Vertical solvent extraction device and solvent extraction system including multiple vertical solvent extraction devices

Abstract

A solvent extraction device according to a disclosed embodiment comprises: a mixer which includes a mixing container, a first solvent inlet, a second solvent inlet, a mixed solvent outlet and an impeller, and which mixes a first solvent and a second solvent of different densities by means of the impeller so as to generate a mixed solvent; a settler which includes a settling container, a mixed solvent inlet, a first solvent outlet and a second solvent outlet, and which separates the mixed solvent according to density differences; and a connection tube for connecting the mixed solvent outlet of the mixer and the mixed solvent inlet of the settler, wherein the settling container of the settler includes an upper surface, a lower surface formed on the side opposite to the upper surface, and lateral surfaces extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the mixed solvent inlet can be formed at the lateral surface of the settling container or inside the settling container.

Description

A solvent extraction system comprising a vertical solvent extraction device and a plurality of vertical solvent extraction devices.

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solvent extraction system comprising a vertical solvent extraction device and a plurality of vertical solvent extraction devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a solvent extraction system comprising a vertical solvent extraction device and a plurality of vertical solvent extraction devices, which separate metal ions and impurity ions by mixing an organic solvent into an aqueous solvent containing metal ions, and then separate the metal ions by the density difference between the aqueous solvent and the organic solvent.

[0002] A solvent extraction device is a device that separates target metal ions and impurity ions by selectively extracting the ions by mixing an organic solvent with an aqueous solvent containing metal ions. To achieve a continuous reaction of a certain scale or higher for the separation of metal ions and impurity ions, the process is performed in an oil-water separation device, commonly referred to as a mixer-settler.

[0003] Mixer settlers have various shapes and structures depending on the type of target metal. For example, there are (i) a Krebs mixer settler in which phase separation occurs in a top launder and then moves to a settler below, (ii) a reserve flow mixer settler in which the launder is attached to the side of the settler so that the solvent moves to the opposite end of the mixer and then flows into the settler, and (iii) an Outokumpu VSF (vertical smooth flow) mixer settler in which a picket fence is provided inside the settler to ensure that phase separation occurs in a high-density state immediately after mixing of the aqueous and organic phases in the mixer.

[0004] In a solvent extraction device, the fluid flow is basically carried out by mixing the aqueous solvent and the organic solvent in a mixer for a certain period of time to extract the target metal ion, and then transferring the mixture to a settler for layer separation due to the density difference between the aqueous solvent and the organic solvent. In the case of the general mixer settler mentioned above, the mixer and the settler are positioned horizontally, and the heights of the mixer and the settler are similar or the same. Among the overall size of the mixer settler, the overall length of the mixer settler is typically about three times or more than the height.

[0005] However, conventional devices have the disadvantage of lowering work efficiency and increasing initial investment costs because the area required for actual process construction is larger than that of a general wet refining process due to the characteristics of the solvent extraction process, which requires organic reactions by continuously connecting mixer settlers of at least 5 stages and at most 100 stages while maintaining a constant reaction level.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a solvent extraction device having a reduced unit structure installation scale due to a vertical structure and improved separation of an aqueous solvent and an organic solvent.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides embodiments of a solvent extraction device. A solvent extraction device according to a representative embodiment includes a mixing vessel, a first solvent inlet, a second solvent inlet, a mixed solvent outlet, and an impeller, wherein a mixer in which a first solvent and a second solvent having different densities are mixed by the impeller to produce a mixed solvent, a sedimentation vessel, a mixed solvent inlet, a first solvent outlet, and a second solvent outlet, and a sedimentation vessel that separates the mixed solvent according to the density difference, and a connecting tube connecting the mixed solvent outlet of the mixer and the mixed solvent inlet of the sedimentation vessel, wherein the sedimentation vessel of the sedimentation vessel includes an upper surface, a lower surface formed on an opposite side of the upper surface, and a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the mixed solvent inlet may be formed on a side surface of the sedimentation vessel or inside the sedimentation vessel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the mixed solvent inlet may be formed at a position spaced apart from the upper surface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the mixed solvent inlet may be formed between 0.3 and 0.7 of the height of the settling vessel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mixed solvent outlet of the mixer may be positioned at a higher position than the mixed solvent inlet of the settler.

