A continuous extraction column system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of extraction separation, especially, it is a kind of continuous extraction tower system, including extraction tower, pipeline mixer, metering pump and liquid storage tank;Its characterized in that: the extraction tower includes base and tower body, the tower body is sequentially arranged as clarification section, extraction separation section, settling section from top to bottom and is connected between each section by flange;The bottom of settling section is connected with base, the base one side is equipped with heavy phase outlet, and the other side is equipped with exhaust port;The extraction separation section is equipped with filler layer and is equipped with mixed phase import and separation observation sight glass in side wall;The clarification section top is equipped with clarification vent and is equipped with light phase outlet and circular observation sight glass in side surface;The application adopts pipeline mixer accurate control two-phase mixing and emulsification degree, flange connection combined tower body is combined with grading treatment mode, and segmented maintenance is convenient and efficient;Pipeline mixer and the synergistic effect of permeable structured packing, inhibit intermediate layer, improve mass transfer separation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of extraction and separation technology, and in particular to a continuous extraction tower system. Background Technology

[0002] Extraction and separation are widely used in industrial production processes. Liquid extraction and separation (also known as solvent extraction or liquid-liquid extraction) is a unit operation technique based on the difference in solubility of substances in different solvents for separation and purification. Currently, it is widely used in the chemical industry (purifying organic compounds, such as separating phenols from coal tar), hydrometallurgy (recovering rare metals, such as copper and uranium), pharmaceuticals and food (extracting natural products, such as active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine and vegetable oils), and environmental monitoring (separating pollutants from water, such as organohalides). Existing liquid-liquid extraction methods mostly utilize extraction towers, employing stirred countercurrent extraction towers to ensure thorough contact between the solvent (oil phase solution) and the original mixture (aqueous phase solution) through stirring, followed by stratification for separation. Multi-stage extraction towers can achieve extraction and separation. However, during stirring and mixing, emulsification is significant, the oil phase is easily volatile, and the separation of the oil and aqueous phases requires sufficient settling. Therefore, stirred extraction towers have relatively low separation efficiency and cannot achieve optimal separation, resulting in high separation costs. Furthermore, the disassembly and assembly of stirred extraction towers, including cleaning, maintenance, and packing replacement, is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

[0003] Chinese patent discloses a multi-stage distributed stirred countercurrent extraction tower (publication number: CN 206823232 U). The specific structure consists of four parts: a raffinate settling section, a packed extraction section, a stirred distribution section, and an extract phase settling section. The raffinate settling section, packed extraction section, stirred distribution section, and extract phase settling section are connected from bottom to top and are internally interconnected. The extract phase settling section has an extract phase outlet at the top. However, this traditional stirred countercurrent extraction tower has problems such as obvious emulsification and easy volatility of the oil phase due to stirring and mixing. Separation requires a long settling time, resulting in low separation efficiency and inability to optimize separation (high cost). In addition, the tower body with stirring design makes the disassembly and assembly process such as cleaning, maintenance, and packing replacement labor-intensive and time-consuming. Therefore, a continuous extraction tower system is needed. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a method for two-phase mixing using a pipeline mixer. By increasing or decreasing the number of pipeline mixers and controlling the degree of mass transfer mixing of the mixture, the degree of emulsification can be controlled. The solution is mixed in the pipeline mixer and extracted and separated in the extraction tower. The combined tower body, connected by flanges, has an optimized structure. Disassembly allows for segmented maintenance and cleaning by separating the connecting flanges. This system has a simple structure, low energy consumption, and can efficiently achieve continuous extraction and separation of materials, which is conducive to industrial operation.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: A continuous extraction tower system according to this utility model includes an extraction tower, a pipeline mixer, a metering pump, and a storage tank; characterized in that: the extraction tower includes a base and a tower body, the tower body being sequentially configured from top to bottom as a clarification section, an extraction separation section, and a settling section, with each section connected by flanges; the bottom of the settling section is connected to the base, with a heavy phase outlet on one side and a drain outlet on the other side; the extraction separation section has a packing layer and a mixed phase inlet and a separation observation mirror on its side wall; the top of the clarification section has a clarification vent and a light phase outlet and a circular observation mirror on its side; the storage tank includes a solvent phase storage tank and an aqueous phase storage tank. The light phase outlet of the extraction tower can be equipped with a collection tank, or a secondary storage tank, a secondary extraction tower, etc., for multi-stage continuous extraction; the heavy phase outlet of the extraction tower can be equipped with a collection tank, or a secondary storage tank, a secondary extraction tower, etc., for multi-stage continuous extraction. The modular tower structure connected by flanges allows for segmented disassembly and maintenance (such as cleaning sediment in the settling section, replacing the packing layer, or inspecting the sight glass in the clarification section) without the need for overall disassembly and assembly, significantly improving maintenance convenience. The vertical distribution design of the clarification section and the extraction separation section utilizes gravity to naturally separate the light and heavy phases, avoiding additional power consumption. The sight glasses (separation sight glass + circular sight glass) enable visual monitoring of the separation process, facilitating real-time adjustment of operating parameters.

