Water and organic solvent separation device and water and organic solvent separation method

Abstract

Provided are: a device for separating water and an organic solvent, which is capable of efficiently separating water and an organic solvent from a mixed solution of water and an organic solvent having a high dispersed phase ratio; a method for separating water and an organic solvent using the device; a solvent extraction device; and a solvent extraction method using the device. The present invention relates to a device for separating water from an organic solvent, a method for separating water from an organic solvent using the device, a solvent extraction device, and a solvent extraction method using the device, the device being characterized by comprising: a coalescence filter to which a mixed solution containing water and an organic solvent is supplied and which separates the mixed solution; and a housing to which the liquid mixture separated by the coalescence filter is supplied, the coalescence filter being disposed inside the housing, and the housing having a structure or means for preventing the interface between the water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescence filter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation device for water and an organic solvent, a method for separating water and an organic solvent using the device, a solvent extraction device, and a solvent extraction method using the device. Background Art

[0002] The solvent extraction method is one of the common methods for separation and purification. It is a method of extracting a specific component from one liquid to the other liquid using two immiscible liquids such as water and an organic solvent, and separating the two liquids to separate and purify the specific component.

[0003] Solvent extraction is generally carried out industrially by a device called a mixer-settler. The mixer-settler consists of a stirring tank and a settling tank. After extracting a specific component from one liquid to the other liquid by stirring the two immiscible liquids in the stirring tank, the mixed liquid is allowed to stay in the settling tank, and the two liquids are separated by the specific gravity difference between the two liquids, whereby the specific component can be separated and purified.

[0004] In addition, in Patent Document 1 below, as an oil-water separation method capable of efficiently separating the mixed liquid used in the solvent extraction method, an oil-water separation method including a step of roughly separating into an organic layer and a water layer, and a step of treating the obtained roughly separated organic layer and / or water layer with a coalescing filter is disclosed.

[0005] Prior Art Documents

[0006] Patent Documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-019174 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, the invention described in Cited Document 1 requires rough separation using a settler or the like in front of the coalescing filter, and there is a tendency for the device to be enlarged.

[0010] In the solvent extraction method using a coalescing filter, if water and an organic solvent can be efficiently separated from a mixed liquid of water and an organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, a settler is not required, and the device can be miniaturized. Therefore, for example, it is considered that extraction efficiency equal to or higher than that of a mixer-settler, and an increase in throughput at a device size equal to or smaller than that of a mixer-settler can be achieved. However, such a technique has not been known so far, including Cited Document 1.

[0011] In view of the above prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water and organic solvent separation device capable of efficiently separating water and organic solvent from a mixture of water and organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, a method for separating water and organic solvent using the device, a solvent extraction device, and a solvent extraction method using the device.

[0012] Solutions for Solving the Problem

[0013] To solve the above problems, the inventors of the present application have conducted intensive research and repeated experiments. As a result, they have unexpectedly found that the following water and organic solvent separation device can efficiently separate water and organic solvent from a mixture of water and organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, thus completing the present invention. The water and organic solvent separation device is characterized by comprising: a coalescing filter, which is supplied with a mixture of water and organic solvent and separates the mixture; and a housing, which is supplied with the mixture separated by the coalescing filter, the coalescing filter being disposed within the housing, and the housing having a structure or mechanism that prevents the interface between water and organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter.

[0014] That is, the present invention is as follows.

[0015] [1] A water and organic solvent separation device, characterized in that the water and organic solvent separation device comprises: a coalescing filter, which is supplied with a mixture of water and organic solvent and separates the mixture; and a housing, which is supplied with the mixture separated by the coalescing filter, the coalescing filter being disposed within the housing, and the housing having a structure or mechanism that prevents the interface between water and organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter.

[0016] [2] The water and organic solvent separation device according to [1] above, wherein when the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is disposed in such a manner that it is completely contained in the upper half or the lower half.