[0011] In one embodiment, the mixed solvent inlet of the sedimentation device may be positioned between the positions of the first solvent outlet and the second solvent outlet.

[0012] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a buffer disposed between the mixed solvent inlet and the connecting tube, wherein the buffer may be disposed to surround all or part of a side of the sedimentation vessel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sedimentation vessel may further include a plurality of diaphragms arranged within the sedimentation vessel so as to extend across the height direction of the sedimentation vessel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the diaphragm may be formed into a mesh structure.

[0015] In one embodiment, the diaphragm includes a through hole, and the positions of the through holes between adjacent diaphragms among the plurality of diaphragms may be arranged to be offset from each other when viewed in the height direction of the sedimentation device.

[0016] In one embodiment, the height direction length of the sedimentation device may be greater than the height direction length of the mixer.

[0017] In one embodiment, the height direction length of the sedimentation device may be 3 to 9 times greater than the width direction length of the sedimentation device.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first solvent may be an organic solvent and the second solvent may be an aqueous solvent.

[0019] One aspect of the present disclosure provides embodiments of a solvent extraction system. A solvent extraction system according to a representative embodiment includes a plurality of solvent extraction devices, each of the solvent extraction devices including a mixing vessel, a first solvent inlet, a second solvent inlet, a mixed solvent outlet, and an impeller, wherein a first solvent and a second solvent having different densities are mixed by the impeller to produce a mixed solvent, a settling vessel, a mixed solvent inlet, a first solvent outlet, and a second solvent outlet, and a settling vessel for separating the mixed solvent according to the density difference, and a connecting tube connecting the mixed solvent outlet of the mixer and the mixed solvent inlet of the settling vessel, wherein the settling vessel of the settling vessel includes an upper surface, a lower surface formed on an opposite side of the upper surface, and a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the mixed solvent inlet is formed on a side surface of the settling vessel, and wherein each of the solvent extraction devices is organically connected to each other to exchange the first solvent, the second solvent, and the mixed solvent.

[0020] In one embodiment, the solvent extraction system includes a first device and a second device, a first solvent discharged from a sedimentation tank of the first device is introduced into a mixer of the second device, a second solvent discharged from a sedimentation tank of the second device is introduced into a mixer of the first device, and the second solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the first device and the first solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the second device can each be recovered.

[0021] According to the solvent extraction device and solvent extraction system of the present disclosure, the installation size of the unit structure can be reduced by using a vertical structure. Furthermore, according to the solvent extraction device and solvent extraction system of the present disclosure, the separation degree of the aqueous solvent and the organic solvent can be improved.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a solvent extraction device according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a solvent extraction device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of internal fluid in a sedimentation device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of internal fluid in a sedimentation device according to another embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of fluid inside a sedimentation device according to another embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a connection tube according to another embodiment inserted into the interior of a sedimentation vessel so that a mixed solvent inlet is formed inside the sedimentation vessel.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a solvent extraction system according to one embodiment.

[0029] The embodiments of this disclosure are provided for the purpose of illustrating the technical concepts of this disclosure. The scope of rights under this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments presented below or the specific descriptions of these embodiments.

[0030] All technical and scientific terms used in this disclosure, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. All terms used in this disclosure have been selected for the purpose of more clearly explaining this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of rights under this disclosure.

[0031] Expressions such as “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and the like used in this disclosure should be understood as open-ended terms that imply the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence in which the expression is included.

[0032] The singular forms described in this disclosure may include plural meanings unless otherwise stated, and the same applies to the singular forms described in the claims.

[0033] The expressions “first,” “second,” etc. used in this disclosure are used to distinguish between multiple components, and do not limit the order or importance of the components.

[0034] In the present disclosure, “height direction” or “length direction” may be interpreted to mean the Z-axis direction of FIGS. 1 to 7. Additionally, “width direction” in the present disclosure may be interpreted to mean any direction on a plane where the X-axis and Y-axis of FIGS. 1 to 7 intersect.