[0006] Preferably, both the solvent phase storage tank and the aqueous phase storage tank are equipped with heat exchange coils on their bottom inner walls, and each has a replenishment port, a tank vent, a liquid outlet, and a level gauge. The liquid outlet is connected to a metering pump via a pipeline, and the metering pump is connected to a pipeline mixer. The heat exchange coils are simple and easy to control, and can meet the mixing and extraction separation requirements of materials at different temperature control ranges. This avoids the problems of high cost and complicated operation associated with traditional devices that require a jacket layer in the extraction tower. The replenishment port and level gauge work together to ensure the stability of continuous liquid supply, the tank vent prevents gas accumulation from affecting the metering pump's delivery accuracy, and the linkage between the metering pump and the pipeline mixer achieves precise proportioning and delivery of the two phases.

[0007] Preferably, the pipeline mixer is a single-stage or multi-stage series structure, with its outlet connected to the mixed phase inlet of the extraction tower. The flexible configuration of single-stage or multi-stage series allows for precise control of the mixing degree of the oil and water phases (more stages mean more thorough mixing, fewer stages mean milder mixing), thereby specifically adjusting the degree of emulsification—avoiding the formation of an intermediate layer due to over-emulsification, while ensuring sufficient contact and mass transfer between the two phases, thus improving separation efficiency.

[0008] Preferably, the packing layer in the extraction and separation section is a permeable structured packing. Using a permeable structured packing can significantly increase the contact area between the two phase solutions, improve the extraction and separation effect, suppress the formation of an intermediate layer, reduce the consumption of the oil phase, and enhance the extraction effect.

[0009] Preferably, the extraction tower is made of steel lined with plastic. The steel-lined plastic tower body is rigid, corrosion-resistant, and allows for a larger length-to-diameter ratio, meeting the longer residence time required in extraction and separation, thus improving the separation effect. It also facilitates the installation of multiple observation mirrors for direct analysis and observation of the system's operating performance.

[0010] Preferably, the aqueous phase solution stored in the aqueous phase storage tank is an acidic or strongly acidic solution, and the oil phase solution stored in the solvent phase storage tank is an extractant; the design is tailored to the compatibility of acidic / strongly acidic aqueous phases (such as acidic leachates in hydrometallurgy) with oil phase extractants.