[0017] [3] The water and organic solvent separation device according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the housing comprises a unit for detecting the interface between water and organic solvent, has discharge ports in the upper part and / or the lower part of the housing, and the housing has a mechanism for opening and closing the discharge ports to adjust the height of the interface between water and organic solvent so that the interface between water and organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

[0018] [4] A solvent extraction device, comprising the water and organic solvent separation device according to [1] or [2] above, and having an extraction device in the front stage of the water and organic solvent separation device, the extraction device mixing water and organic solvent for extraction and discharging a mixture of water and organic solvent.

[0019] [5] A method for separating water and an organic solvent, which includes the following steps:

[0020] A mixed liquid separation step of supplying a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less to a coalescing filter disposed in a housing, and separating the mixed liquid. The housing is provided with a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent, and has a discharge port at the upper part and / or lower part of the housing;

[0021] An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent by using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and

[0022] A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge port to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

[0023] [6] A solvent extraction method, which includes the following steps:

[0024] A mixed liquid preparation step of mixing water and an organic solvent for extraction to prepare a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less;

[0025] A mixed liquid separation step of supplying the obtained mixed liquid to a coalescing filter disposed in a housing, and separating the mixed liquid. The housing is provided with a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent, and has a discharge port at the upper part and / or lower part of the housing;

[0026] An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent by using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and

[0027] A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge port to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

[0028] [7] According to the solvent extraction method described in [5] or [6] above, when the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is disposed in such a way that it is completely contained in the upper half or the lower half.

[0029] Advantages of the Invention

[0030] Through the water and organic solvent separation device of the present invention, the water and organic solvent separation method using the device, the solvent extraction device, and the solvent extraction method using the device, water and an organic solvent can be efficiently separated from a mixed liquid of water and an organic solvent with a relatively high dispersed phase ratio. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the water and organic solvent separation device of the present embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the solvent extraction device of the present embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0034] One embodiment of the present invention is a water and organic solvent separation device, characterized in that it comprises: a coalescing filter, which is supplied with a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent and separates the mixed liquid; and a housing, which is supplied with the mixed liquid separated by the coalescing filter, the coalescing filter is disposed in the housing, and the housing has a structure or mechanism that prevents the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter.

[0035] The coalescing filter is a filter that, when a mixed liquid of water and an organic solvent passes through the filter medium contained in the coalescing filter, can coarsen fine droplets from the continuous phase to promote separation by specific gravity difference and separate water and the organic solvent. As the coalescing filter, a conventionally known coalescing filter can be used, and its form is not particularly limited, but a cartridge type is preferred. In addition, the filter medium used for the coalescing filter is not particularly limited as long as it has the function of capturing and coarsening finely dispersed droplets, but non-woven fabric and membrane can be cited. From the viewpoints of separability, lifespan, and pressure loss, non-woven fabric is particularly preferred. As the material of the filter medium, polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate, poly(ethylene terephthalate / adipic acid) glycol ester, poly(ethylene terephthalate / isophthalic acid) glycol ester, poly(ethylene terephthalate / sebacic acid) glycol ester, poly(ethylene terephthalate / dodecanedioic acid) glycol ester, polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as polyhexamethylene adipamide, polydecamethylene adipamide, polyhexamethylene decanamide, polyhexamethylene adipamide, polycapramide, polyoctamide, polynonamide, polydecamide, polytetramide (polyamide 6, polyamide 66, etc.), polypropylenes, polyethylenes, glass fibers, etc. can be cited, and can be selected according to the pH of the water layer and the chemical resistance of the organic layer in the fluid. Preferably, more than 90% of the fiber components of the filter medium constituting the coalescing filter are one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide 6, polyamide 66, and glass.

[0036] The housing is a container that houses the coalescing filter and receives the mixture of water and organic solvent that has passed through the coalescing filter. There are no particular limitations on the shape and material of the housing, and conventionally known shapes and materials can be used. The housing can be provided with inlets and outlets for various liquids, sensors, measuring instruments, and the like.

[0037] In the water-organic solvent separation device of the present embodiment, it is characterized in that the coalescing filter is disposed in the housing, and the housing has a structure or mechanism that prevents the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter.

