Multi-phase separation methods and apparatus

Apparatus for resolving a composite composed of a first, soluble phase and second and third phases of insoluble solids into the phases of which it is composed, said apparatus comprising:

• an extractor in which a solvent extraction of said first phase from said composite and a gravity separation of the second insoluble phase of said composite from the third insoluble phase thereof can concurrently be effected, said extractor having vertically extending walls;
• means for introducing the composite into the extractor;
• means in said extractor for effecting said solvent extraction and said gravity separation which includes a body of a liquid which is comprised of a solvent for said first phase of the composite and which has a specific gravity intermediate those of the solids respectively making up the insoluble second and third phases of said composite, whereby:
• said first phase of the composite introduced into the extractor will dissolve in said body of liquid isolating said first phase and freeing the solids making up the insoluble second and third phases;
• the solids making up one of said insoluble phases will then migrate toward the top of said body of liquid;
• and the solids making up the other of the insoluble phases will sink to the bottom thereof, thereby effecting a separation in said extractor of said three phases, each from the other;
• means for introducing into said extractor a solvent as aforesaid;
• offtake means for removing from said extractor solvent as aforesaid and that material making up the first phase of the composite which is dissolved therein;
• a first solids transfer means for removing from said extractor independently of said first phase solids which have a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid in the extractor and therefore tend to collect in the upper part of the body of liquid therein;
• stationary baffle means in and spaced from the extractor walls for creating a zone of minimum turbulence in which those solids having a specific gravity higher than the specific gravity of the liquid can collect;
• and a second solids transfer means for removing from said extractor solids which have a specific gravity higher than the specific gravity of said liquid and therefore tend to collect in the lower part of said body of liquid.

Apparatus for resolving a composite composed of a first, soluble phase and second and third phases of insoluble solids into the phases of which it is composed, said apparatus comprising:

• an extractor in which a solvent extraction of said first phase from said composite and a gravity separation of the second insoluble phase of said composite from the third insoluble phase thereof can concurrently be effected;
• means for introducing the composite into the extractor;
• means in said extractor for effecting said solvent extraction and said gravity separation which includes a body of a liquid which is comprised of a solvent for said first phase of the composite and which has a specific gravity intermediate those of the solids respectively making up the insoluble second and third phases of said composite, whereby:
• said first phase of the composite introduced into the extractor will dissolve in said body of liquid isolating said first phase and freeing the solids making up the insoluble second and third phases;
• the solids making up one of said insoluble phases will then migrate toward the top of said body of liquid;
• and the solids making up the other of the insoluble phases will sink to the bottom thereof, thereby effecting a separation in said extractor of said three phases, each from the other;
• means for introducing into said extractor a solvent as aforesaid;
• offtake means for removing from said extractor solvent as aforesaid and that material making up the first phase of the composite which is dissolved therein;
• a first solids transfer means for removing from said extractor independently of said first phase solids which have a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid in the extractor and therefore tend to collect in the upper part of the body of liquid therein, said first solids transfer means having an inlet communicating with the interior of the extractor at a level coincident with that upper part of the body of liquid in which those solids having a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid collect and there being means in said extractor for displacing said solids toward said inlet which comprises a nozzle through which a solvent for said first phase of said composite as aforesaid can be discharged;
• and transfer means for removing from said extractor solids which have a specific gravity higher than the specific gravity of said liquid and therefore tend to collect in the lower part of said body of liquid.