[0011] The advantages of this utility model are: This invention provides an innovative continuous extraction tower system that uses pipeline mixers for two-phase mixing. By increasing or decreasing the number of pipeline mixers, the mass transfer mixing degree of the mixture is precisely controlled, thereby effectively regulating the degree of emulsification. This avoids the emulsification and intermediate layer formation problems caused by over-mixing in traditional stirred extraction towers. The system adopts a staged treatment mode where the solution is efficiently mixed in the pipeline mixer and precisely separated in the extraction tower. Combined with a flanged modular tower structure, it achieves specialized division of labor and structural optimization of functional areas. When maintenance and cleaning are required, the tower can be disassembled and reassembled in sections simply by separating the connecting flanges. This allows for thorough cleaning of sediment in the settling section, rapid replacement of key packing layers in the extraction and separation section, and specialized maintenance of precision components such as the sight glass in the clarification section. This completely breaks through the limitation of traditional integral extraction towers that must be disassembled as a whole, greatly simplifying the maintenance process, significantly reducing manpower and time costs, and improving the convenience and operability of daily equipment maintenance. This system, through the synergistic effect of the pipeline mixer and the packing layer, not only precisely controls the degree of mixing between the two phases but also further suppresses the formation of an intermediate layer through the demulsification function of the permeable, structured packing. Combined with precise temperature control of the heat exchange coils and the corrosion-resistant design of the steel-lined plastic material, it achieves highly efficient mass transfer and separation of the oil and water phases. The overall system structure is simple and compact, avoiding the volatilization loss of the extractant (oil phase), reducing operating consumption, and saving operating costs. Simultaneously, it achieves continuous production in both the mixing and separation processes, significantly improving processing efficiency, with energy consumption levels significantly lower than traditional stirred equipment. Through flexible combinations of multiple systems, multi-stage continuous extraction operation can also be achieved, further improving separation purity and effectiveness. This series of technological advantages enables this system to efficiently achieve continuous extraction and separation of materials, perfectly adapting to the stringent requirements of large-scale industrial operations, and possessing significant technological advancement and practical value. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the continuous extraction tower system of this utility model.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the solvent phase storage tank and the aqueous phase storage tank of this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Heavy phase outlet; 3. Settling section; 4. Extraction and separation section; 5. Packing layer; 6. Clarification section; 7. Light phase outlet; 8. Clarification vent; 9. Separation observation mirror; 10. Drain; 11. Pipeline mixer; 12. Metering pump; 13. Make-up port; 14. Storage tank vent; 15. Heat exchange coil; 16. Tower body; 17. Level gauge; 18. Solvent phase storage tank; 19. Aqueous phase storage tank; 20. Mixed phase inlet; 21. Circular observation mirror. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model. Example

[0017] Please see Figure 1-2As shown, a continuous extraction tower system includes an extraction tower, a pipeline mixer 11, a metering pump 12, and a storage tank. The extraction tower comprises a base 1 and a tower body 16, which is arranged from top to bottom as a clarification section 6, an extraction separation section 4, and a settling section 3, with each section connected by flanges. The bottom of the settling section 3 is connected to the base 1, and the base 1 has a heavy phase outlet 2 on one side and a drain outlet 10 on the other side. The extraction separation section 4 has a packing layer 5 and a mixed phase inlet 20 and a separation observation mirror 9 on its side wall. The clarification section 6 has a clarification vent outlet 8 at the top and a light phase outlet 7 and a circular observation mirror 21 on its side. The storage tank includes a solvent phase storage tank 18 and an aqueous phase storage tank 19. The light phase outlet 7 of the extraction tower can be equipped with a collection tank, or a secondary storage tank, a secondary extraction tower, etc., for multi-stage continuous extraction. The heavy phase outlet 2 of the extraction tower can be equipped with a collection tank, or a secondary storage tank, a secondary extraction tower, etc., for multi-stage continuous extraction. The modular tower body 16 structure, connected by flanges, can be disassembled and maintained in sections (such as cleaning sediment in the settling section 3, replacing the packing layer 5, or inspecting the sight glass in the clarification section 6) without the need for overall disassembly and assembly, significantly improving the convenience of maintenance; the vertical distribution design of the clarification section 6 and the extraction separation section 4 utilizes gravity to naturally separate the light and heavy phases, avoiding additional power consumption; the observation sight glasses (separation observation sight glass 9 + circular observation sight glass 21) enable visual monitoring of the separation process, facilitating real-time adjustment of operating parameters.

