Interface position adjuster for liquid-liquid distribution device

Abstract

To provide an interface position adjuster for suppressing fluctuation in an interface position when flow rate fluctuates or ratio of flow rates of both phases changes with respect to a light liquid phase or a heavy liquid phase, or both of them.SOLUTION: In a liquid-liquid distribution device, an overflow plate serving as a weir is installed in a front of a flow with respect to a light liquid phase or the heavy liquid phase or both of them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10(a)

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interface position adjuster for use in a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distributor that performs forward extraction, washing, or stripping, or a combination of these operations, based on the partition reaction of substances contained in a liquid-liquid system having two immiscible liquid phases (a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase). By installing an overflow plate that acts as a weir ahead of the light liquid phase, the heavy liquid phase, or both, fluctuations in the interface position can be suppressed, allowing the normal interface position to be maintained at all times. [Background technology]

[0002] Liquid-liquid systems consisting of two immiscible liquid phases are widely used in fields such as chemistry. For example, liquid-liquid partitioning (also known as liquid-liquid extraction or solvent extraction), which utilizes the difference in the partitioning of substances between two liquid phases to separate, purify, recover, or remove substances, is a method for separating and refining metals and organic compounds, supporting key industries such as the metallurgical and chemical industries, and is extremely important as a separation and recovery technology for rare metals, which are essential in the high-tech industry. Liquid-liquid partitioning is also an important technology in the bioindustry. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When forward extraction, washing, or stripping, or a combination of these, is performed using a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distributor that has a mechanism that combines a reaction zone (where the partition reaction is progressing) where the partition reaction proceeds due to the mixing of the light liquid phase and the heavy liquid phase, and a buffer zone (where no reaction occurs and acts as a buffer between the reaction zones) where the phase-separated light liquid phase and the heavy liquid phase are located above and below the reactor vessel via the reaction zone, fluctuations in the flow rate of the light liquid phase, the heavy liquid phase, or both, or changes in the flow rate ratio of the two phases can cause the position of the interface between the two phases in the reactor vessel to fluctuate. In other words, the volumes of the two phases placed in the vessel can gradually change during operation of the reactor.

[0004] The present invention provides a mechanism for suppressing fluctuations in the interface position and always maintaining a normal interface position by installing an overflow plate that acts as a weir at the flow end of the light liquid phase, heavy liquid phase, or both in the multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distribution device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An interface position adjuster according to one aspect of the present invention is an interface position adjuster used in a multi-stage liquid-liquid distribution device having a structure in which a reaction section in which a distribution reaction of a substance proceeds by phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase coexists within a container having tier partition plates that connect each tier above and below, and a buffer section in which the phase-separated light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase exist across adjacent tiers above and below the container via the reaction section, and is characterized by having an overflow plate that allows the light liquid phase or heavy liquid phase present in the buffer section to move to the adjacent tier only by overflow.