[0038] The inventors of the present application have found that in conventional water-organic solvent separation devices, there is the following problem: When a mixture of water and organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, specifically, a mixture of water and organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less, is passed through the coalescing filter, in the housing, the proportion of the separated dispersed phase becomes larger. Therefore, in the housing, the interface between water and the organic solvent contacts the coalescing filter, and the continuous phase forms a film on the surface of the coalescing filter that contacts the separated dispersed phase. The liquid flows from the coalescing filter into this film to form liquid bubbles, and these liquid bubbles burst to form fine droplets again, or these liquid bubbles are directly sucked into the discharge port of the housing. As a result, a decrease in separation performance easily occurs. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have confirmed through experiments that in the water-organic solvent separation device of the present embodiment, by having a structure or mechanism in the housing that prevents the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter, the above-mentioned phenomenon can be suppressed. Therefore, even when treating a mixture of water and organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, a high separation performance can be maintained, and thus the present invention of the application has been completed.

[0039] Details of the structure or mechanism for preventing the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter will be described later.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is disposed in such a manner as to be completely contained in either the upper half or the lower half. By adopting this configuration, when treating a mixture of water and organic solvent with a relatively high ratio of the dispersed phase, the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter, and thus a high separation performance can be maintained.

[0041] Figure 1 This is an example of the water-organic solvent separation device of the present embodiment. The water-organic solvent separation device 1 includes a housing 11 and a coalescing filter 2, and the coalescing filter 2 is disposed in the housing 11. The interior of the housing 11 is hollow, and when in use, it is filled with water and organic solvent that have been separated by passing through the coalescing filter 2.

[0042] In the case where the volume of the housing 11 is divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the housing 11 is divided into an upper housing portion 11a and a lower housing portion 11b. In the case where the continuous phase of the separated water-organic solvent mixture is water and the dispersed phase is an organic solvent, as Figure 1 shown, the coalescing filter 2 is arranged so as to be completely contained in the lower housing portion 11b. With such an arrangement, a structure is formed in which the interface between the separated water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter 2. The organic solvent after the water is removed accumulates only in the upper housing portion 11a and is discharged from the organic solvent discharge port 41. On the other hand, the water after the organic solvent is removed is discharged from the water discharge port 42. By having such a structure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the separation performance of water and the organic solvent caused by the formation of liquid bubbles due to the coalescing filter 2 contacting the interface between water and the organic solvent.

[0043] In addition, in the case where the continuous phase is an organic solvent and the dispersed phase is water, the coalescing filter 2 is arranged so as to be completely contained in the upper housing portion 11a (not shown). Thus, similarly to the above case, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the separation performance of water and the organic solvent caused by the formation of liquid bubbles due to the coalescing filter 2 contacting the interface between water and the organic solvent.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the housing includes a unit for detecting the interface between water and an organic solvent, has a discharge port in the upper part and / or the lower part of the housing, and the housing includes a mechanism for opening and closing the discharge port so as to avoid the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter and adjusting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent.

[0045] The mechanism for adjusting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent is not particularly limited. For example, as Figure 1 shown, a floating switch 3 for detecting the interface may be provided at a substantially central portion of the housing 11, and a mechanism for automatically opening and closing the organic solvent discharge port 41 and / or the water discharge port 42 to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent may be provided. Alternatively, an observation window may be provided at a substantially central portion on the side surface of the housing 11 so that a person can peek into the interior of the housing through the observation window and manually open and close the organic solvent discharge port 41 and / or the water discharge port 42 to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent.

[0046] Another embodiment of the present invention is a solvent extraction device that includes an extraction device in the front stage of the water-organic solvent separation device. The extraction device mixes water and an organic solvent for extraction and discharges a mixture containing water and the organic solvent.

[0047] Solvent extraction is a common method of wet refining of metals. It is a method in which an acidic aqueous solution containing metal ions is mixed with an extractant and / or a diluting solvent specific to each metal, and then separated again into the acidic aqueous solution and the extractant and / or the diluting solution to obtain a metal ion extract solution. After that, the obtained metal extract solution is mixed with another acidic aqueous solution having a higher acidity to back-extract metal ions, and then separated again into the acidic aqueous solution and the extractant and / or the diluting solution to obtain a metal ion back-extract solution. For the separated back-extract solution, methods such as electrolysis and crystallization are used to recover the metal.