[0018] In this embodiment, both the solvent phase storage tank 18 and the aqueous phase storage tank 19 are equipped with heat exchange coils 15 on their bottom inner walls, and are respectively provided with a replenishment port 13, a tank vent 14, a liquid outlet, and a level gauge 17. The liquid outlet is connected to a metering pump 12 via a pipeline, and the metering pump 12 is connected to a pipeline mixer 11. The heat exchange coils 15 are simple and easy to control, and can meet the mixing and extraction separation of materials in different temperature control ranges. This avoids the problems of high cost and complicated operation associated with the jacket layer in the extraction tower body 16 of traditional devices. The replenishment port 13 and the level gauge 17 work together to ensure the stability of continuous liquid supply, the tank vent 14 prevents gas accumulation from affecting the delivery accuracy of the metering pump 12, and the linkage between the metering pump 12 and the pipeline mixer 11 achieves precise proportioning and delivery of the two phases.

[0019] In this embodiment, the pipeline mixer 11 is a single-stage or multi-stage series structure, and its outlet is connected to the mixed phase inlet 20 of the extraction tower. The flexible configuration of single-stage or multi-stage series can precisely control the degree of mixing between the oil and water phases (the more stages, the more thorough the mixing; the fewer stages, the gentler the mixing), thereby specifically adjusting the degree of emulsification—avoiding the formation of an intermediate layer due to over-emulsification, while ensuring sufficient contact and mass transfer between the two phases, thus improving separation efficiency.

[0020] In this embodiment, the packing layer 5 within the extraction separation section 4 is a permeable structured packing. Using a permeable structured packing can significantly increase the contact area between the two phase solutions, improve the extraction and separation effect, suppress the formation of an intermediate layer, reduce the consumption of the oil phase, and enhance the extraction effect.

[0021] In this embodiment, the extraction tower is made of steel lined with plastic. The steel-lined plastic tower body 16 is made of a material with high rigidity and corrosion resistance, and can increase the length-to-diameter ratio to meet the longer residence time required in the extraction and separation process, thereby improving the separation effect. At the same time, it is convenient to set up multiple observation mirrors for intuitive analysis and observation of the system's operating effect.

[0022] In this embodiment, the aqueous phase solution stored in the aqueous phase storage tank 19 is an acidic and strongly acidic solution, and the oil phase solution stored in the solvent phase storage tank 18 is an extractant; the design is tailored to the compatibility of acidic / strongly acidic aqueous phases (such as acidic leachates in hydrometallurgy) with oil phase extractants.

[0023] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: Step 1: Raw material supply and flow control The solvent phase (oil phase / extractant) and liquid phase (aqueous phase / extractant) are stored in solvent phase storage tank 18 and aqueous phase storage tank 19, respectively, equipped with heat exchange coils 15. The temperature is precisely regulated by the heat exchange coils 15 at the bottom of the tanks (to adapt to different solubility requirements), and the liquid level gauge 17 monitors the liquid volume in real time. The metering pump 12 precisely controls the flow ratio of the two phases according to the required oil phase to aqueous phase volume ratio to ensure feed stability.

[0024] Step 2: Efficient Mixing and Emulsification Control The two-phase liquid, delivered by metering pump 12, enters pipeline mixer 11, where it is thoroughly mixed and mass transferred through a single-stage or multi-stage series structure (the number of stages can be flexibly adjusted). Pipeline mixer 11 replaces traditional stirring methods, suppressing emulsification by precisely controlling the degree of mixing, avoiding the formation of an intermediate layer due to over-mixing (reducing oil phase loss), and forming a uniformly dispersed mixed phase.

