Continuous process for removing water-soluble particles from organic liquids

A method for removing finely divided, water-soluble particles from a heavier-than-water water insoluble organic liquid containing the particles suspended therein, which liquid readily forms an emulsion with water, comprising:

• (a) introducing into an extraction zone containing therein a body of the organic liquid as a lower discrete layer and a body of water as an upper discrete layer thereover, a stream of the organic liquid containing the water-soluble particles suspended therein into an upper portion of the body of the organic liquid;
• (b) introducing a stream of water into a lower portion of the body of the organic liquid in the extraction zone as a discontinuous phase therein;
• and
• (c) withdrawing water from an upper portion of the extraction zone and withdrawing from a bottom portion of the extraction zone the organic liquid from which at least a portion of the particles have been removed, at respective rates which maintain a liquid-liquid interface between the body of water and the body of liquid in the upper portion of the extraction zone;
• wherein said organic liquid is introduced and maintained as a continuous, non-dispersed phase and said stream of water is maintained as a dispersed phase while in the organic liquid;
• whereby water passes through the body of the organic liquid in countercurrent relationship thereto and dissolves said water soluble particles therein while passing therethrough.