[0048] There is no particular limitation on the installation height of the filter in the above-described water-organic solvent separation device used after extraction and back-extraction in the wet refining method of metals. However, for the liquid flowing into the device after the extraction step, the continuous phase is usually an aqueous solution and the dispersed phase is an organic solvent having a specific gravity less than that of water. Therefore, for the installation height of the filter, it is preferably arranged in such a way that it is completely contained in the lower half of the housing when the volume of the housing is divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane. On the other hand, for the liquid flowing into the device after back-extraction, the continuous phase is usually an organic solvent and the dispersed phase is an aqueous solution having a specific gravity greater than that of the organic solvent. Therefore, the filter is preferably arranged in such a way that it is completely contained in the upper half of the housing when the volume of the housing is divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane. There is no particular limitation on the method of installing the filter in the housing either. However, in the case of treating a liquid whose continuous phase is water after extraction, it is preferably a structure in which the water-organic solvent mixing liquid introduction pipe connecting the housing and the filter extends from the bottom of the housing. In the case of treating the liquid after back-extraction, it is preferably a structure in which the water-organic solvent mixing liquid introduction pipe extends from the upper part of the housing to suspend the filter. By adopting such a structure, the distance between the filter and the layer of the dispersed liquid can be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, coarsened droplets are not easily introduced into the continuous phase, and the separation performance is stable.

[0049] Figure 2 This is an example of a solvent extraction device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The solvent extraction device 5 includes an extraction device 6 and the water-organic solvent separation device 1. The extraction device 6 is composed of an extraction tank 61, a stirring unit 62, an organic solvent inlet 62, and a water inlet 63. There is no particular limitation on the stirring unit 62, but a stirring unit used in a normal mixer-settler can be used. Typically, it can be a stirring device equipped with blades.

[0050] In the solvent extraction apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the extraction apparatuses can be provided. By connecting the plurality of extraction apparatuses in series and continuously processing them in a countercurrent multi-stage manner, the extraction efficiency can be improved. The solvent extraction apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is different from a mixer-settler and does not require a settling tank, so the overall size can be made smaller with an extraction efficiency equal to or higher than that of a mixer-settler. In addition, by connecting a plurality of extraction apparatuses, an apparatus with a higher extraction efficiency than a mixer-settler can be formed at a size comparable to that of a mixer-settler.

[0051] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for separating water and an organic solvent, which includes the following steps:

[0052] A mixed liquid separation step of supplying a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less to a coalescing filter disposed in a housing, separating the mixed liquid, the housing having a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent, and having a discharge port in the upper part and / or lower part of the housing;

[0053] An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent by using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and

[0054] A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge port to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

[0055] Another embodiment of the present invention is a solvent extraction method, which includes the following steps:

[0056] A mixed liquid preparation step of mixing water and an organic solvent for extraction to prepare a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less;

[0057] A mixed liquid separation step of supplying the obtained mixed liquid to a coalescing filter disposed in a housing, separating the mixed liquid, the housing having a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent, and having a discharge port in the upper part and / or lower part of the housing;

[0058] An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent by using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and

[0059] A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge port to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

[0060] In the mixed liquid preparation step of preparing a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent and having a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less by mixing water and the organic solvent, the extraction device used in a part of the solvent extraction device can be used.

[0061] In the method for separating water and an organic solvent and the solvent extraction method, preferably, when the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is arranged so as to be completely contained in the upper half or the lower half.

[0062] In the method of this another embodiment, the above-mentioned coalescing filter and housing can be used. In the housing, the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter. Thus, the formation of liquid bubbles at the surface of the filter does not occur, and therefore, a high separation performance can be maintained.

[0063] The organic solvent used in the device and method of the present embodiment described above is not particularly limited. For example, hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene and ether, and metal extractants used in the field of metal refining can be mentioned. In addition, the water used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and water-soluble salts, acids, alkalis, etc. may be dissolved therein.

[0064] Examples

[0065] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described using examples and comparative examples.