[0006] In addition, an interface position adjuster according to another aspect of the present invention is an interface position adjuster used in a liquid-liquid distribution device having a structure in which a reaction section in which a distribution reaction proceeds by phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase coexists with a buffer section in which the phase-separated light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase are located above and below the container via the reaction section, and is characterized by having an overflow plate through which the light liquid phase or heavy liquid phase in the buffer section can migrate only by overflow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distribution device in which a reaction section in which a distribution reaction proceeds by phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase coexists with a buffer section in which the phase-separated light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase are located above and below the device vessel via the reaction section, by installing an overflow plate that acts as a weir ahead of the flow of the light liquid phase or the heavy liquid phase, or both, fluctuations in the interface position can be suppressed and the normal interface position can always be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1(a)]An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure, in which a heavy liquid phase is introduced from below the next stage and a light liquid phase is introduced from above the next stage, viewed from the heavy liquid phase side. [Figure 1(b)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure, in which the heavy liquid phase is introduced from below the next stage and the light liquid phase is introduced from above the next stage, viewed from the light liquid phase side. [Figure 1(c)] A diagram showing an example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that discharges the heavy liquid phase from the bottom of the equipment container and the light liquid phase from the top of the equipment container, viewed from the heavy liquid phase side. [Figure 1(d)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that discharges the heavy liquid phase from the bottom of the equipment container and the light liquid phase from the top of the equipment container, viewed from the light liquid phase side. [Figure 2(a)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that introduces the heavy liquid phase from above the next stage and the light liquid phase from above the next stage, viewed from the heavy liquid phase side (check valve type 1) [Figure 2(b)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that introduces the heavy liquid phase from above the next stage and the light liquid phase from above the next stage, viewed from the light liquid phase side (check valve type 1) [Figure 3(a)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that introduces the heavy liquid phase from above the next stage and the light liquid phase from above the next stage, viewed from the heavy liquid phase side (check valve type 2) [Figure 3(b)] An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that introduces the heavy liquid phase from above the next stage and the light liquid phase from above the next stage, viewed from the light liquid phase side (check valve type 2) [Figure 4(a)] An example of an interface position regulator with an integrated internal structure, in which the heavy liquid phase is introduced from below the next stage and the light liquid phase is also introduced from below the next stage, as seen from the heavy liquid phase side (check valve type 1). [Figure 4(b)] An example of an interface position regulator with an integrated internal structure, in which the heavy liquid phase is introduced from below the next stage and the light liquid phase is also introduced from below the next stage, as seen from the light liquid phase side (check valve type 1). [Figure 5(a)] An example of an interface position regulator with an integrated internal structure, in which the heavy liquid phase is introduced from below the next stage and the light liquid phase is also introduced from below the next stage, as seen from the heavy liquid phase side (check valve type 2) [Figure 5(b)]An example of an interface position adjuster with an integrated internal structure that introduces the heavy liquid phase from below the next stage and the light liquid phase from below the next stage, viewed from the light liquid phase side (check valve type 2) [Figure 6] An example of an interface position adjuster for a heavy liquid phase that is arranged via a communication port or piping, independent of the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distribution device. [Figure 7(a)] Example of an interface position adjuster for heavy liquid phase with a flat overflow plate [Figure 7(b)] Example of an interface position adjuster for heavy liquid phase with a flat overflow plate [Figure 8(a)] Example of an interface position adjuster for heavy liquid phase with a cylindrical overflow plate [Figure 8(b)] Example of an interface position adjuster for heavy liquid phase with a cylindrical overflow plate [Figure 9] A device vessel with the same zigzag flow path as in Figure 1(a) and Figure 1(b) but without an interface position adjuster for the heavy liquid phase [Figure 10(a)] Figure 1(a) shows the distribution of the reaction and buffer sections in the steady state in the device structure from the heavy liquid phase side. [Figure 10(b)] Figure 1(b) shows the distribution of the reaction and buffer sections in the steady state in the device structure from the light liquid phase side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a mechanism attached to a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distributor that includes a reaction section where a distribution reaction of a substance proceeds through the phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase, and a buffer section where the phase-separated two phases are located above and below the reaction section. By installing an overflow plate that acts as a weir ahead of the flow of the light liquid phase, the heavy liquid phase, or both, fluctuations in the interface position can be suppressed, and the normal interface position can always be maintained.

[0010] 1(a) to 6 show examples of interface position regulators installed in a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distributor, and Figures 7 and 8 show examples of the structure of an interface position regulator for a heavy liquid phase, but variations of the interface position regulator are not limited to those shown in these figures. Furthermore, all of the figures shown in Figures 1(a) to 6 are examples in which the interface position regulator of the present invention is applied to a liquid-liquid distributor having a zigzag flow path (a flow path formed by stacking two or more plates horizontally or at an angle from the horizontal) that is excellent for phase separation, but its application is not limited to those having a zigzag flow path.

[0011] Furthermore, the interface position regulator of the present invention is a mechanism attached to a multi-stage or single-stage liquid-liquid distributor that includes a reaction section in which a distribution reaction proceeds through the phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase, and buffer sections above and below the apparatus vessel where the two phases are separated via the reaction section, and can be applied to any type of liquid-liquid distributor. Therefore, it is not related to the method of phase mixing of the two phases. Here, a mechanically stirred liquid-liquid distributor is used as an example of a liquid-liquid distributor, but the interface position regulator of the present invention is not limited to mechanically stirred liquid distributors and can also be applied to devices that use a droplet jetting method or other method for phase mixing.

