Gas dispersed packed extraction column

A liquid extraction process comprising contacting organic and aqueous phase liquids to separate components from said aqueous phase liquid into said organic phase liquid, and dispersing gas in the organic phase to reduce the density of the same, the contacting being promoted by flowing the respective liquids through a stranded bed, said bed supported in position in a column by a pipe connected to the organic phase supply used in said contacting, said pipe having openings in the interior of the bed to deliver the supply to said contacting, wherein the openings of the pipe are set at least as far above the bottom of the bed as the cross-sectional dimension of said pipe, wherein the pipe extends through bearing seals in the column above and below the bed;

• delivering the gas through a sparge pipe below said bed, and, removing the organic phase containing said components, and the aqueous phase from the column.