[0066] [Example 1]

[0067] Use Figure 1Tests were conducted on the water and organic solvent separation device shown. The size of the water and organic solvent separation device is 200 mm φ × 400 mm H, and it is set such that the upper part of the coalescing filter (5 inches) with PET non-woven fabric as the main filter medium is 3.6 cm below the center of the housing. In addition, the interface between water and the organic solvent is at the center of the housing, and the coalescing filter does not contact the interface. The position at the center corresponding to the length from the interface between water and the organic solvent to the bottom of the housing overlaps with the center position of the coalescing filter. As the mixture of water and organic solvent, a mixture obtained by stirring and mixing purified water (tap water) and a mixed organic solvent in a volume ratio of 5:5 was used. The mixed organic solvent was obtained by diluting a metal extractant (PC-88A) in a volume ratio of 7:3 in a naphthenic solvent (Teclean N-22). In addition, in the mixture of water and organic solvent used in this example, water is the continuous phase and the organic solvent is the dispersed phase. The mixture of water and organic solvent was passed through the coalescing filter at 1 L / min via the inlet. The organic solvent and water 20 minutes after the start of the flow were collected from their respective outlets. The residual moisture in the collected organic solvent was measured using a Karl Fischer moisture concentration meter, and the saturated dissolution concentration of water in the organic solvent was subtracted to obtain the residual free moisture concentration. In addition, the residual organic solvent component (TOC value) in the collected water was measured using a TOC meter, and the saturated dissolution concentration of the organic solvent in water was subtracted to obtain the residual free organic solvent concentration. It can be said that the lower the residual free moisture concentration and the residual free organic solvent concentration, the more efficiently water and the organic solvent can be separated. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0068] [Example 2]

[0069] The volume ratio of water to the organic solvent in the mixture of water and organic solvent was set to 6:4, and the upper part of the coalescing filter (5 inches) was set to be 1.6 cm below the center of the housing. The flow rates of the respective liquids discharged from the water discharge pipe and the organic solvent discharge pipe of the housing were controlled, and the interface between water and the organic solvent was adjusted to be 4 cm above the center of the housing. In addition, the coalescing filter did not contact the interface, and the position at the center corresponding to the length from the interface between water and the organic solvent to the bottom of the housing overlapped with the center position of the coalescing filter. For other conditions, tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 1. In addition, in the mixture of water and organic solvent used in this example, water is the continuous phase and the organic solvent is the dispersed phase. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0070] [Example 3]

[0071] The coalescing filter was set in the center of the housing, the flow rates of the respective liquids discharged from the water discharge pipe and the organic solvent discharge pipe of the housing were controlled, and the interface between water and the organic solvent was adjusted to be 8 cm above the center of the housing. Except for this, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 2. In addition, the coalescing filter did not contact the interface. In the water-organic solvent mixture used in this example, water was the continuous phase and the organic solvent was the dispersed phase. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0072] [Example 4]

[0073] The volume ratio of water to the organic solvent in the water-organic solvent mixture was set to 4:6, and the bottom of the coalescing filter (5 inches) was set to a position 1.6 cm above the center of the housing. The flow rates of the respective liquids discharged from the water discharge pipe and the organic solvent discharge pipe of the housing were controlled, and the interface between water and the organic solvent was adjusted to be 4 cm below the center of the housing. In addition, the coalescing filter did not contact the interface, and the center position of the position equivalent to the center of the length from the interface between water and the organic solvent to the upper part of the housing overlapped with the center position of the coalescing filter. For other conditions, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 1. In addition, in the water-organic solvent mixture used in this example, the organic solvent was the continuous phase and water was the dispersed phase. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0074] [Example 5]

[0075] The coalescing filter was set in the center of the housing, the flow rates of the respective liquids discharged from the water discharge pipe and the organic solvent discharge pipe of the housing were controlled, and the interface between water and the organic solvent was adjusted to be 8 cm below the center of the housing. Except for this, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 4. In addition, the coalescing filter did not contact the interface. In the water-organic solvent mixture used in this example, the organic solvent was the continuous phase and water was the dispersed phase. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0076] [Comparative Example 1]

[0077] The water-organic solvent separation device of the present invention was not used, water and the organic solvent were fed to a stationary tank (size: 300 mm W × 500 mm D × 200 mm H) at 1 L / min, allowed to stay for 30 minutes while being statically separated, and the organic solvent and water were collected. Except for this, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0078] [Comparative Example 2]

[0079] Except that the ratio of water to the organic solvent in the water-organic solvent mixture was 4:6, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 below. In addition, in the water-organic solvent mixture used in this example, water was the dispersed phase and the organic solvent was the continuous phase.