[0012] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show examples of mechanically agitated multi-stage liquid-liquid distributors. The interfacial position adjuster 1, which introduces the heavy liquid phase from below the next stage and the light liquid phase from above the next stage, is integrated into the internal structure of the vessel and allows the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase to flow from above the next stage. Here, the next stage refers to the stage located in the direction of the flow. In liquid-liquid distribution, a countercurrent contact method is commonly used, in which the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase flow from opposite sides (opposite stages). Therefore, Figures 1(a) and 1(b) also use a liquid transfer structure with countercurrent contact. Therefore, because the flow directions of the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase are opposite, the next stage for the heavy liquid phase and the next stage for the light liquid phase are necessarily different stages.

[0013] Figure 1(a) is a view from the heavy liquid phase side, and Figure 1(b) is a view from the light liquid phase side. As such, even within a single device, the interface position adjuster 1 must have separate mechanisms for adjusting the interface position relative to the flow of the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase. Note that the flow of the heavy liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 1(a), and the flow of the light liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 1(b).

[0014] Usually, the heavy liquid phase mechanism and the light liquid phase mechanism are installed half in one device, but this is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to install the light liquid phase structure in the center and the heavy liquid phase structure on both sides.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1(a), the interface position regulator 1 on the heavy liquid phase side requires the installation of an independent vertical overflow plate 17. The heavy liquid phase that exceeds the upper end of the overflow plate 17 located above the equipment vessel falls all the way to the bottom of the equipment vessel. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1(b), the interface position regulator that introduces the light liquid phase from above the next stage simply requires the installation of an overflow plate 17 that extends above the existing stage divider plate. Note that this type of overflow plate 17 on the light liquid phase side not only serves as the interface position regulator 1, but also serves to prevent the light liquid phase from passing through to the next stage.

[0016] Figures 1(c) and 1(d) show examples of a mechanically stirred single-stage liquid-liquid distributor in which an interface position adjuster is integrated into the internal structure of an equipment vessel having zigzag flow paths 15, 16. The interface position adjuster discharges the heavy liquid phase from the bottom of the equipment vessel and the light liquid phase from the top of the equipment vessel. Figure 1(c) shows the view from the heavy liquid phase side, and Figure 1(d) shows the view from the light liquid phase side. In this way, the mechanism of the interface position adjuster 1 can also be applied to single-stage liquid-liquid distributors. Note that the flow of the heavy liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 1(c), and the flow of the light liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 1(d).

[0017] Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show examples of a mechanically stirred multistage liquid-liquid distributor in which an interface position adjuster is integrated into the internal structure of the vessel, which introduces a heavy liquid phase from above the next stage and a light liquid phase from above the next stage into a vessel with zigzag flow paths 15 and 16. Figure 2(a) is a view from the heavy liquid phase side, and Figure 2(b) is a view from the light liquid phase side. The flow of the heavy liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 2(a), and the flow of the light liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 2(b).

[0018] The heavy liquid phase shown in Figure 2(a) passes over the overflow plate 17 of the interface position adjuster, is retained at the top of the equipment container, and then overflows from there. A check valve 23 is installed in the mechanism for retaining the heavy liquid phase at the top of the equipment container. This check valve 23 has the function of preventing backflow when the equipment is stopped.

[0019] On the other hand, the light liquid phase side shown in FIG. 2(b) has a structure in which an overflow plate 17 is installed on the extension line of the tier partition plate 19, and is similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1(b).

[0020] The structures shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) can also be applied to a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor, but as they are similar to Figures 1(c) and 1(d), their description will be omitted. For the same reason, descriptions of single-stage liquid-liquid distributors will also be omitted for the structures shown hereafter.

[0021] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) have the same basic structure as Figures 2(a) and 2(b), but the check valve 23 is more compact and simple. The structure in Figure 3(b) is the same as that in Figure 2(b). The check valve in Figure 2(a) is Type 1, and the check valve 23 in Figure 3(a) is Type 2.

