates to improved apparatus for counter-currently contacting liquids and solids to dissolve, or leach, a selected component of the solids while minimizing back-mixing of the liquid phase. The apparatus includes an elongated drum which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis in either direction and is partitioned radially into a solids-inlet/liquid-outlet compartment at one end, a solids-outlet/liquid-inlet compartment at its other end, and leaching compartments therebetween. The drum is designed to operate with its acid-inlet end elevated and with the longitudinal axis of the drum at an angle in the range of from about 3.degree. to 14.degree. to the horizontal. Each leaching compartment contains a chute assembly for advancing solids into the next compartment in the direction of solids flow when the drum is rotated in a selected direction. The chute assembly includes a solids-transfer baffle and a chute in the form of a slotted, skewed, conical frustum portion. When the drum is rotated in the direction opposite to that effecting solids transfer, the solids-transfer baffles continually separate and re-mix the solids and liquids in their respective compartments. The partitions defining the leaching compartments are formed with corresponding outer, annular, imperforate regions, each region extending inwardly from the partition rim to an annular array of perforations concentric with the rim. In each leaching compartment, the spacing between the rim and the perforations determines the depth of liquid at the liquid-outlet end of the compartment. The liquid input to the drum assembly flows continuously through the compartments, preventing back-mixing due to density differences, whereas backflow due to waves generated by the solids-transfer baffles is virtually eliminated because of the tilted orientation of the drum assembly.
In rotary apparatus for countercurrently contacting liquids and solids, said apparatus including an elongated and generally cylindrical drum assembly which is rotatable in either direction about its longitudinal axis and which is divided by circumferentially sealed, transversely extending partitions into a solids-inlet/liquid-outlet compartment at one end of said assembly, a solids-outlet/liquid-inlet compartment at the other end thereof, and a plurality of leaching compartment therebetween, said partitions being provided with perforations for conveying liquid flow between adjacent compartments;
In rotary apparatus for countercurrently contacting liquids and solids, said apparatus including an elongated and generally cylindrical drum assembly which is rotatable in either direction about its longitudinal axis and which is divided by circumferentially sealed, partitions normal to said axis into a solids-inlet/liquid-outlet compartment at one end of said assembly, a solids-outlet/liquid-inlet compartment at the other end thereof, and a plurality of leaching compartments therebetween, each of said partitions being formed with an opening in the central region thereof for passage of solids and with perforations disposed outwardly of said opening for conveying liquid flow between adjacent compartments;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.