[0025] Step 3: Continuous feeding and gravity separation The mixed phase flows from the pipe mixer 11 into the mixed phase inlet 20 of the extraction tower, first entering the extraction separation section 4. This section is filled with permeable structured packing, which increases the contact area between the two phases, promoting efficient mass transfer of the target substance from the aqueous phase to the oil phase, and also utilizes the demulsification function of the packing to inhibit the formation of an intermediate layer. Subsequently, the mixture enters the settling section 3, where, under the action of gravity, the denser heavy phase (aqueous phase) settles and aggregates downwards, while the less dense light phase (oil phase) floats upwards, achieving natural stratification.

[0026] Step 4: Clarification and Continuous Discharge The stratified light phase rises to the clarification section 6 at the top of the extraction tower, where it is further clarified and then continuously discharged through the light phase outlet 7 (which can be connected to a collection tank or a secondary system). The heavy phase, which settles to the bottom, is continuously discharged through the heavy phase outlet 2 (which can be collected or further processed). The stratification state of the clarification section 6 and the settling section 3 is monitored in real time through a sight glass to ensure effective separation.

[0027] Step 5: Modular Maintenance and Multi-level Expansion The system adopts a modular design of flange-connected combined tower body 16 (clarification section 6, extraction separation section 4, and settling section 3). During maintenance, only the corresponding flanges need to be separated to clean the sediment in settling section 3, replace the packing in extraction separation section 4, and inspect the sight glass in clarification section 6, without the need for overall disassembly and assembly. Multiple extraction systems can be flexibly connected in series to improve the purity of the target substance through step-by-step separation, achieving multi-stage continuous extraction operation.

[0028] Step Six: Temperature Control and Material Compatibility The heat exchange coil 15 in the liquid storage tank precisely controls the temperature of the oil / water phase, avoiding the high cost and complex operation of traditional jacketed layers; the steel-lined plastic tower body 16 is made of a material resistant to acidic aqueous phase corrosion, supports a length-to-diameter ratio design to extend the residence time, and facilitates the installation of observation mirrors to monitor the operating status, adapting to complex working conditions.

[0029] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0030] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A continuous extraction tower system, comprising an extraction tower, a pipeline mixer (11), a metering pump (12), and a storage tank; characterized in that: The extraction tower includes a base (1) and a tower body (16). The tower body (16) is arranged from top to bottom as a clarification section (6), an extraction separation section (4), and a settling section (3), and the sections are connected by flanges. The bottom of the settling section (3) is connected to the base (1). The base (1) has a heavy phase outlet (2) on one side and a drain outlet (10) on the other side. The extraction separation section (4) has a packing layer (5) and a mixed phase inlet (20) and a separation observation mirror (9) on the side wall. The clarification section (6) has a clarification vent outlet (8) at the top and a light phase outlet (7) and a circular observation mirror (21) on the side. The storage tank includes a solvent phase storage tank (18) and an aqueous phase storage tank (19).

2. The continuous extraction tower system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solvent phase storage tank (18) and the aqueous phase storage tank (19) are both equipped with heat exchange coils (15) on the bottom inner walls, and are respectively equipped with a liquid replenishment port (13), a tank venting port (14), a liquid outlet and a liquid level gauge (17). The liquid outlet is connected to a metering pump (12) through a pipeline, and the metering pump (12) is connected to a pipeline mixer (11).

3. The continuous extraction tower system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pipeline mixer (11) is a single-stage or multi-stage series structure, and its outlet is connected to the mixed phase inlet (20) of the extraction tower.

4. The continuous extraction tower system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The packing layer (5) in the extraction and separation section (4) is a permeable, structured packing.

5. The continuous extraction tower system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extraction tower is made of steel lined with plastic.

6. A continuous extraction tower system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The aqueous phase solution stored in the aqueous phase storage tank (19) is an acidic and strongly acidic solution, and the oil phase solution stored in the solvent phase storage tank (18) is an extractant.

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