[0022] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show examples of a mechanically stirred multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor in which an interface position adjuster 1 is integrated into the internal structure of an apparatus vessel having zigzag flow paths 15, 16. The interface position adjuster 1 introduces the heavy liquid phase from below the next stage and the light liquid phase from below the next stage. Figure 4(a) shows the view from the heavy liquid phase side, and Figure 4(b) shows the view from the light liquid phase side. Figure 4(a) has the same structure as Figure 1(a). The flow of the heavy liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 4(a), and the flow of the light liquid phase is indicated by dotted arrows in Figure 4(b).

[0023] In the structure shown in Figure 4(b), the light liquid phase passes over the overflow plate 17 installed on the extension line of the tiered partition plate 19, and is then guided to the bottom of the equipment vessel. In this structure, a check valve 23 is also installed, as in Figures 2(a) and 3(b). However, the check valve 23 in Figure 4(b) is upside down compared to the check valve 23 in Figures 2(a) and 3(b).

[0024] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) have the same basic structure as Figures 4(a) and 4(b), but the check valve 23 is more compact and simple. The check valve 23 in Figure 4(a) is Type 1, and the check valve in Figure 5(a) is Type 2.

[0025] The interface position regulator may be an external structure that is independent from the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distributor and is disposed around the liquid-liquid distributor via a communication port or piping. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, an interface position regulator 1 for the heavy liquid phase may be installed in front of an apparatus vessel having zigzag flow paths 15, 16 via a communication port 24 or a communicating piping, but this is not limited thereto.

[0026] 7 and 8 show examples of the externally mounted interface position regulator 1 for the heavy liquid phase, but this is not limiting. The structure of the overflow plate 17 shown on the right side of these figures, in which the height is variable, is not limited to external mounting, and can also be applied to the interface position regulator 1 integrated with the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distributor shown in Figures 1(a) to 5(b).

[0027] First, FIG. 7 shows a structure in which an overflow plate 17 made of a flat plate is arranged, and in the diagram on the right, two flat plates are stacked and slid to change the height of the flat plates.

[0028] Also, Figure 8 shows a structure in which an overflow plate 17 made of a cylinder is arranged, and in the figure on the right, two cylinders are stacked and slid to change the height of the cylinders. [Example]

[0029] The effects of fluctuations in the flow rate of the heavy liquid phase and changes in the ratio of the flow rates of both phases were compared for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distribution device with zigzag flow paths 15, 16 arranged above and below the device vessel shown in Figure 9, and a device in which an interface position adjuster 1 for the heavy liquid phase is integrated into the internal structure shown in Figure 9. The structure of the device in which an interface position adjuster 1 for the heavy liquid phase is applied to the internal structure of Figure 9, as seen from the heavy liquid phase side, is shown in Figure 1(a), and the structure as seen from the light liquid phase side is shown in Figure 1(b). In addition, in the structure shown in Figure 9, the interface position adjuster 1 for the light liquid phase (overflow plate) is already installed.

[0030] As a result of the comparison, it was found that the device using the interface position adjuster 1 for the heavy liquid phase shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b) was significantly less affected by fluctuations in the flow rate of the heavy liquid phase and changes in the ratio of the flow rates of both phases than the device not using the interface position adjuster shown in Figure 9. [Example]

[0031] For an apparatus in which an interface position adjuster 1 for the heavy liquid phase was applied externally to the internal structure shown in Figure 9, the influence of the interface position adjuster 1 on fluctuations in the flow rate of the heavy liquid phase and changes in the ratio of the flow rates of both phases was also investigated. The mechanism in which the interface position adjuster 1 for the heavy liquid phase was externally attached to the multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor shown in Figure 9 is shown in Figure 6. That is, a comparison was made between the structure with the external interface position adjuster shown in Figure 6 and the structure without the external interface position adjuster 1 shown in Figure 9.