[0035] In this disclosure, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or connected to the other component, or can be connected or connected via a new other component.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments below, redundant descriptions of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a solvent extraction device (10) according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a solvent extraction device (10) according to one embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the solvent extraction device (10) may include a mixer (11), a settler (12), a connecting tube (13), a second solvent rising portion (14), and a buffer portion (15). The solvent extraction device (10) is a device that mixes a first solvent and a second solvent in a mixer (11) (e.g., a mixer) to cause a chemical reaction, transfers the mixed solvent mixed in the mixer (11) to a settler (12) (e.g., a settler), and separates the first solvent and the second solvent by a density difference, thereby extracting target ions. The first solvent and the second solvent may be solvents having different densities. For example, the density of the second solvent may be greater than that of the first solvent. For example, the first solvent may be an organic solvent, and the second solvent may be an aqueous solvent.

[0039] In one embodiment, the mixer (11) may include a mixing vessel (111) for mixing a first solvent and a second solvent to produce a mixed solvent, a first solvent inlet (112), a second solvent inlet (113), a mixed solvent outlet (114), an impeller (115), and a raw material input port (116). The mixing vessel (111) may be configured in the shape of a cylinder or a prism. The mixing vessel (111) is a space where the first solvent introduced from the first solvent inlet (112) and the second solvent introduced from the second solvent inlet (113) are mixed. The mixing vessel (111) has a specific height (L M) may have. The first solvent inlet (112) is an inlet through which the first solvent is introduced from the outside, and may be formed at the bottom of the mixing vessel (111). The second solvent inlet (113) is an inlet through which the second solvent is introduced from the outside, and may be formed at the bottom of the mixing vessel (111). The first solvent inlet (112) and the second solvent inlet (113) may be formed on the side of the mixing vessel (111). In this case, the first solvent inlet (112) and the second solvent inlet (113) may be formed at the same height on the side of the mixing vessel (111). The mixed solvent outlet (114) is an outlet through which the mixed solvent is discharged to the outside of the mixer (11), and may be formed at the top of the mixing vessel (111). Since the mixed solvent outlet (114) is formed at the top of the mixing vessel (111), the mixed solvent sufficiently mixed by the impeller (115) can be discharged to the outside of the mixer (11). The impeller (115) can be rotated by a motor (117) located at the top of the impeller. In the process of forcibly mixing the first solvent and the second solvent inside the mixing vessel (111) by the impeller (115), a chemical reaction can occur in which the target component in the second solvent dissolves in the first solvent. The auxiliary material input unit (116) can include a first auxiliary material input unit (116a) and a second auxiliary material input unit (116b). The auxiliary material input into the mixing vessel (111) through the auxiliary material input unit (116) can be a material that assists the chemical reaction occurring inside the mixing vessel (111). In the process of mixing the first solvent and the second solvent inside the mixing vessel (111), the auxiliary material is mixed together, thereby having a synergistic effect on the chemical reaction occurring due to the mixing of the first solvent and the second solvent.

[0040] In one embodiment, the sedimentation vessel (12) may include a sedimentation vessel (121) in which separation of the mixed solvent occurs, a mixed solvent inlet (122) through which the mixed solvent in the mixer (11) flows into the interior of the sedimentation vessel (121), a first solvent outlet (123) and a second solvent outlet (124) through which the first solvent and the second solvent separated again in the sedimentation vessel (121) are discharged, respectively. The sedimentation vessel (121) may be configured in the shape of a cylinder or a prism. The sedimentation vessel (121) is a space in which the mixed solvent flowing in through the mixed solvent inlet (122) is separated by the density difference of each solvent. The sedimentation vessel (121) may have a specific height (L S ) and a specific width (W S ) can have a height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) of the sedimentation device (12) S ) is the height (L) of the mixing vessel (111) of the mixer (11). M ) may be greater than the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121). S ) is the width (W) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) may be greater than the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121). Preferably, the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) is the width (W) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) may be 3 times or more and 9 times or less than the height of the sedimentation vessel (121). More preferably, the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) is the width (W) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) can be 3 to 6 times greater than that.