[0080] [Comparative Example 3]

[0081] The coalescing filter was set at the central part in the height direction of the housing, and the operation of adjusting the position of the interface between water and the organic solvent without opening and closing the organic solvent discharge pipe and the water discharge pipe was not performed, and the state where the interface between water and the organic solvent contacted the coalescing filter was maintained. Except for this, the test was carried out under the same conditions as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0082] Table 1

[0083]

Table 1

[0084]

[0085] It is obvious from Table 1 that in Examples 1 to 5, compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the device can be miniaturized, and the separation efficiency of water and the organic solvent is excellent.

[0086] Industrial Applicability

[0087] In the separation device for water and an organic solvent of the present invention, the separation method for water and an organic solvent using the device, the solvent extraction device, and the solvent extraction method using the device, when separating the mixed solution after solvent extraction, the separation efficiency of water and the organic solvent is excellent, and it contributes to the miniaturization of the extraction separation device and / or the solvent extraction device. Therefore, through this miniaturization, for example, it is possible to achieve an extraction efficiency equal to or higher than that of a mixer-settler, and an increase in throughput at a device size equal to or smaller than that of a mixer-settler, etc., and thus it is industrially useful.

[0088] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1, separation device for water and an organic solvent; 11, housing; 11a, upper part of the housing; 11b, lower part of the housing; 2, coalescing filter; 21, mixing liquid inlet pipe for water and an organic solvent; 3, interface detection part; 41, organic solvent discharge port; 42, water discharge port; 5, solvent extraction device; 6, extraction device; 61, stirring tank; 62, stirring unit; 63, organic solvent inlet pipe; 64, water inlet pipe.

Claims

1. A separation device for water and organic solvents, characterized in that, The water and organic solvent separation device includes: a coalescing filter that is supplied with a mixture containing water and an organic solvent and separates the mixture; and a housing that is supplied with the mixture separated by the coalescing filter, the coalescing filter being disposed within the housing, and the housing having a structure or mechanism that prevents the interface between water and the organic solvent from contacting the coalescing filter.

2. The separation device for water and organic solvents according to claim 1, wherein, When the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is disposed so as to be completely contained within either the upper half or the lower half.

3. The separation device for water and organic solvents according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The housing includes a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent, has discharge ports in the upper part and / or the lower part of the housing, and has a mechanism for opening and closing the discharge ports to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

4. A solvent extraction device, wherein, The solvent extraction device includes the water and organic solvent separation device according to claim 1 or 2, and an extraction device is provided in the front stage of the water and organic solvent separation device, the extraction device mixes water and an organic solvent for extraction and discharges a mixture containing water and an organic solvent.

5. A separation method for water and organic solvents, wherein, The separation method includes the following steps: A mixed liquid separation step of supplying a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less to a coalescing filter disposed within a housing and separating the mixed liquid, the housing including a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent and having discharge ports in the upper part and / or the lower part of the housing; An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge ports to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

6. A solvent extraction method, wherein, The solvent extraction method includes the following steps: A mixed liquid preparation step of mixing water and an organic solvent for extraction to prepare a mixed liquid containing water and an organic solvent with a dispersed phase ratio of 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less; A mixed liquid separation step of supplying the obtained mixed liquid to a coalescing filter disposed within a housing and separating the mixed liquid, the housing including a unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent and having discharge ports in the upper part and / or the lower part of the housing; An interface detection step of detecting the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent using the unit for detecting the interface between water and the organic solvent; and A height adjustment step of opening and closing the discharge ports to adjust the height of the interface between water and the organic solvent so that the interface between water and the organic solvent does not contact the coalescing filter.

7. The solvent extraction method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, When the volume of the housing is equally divided into an upper half and a lower half by a horizontal plane, the coalescing filter is disposed so as to be completely contained within either the upper half or the lower half.

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