[0032] As a result of the comparison, it was found that the device employing the interfacial position regulator 1 for the heavy liquid phase shown in Fig. 6 was significantly less affected by fluctuations in the flow rate of the heavy liquid phase and changes in the ratio of the flow rates of both phases than the device employing the interfacial position regulator 1 shown in Fig. 9. In other words, it was found that the external interfacial position regulator, like the integrated interfacial position regulator 1, was also able to suppress the effects of fluctuations in the flow rate of the heavy liquid phase and changes in the ratio of the flow rates of both phases. [Example]

[0033] Figures 10(a) and 10(b) show the distribution of the reaction section and buffer section in the steady state for an apparatus using an interface position regulator 1 for a heavy liquid phase with an integrated internal structure, with the heavy liquid phase side shown in Figure 1(a) and the light liquid phase side shown in Figure 1(b). Figure 10(a) shows the distribution of the reaction section 14 and buffer section 13 on the heavy liquid phase side, and Figure 10(b) shows the distribution of the reaction section 14 and buffer section 13 on the light liquid phase side. As shown in Figure 10(a), it was found that the interface position regulator 1 functions separately from the reaction section. In other words, there is no light liquid phase mixed in in an emulsion state in the interface position regulator 1 for the heavy liquid phase. [Industrial Applicability]

[0034] It has been found that by applying the interface position adjuster of the present invention to multi-stage and single-stage liquid-liquid distribution devices in which phase mixing and phase separation occur simultaneously, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the interface position within the device container and always maintain a normal interface position, even if the flow rate fluctuates or the ratio of the flow rates of the heavy liquid phase and the light liquid phase changes.

[0035] The present invention significantly improves the efficiency and stability of liquid-liquid distribution devices, and is expected to bring about innovation in a wide variety of industrial fields that utilize two-liquid phase systems, such as metallurgy, chemistry, biology, and semiconductors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1...Interface position adjuster 12...Agitator 13...Buffer section 14...Reaction section 15...Zigzag flow path on the light liquid phase side 16...Zigzag flow path on the heavy liquid phase side 17...Overflow board 19...Divider board 23...Check valve 24...Communication port

Claims

1. An interface position adjuster for use in a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor having a structure in which a reaction section in which a distribution reaction of substances proceeds by phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase coexists within a container equipped with stage partition plates that connect each stage above and below, and a buffer section in which the phase-separated light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase exist across adjacent stages above and below the container via the reaction section, characterized in that the interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor is equipped with an overflow plate that allows the light liquid phase or heavy liquid phase present in the buffer section to move to the adjacent stage only by overflow.

2. 2. An interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the light liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced into the next stage from above the next stage.

3. 2. An interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the light liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced into the next stage from below the next stage.

4. 2. An interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the heavy liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced into the next stage from below the next stage.

5. 2. The interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the heavy liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced into the next stage from above the next stage.

6. 6. An interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein said interface position adjuster is integrated with an internal structure of said liquid-liquid distributor.

7. 6. An interface position adjuster for a multi-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 1, wherein the interface position adjuster is arranged independently from the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distributor via a communication port or a pipe.

8. An interface position adjuster for use in a liquid-liquid distributor having a structure in which a reaction section in which a distribution reaction proceeds by phase mixing of a light liquid phase and a heavy liquid phase coexists with a buffer section in which the phase-separated light liquid phase and heavy liquid phase are located above and below the container via the reaction section, the interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor characterized by having an overflow plate through which the light liquid phase or heavy liquid phase in the buffer section can move only by overflow.

9. 9. The interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 8, wherein the light liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced further into the vessel from above.

10. 9. The interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 8, wherein the light liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced from the bottom of the device vessel.

11. 9. The interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 8, wherein the heavy liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced from the bottom of the device vessel.

12. 9. The interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor according to claim 8, wherein the heavy liquid phase overflows from the upper end of the overflow plate and is then introduced from above the device container.

13. 13. An interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor, according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the interface position adjuster is integrated with the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distributor.

14. 13. An interface position adjuster for a single-stage liquid-liquid distributor, according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the interface position adjuster is arranged independently from the internal structure of the liquid-liquid distributor via a communication port or piping.

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