[0041] In one embodiment, the sedimentation vessel (121) may include an upper surface (121a), a lower surface (121b) formed on the opposite side of the upper surface, and a side surface (121c) extending between the upper surface (121a) and the lower surface (121b). When the sedimentation vessel (121) has a cylindrical shape, the side surface (121c) may be formed as a single curved surface, and when the sedimentation vessel (121) has a prism shape, the side surface (121c) may include a number of planes corresponding to the angles of the prisms. The mixed solvent inlet (122) may be formed in the side surface (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). Preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122) may be formed at a position spaced apart from the upper surface (121a) among the side surfaces (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). More preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122) is positioned at a height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) relative to the side (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). S ) can be formed between the 0.3 point and the 0.7 point. More preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122) is formed at a height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) with respect to the side (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). S ) can be formed at the center point of the sedimentation vessel (121). The first solvent outlet (123) can be formed at the upper portion of the side surface (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). The second solvent outlet (124) can be formed at the lower portion of the side surface (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). When the density of the second solvent is greater than that of the first solvent, the first solvent rises and the second solvent descends, so the first solvent outlet (123) can be formed at the upper portion of the sedimentation vessel (121), and the second solvent outlet (124) can be formed at the lower portion of the sedimentation vessel (121). In one embodiment, the mixed solvent inlet (122) can be arranged between the first solvent outlet (123) and the second solvent outlet (124). The mixed solvent introduced through the mixed solvent inlet (122) from the mixer (11) can be separated into a first solvent and a second solvent by the density difference.

[0042] In one embodiment, the connecting tube (13) can fluidly connect the mixed solvent outlet (114) of the mixer (11) and the mixed solvent inlet (122) of the settler (12). The mixed solvent mixed in the mixer (11) can move to the settler (12) along the connecting tube (13). In order for the mixed solvent to move smoothly through the connecting tube (13), the mixed solvent outlet (114) of the mixer (11) should be positioned higher than the mixed solvent inlet (122) of the settler (12) so that the mixed solvent can easily move by gravity.

[0043] In one embodiment, the second solvent rising portion (14) may include a rising tube (141), a rising inlet (142), and a rising outlet (143). In the settler (12), the first solvent and the second solvent are separated by the density difference, so that at least one of the two solvents (e.g., the second solvent) inevitably descends. In this case, in order to supply the descended second solvent to a mixer (e.g., the mixer (21) of FIG. 7) of another solvent extraction device (e.g., the solvent extraction device (20) of FIG. 7), a device for raising the solvent is required. The second solvent discharged from the second solvent discharge port (124) of the settler (12) may flow into the rising inlet (142) and move in the opposite direction of gravity along the rising tube (141). At this time, the second solvent may be pushed upward by the pressure of the second solvent flowing into the rising tube (141). Alternatively, the second solvent may be raised through a rising tube (141) by an external force (e.g., a pump). When the second solvent rises above a certain height, it may be discharged from at least one rising outlet (143) and supplied to another solvent extraction device.

