Solvent extraction method and system
The use of discontinuously packed columns addresses inefficiencies in solvent phase separation by enhancing the extraction of target species between immiscible phases, thereby improving the separation process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- HK · HK
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- INNOVATION METALS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods are inefficient in separating target species between immiscible solvent phases, particularly in co-current extraction processes.
A method involving the use of discontinuously packed columns to facilitate the extraction of target species from a first solvent phase to a second solvent phase by passing both phases through a group of columns containing a specific medium, ensuring contact and separation.
Enhances the extraction efficiency of target species from one solvent phase to another, improving the separation process.
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Abstract
Description
This invention relates to a method for separating one or more target species from a first solvent phase. The method involves passing a first portion of a first solvent phase and a second solvent phase containing one or more target species through a first group of one or more columns containing a discontinuously packed medium. The first and second solvent phases are immiscible with each other, and the flows of the first and second solvent phases are co-current. The first and second solvent phases are brought into contact with each other to allow extraction of one or more target species from the first solvent phase to the second solvent phase. A system for carrying out the method disclosed in this invention is also disclosed. Abstract
Claims
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method for separation of one or more target species from a first solvent phase, the method comprising: passing the first solvent phase containing the one or more target species, and a first portion of a second solvent phase, through a first set of one or more columns containing discontinuous packing medium, wherein the first solvent phase and second solvent phase are immiscible with one another, and flow of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase is co-current; and permitting the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase to contact one another to allow extraction of the one or more target species from the first solvent phase to the second solvent phase.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of one or more columns is upright and flow of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase is downwards.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the discontinuous packing medium comprises a first zone containing a first discontinuous media and a second zone containing a second discontinuous media, and wherein the first discontinuous media comprises hydrophobic particles and the second discontinuous media comprises hydrophilic particles.
4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discontinuous packing medium comprises particles having a diameter of about 5 mm or less.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the particles have a diameter in the range of from about 1 to about 3 mm.
6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the particles are substantially spherical or ovoid beads.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the beads are polymer beads.
8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more columns is a contactor column.
9. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, further comprising the step of passing the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase through a coalescer to coalesce the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the coalescer comprises a further packing medium.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the further packing medium is present in a cartridge.
12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising separating the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase after passing through the first set of one or more columns.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of recycling the first solvent phase and / or the second solvent phase.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, further comprising: passing the first solvent phase, and a second portion of the second solvent phase, through a second set of one or more columns containing discontinuous packing medium, wherein flow of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase is co-current; and permitting the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase to contact one another to allow extraction of the one or more target species from the first solvent phase to the second solvent phase.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising separating the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase after passing through the second set of one or more columns.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of recycling the first solvent phase and / or the second solvent phase.
17. A system for extraction of one or more target species from a first solvent phase to a second solvent phase, the system comprising: a first set of one or more columns containing discontinuous packing medium, wherein the system is configured for co-current flow of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase in the first set of one or more columns, and permits contact of the first solvent phase with the second solvent phase as the solvents flow through the discontinuous packing medium.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first set of one or more columns is upright and is configured for downward flow of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase.
19. The system of claim 17 or 18, further comprising a manifold for permitting flow of the first solvent phase and / or the second solvent phase to the first set of one or more columns.
20. The system of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the particles have a diameter of about 5 mm or less.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the particles have a diameter in the range of about 1 to about 3 mm.
22. The system according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the particles are substantially spherical or ovoid beads.
23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the beads are polymer beads.
24. The system of any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the one or more columns is a contactor column.
25. The system of any one of claims 17 to 24, further comprising a coalescer positioned downstream from the first set of one or more columns, wherein the coalescer coalesces the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase.
26. The system of embodiment 25, wherein the coalescer comprises further packing medium.
27. The system of embodiment 26, wherein the further packing medium is present in a cartridge.
28. The system of embodiment 26 or 27, wherein the further packing medium is a hydrophilic discontinuous medium.
29. The system of embodiment 26 or 27, wherein the further packing medium is a hydrophobic discontinuous medium.
30. The system of any one of claims 17 to 29, further comprising a first settler tank permitting separation of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase after passing through the first set of one or more columns.
31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a recycle control means in fluid communication with the first settler tank permitting recycling of a separated first solvent phase and / or a separated second solvent phase after passing through the first set of one or more columns.
32. The system of claim 30 or 31, further comprising: a second set of one or more columns containing discontinuous packing medium, wherein the system is configured for co-current flow of the first solventphase and the second solvent phase, and permits contact of the first solvent phase with the second solvent phase as the solvents flow through the discontinuous packing medium.
33. The system of claim 32, further comprising a second settler tank permitting separation of the first solvent phase and the second solvent phase after passing through the second set of one or more columns.
34. The system of claim 33, further comprising a recycle control means in fluid communication with the second settler tank permitting recycling of a separated first solvent phase and / or a separated second solvent phase after passing through the second set of one or more columns.
35. A process for purification of one or more target species, the process comprising: an extraction step in fluid communication with a scrubbing step, and a stripping step in fluid communication with the scrubbing step, wherein at least one of the extraction step, scrubbing step and the stripping step comprises the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16.
36. The process of claim 35, further comprising a wash step in fluid communication with the stripping step, and a pre-neutralization step in fluid communication with the wash step.
37. The process of claim 36, wherein at least one of the wash step and the preneutralization step comprises the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to38. A system for purification of one or more target species, the system comprising: an extraction stage in fluid communication with a scrubbing stage, and a stripping stage in fluid communication with the scrubbing stage, wherein at least one of the extraction stage, scrubbing stage and the stripping stage comprises the system as defined in any one of claims 17 to 34.
39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a wash stage in fluid communication with the stripping stage, and a pre-neutralization stage in fluid communication with the wash stage.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein at least one of the wash stage and the preneutralization stage comprises the system as defined in any one of claims 17 to 34.