[0044] In one embodiment, the buffer unit (15) can connect the connecting tube (13) and the mixed solvent inlet (122). The buffer unit (15) can include a buffer tube (151) and a connecting end (152). The buffer tube (151) can be arranged to surround all or part of the side surface (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121). The buffer tube (151) can be arranged to surround all or part of the side surface (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121) at a predetermined distance from the side surface (121c). The connecting end (152) can fluidly connect the buffer tube (151) and the mixed solvent inlet (122) of the sedimentation vessel (12). A plurality of connecting ends (152) can be arranged along the circumference of the side surface (121c). The connecting ends (152) can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the circumference of the side surface (121c). For example, referring to FIG. 2, four connecting ends (152) may be arranged along the circumference of the side (121c), and may be arranged at 90-degree intervals. The buffer unit (15) allows the mixed solvent discharged from the mixer (11) to remain for a certain period of time before reaching the mixed solvent inlet (122), thereby inducing separation primarily due to density difference, and by allowing the mixed solvent to be introduced simultaneously from multiple directions surrounding the side (121c) of the sedimentation vessel (121) through a plurality of connecting ends (152), the separation effect of the mixed solvent can be maximized.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic drawing showing the flow of fluid inside a sedimentation device (12) according to one embodiment.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, a mixed solvent may be introduced into a sedimentation vessel (121) through a mixed solvent inlet (122) of a sedimentation device (12). The introduced mixed solvent may be separated into a first solvent (S1) and a second solvent (S2) due to a density difference inside the sedimentation vessel (121). In the process of separating the mixed solvent, the first solvent (S1) having a relatively low density may rise, and the second solvent (S2) having a relatively high density may descend. The first solvent (S1) may be discharged through a first solvent discharge port (123) arranged at an upper portion of the sedimentation vessel (121). The second solvent (S2) may be discharged through a second solvent discharge port (124) arranged at a lower portion of the sedimentation vessel (121). However, at the moment when the first solvent (S1) flows into the sedimentation vessel (121) through the mixed solvent inlet (122), the first solvent (S1) may temporarily descend due to turbulence and gravity, and the second solvent (S2) may also temporarily rise due to the same principle. At this time, if the distance from the mixed solvent inlet (122) to the second solvent outlet (124) is long, the phenomenon in which the first solvent (S1) is incorrectly discharged to the second solvent outlet (124) due to the descent of the first solvent due to gravity, or the second solvent (S2) is incorrectly discharged to the first solvent outlet (123) due to the rise of the second solvent, can be minimized. That is, the height of the sedimentation vessel (121) (e.g., the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel in FIG. 1) S )) is longer, the separation effect utilizing the specific gravity difference between the first solvent and the second solvent can be maximized. Preferably, the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) is the width (W) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) may be 3 times or more and 9 times or less than the height of the sedimentation vessel (121). More preferably, the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) is the width (W) of the sedimentation vessel (121) S ) can be 3 to 9 times greater than that.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating the flow of fluid inside a sedimentation device (12) according to another embodiment. Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating the flow of fluid inside a sedimentation device (12) according to another embodiment.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sedimentation device (12) of the solvent extraction device (10) may further include a diaphragm (16, 17). The diaphragms (16, 17) may be arranged inside the sedimentation vessel (121) so as to cross the height direction of the sedimentation device (12). A plurality of diaphragms (16, 17) may be arranged along the height direction of the sedimentation device (12). In the process of separating the mixed solvent inside the sedimentation vessel (121), the diaphragms (16, 17) obstruct the free flow of solvents, thereby increasing the time that the solvent remains inside the sedimentation vessel (121), thereby further improving the degree of separation.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the diaphragm (16) may be formed of a solid material that does not allow liquid to pass through. In one embodiment, the diaphragm (16) may include a through hole (161). The through hole (161) may be formed to penetrate the diaphragm (16) in the height direction (Z-axis direction). The first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) may rise or fall, respectively, through the through hole (161). The first solvent (S1) having a low density may temporarily fall when it flows into the interior of the settling vessel (121), but may rise again when it hits the diaphragm (16) installed at the lower portion of the mixed solvent inlet (122). The second solvent (S2) having a high density may temporarily rise when it flows into the interior of the settling vessel (121), but may fall again when it hits the diaphragm (16) installed at the upper portion of the mixed solvent inlet (122). Continuing with reference to FIG. 4, the through holes (161) of the partitions (16) may be arranged to be misaligned between adjacent partitions (16) when viewed in the height direction (Z-axis direction). For example, when the inside of the sedimentation vessel (121) is viewed from the front, the through holes (161) installed between adjacent partitions (16) may be formed in opposite directions. Depending on the arrangement of the through holes (161), the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) may rise and fall and move in a meandering manner inside the sedimentation vessel (121). By forming the movement path of the solvent to be artificially longer depending on the arrangement of the through holes (161), the time that the solvent remains inside the sedimentation vessel (121) may be increased, thereby further improving the separation degree of the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2).

[0050] Referring to Fig. 5, the partition (17) may be formed of a mesh. The partition (17) may be formed of a mesh structure. The partition (17) having a mesh or mesh structure allows the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) to pass through, but may impede the flow of the solvent. Due to the flow impediment caused by the partition (17), the time for which the solvent remains inside the sedimentation vessel (121) increases, thereby further improving the separation degree of the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2).

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing showing a connection tube (13') according to another embodiment inserted into the interior of a sedimentation vessel (121), so that a mixed solvent inlet (122') is formed inside the sedimentation vessel (121).

[0052] Referring to FIG. 6, the mixed solvent outlet (114) of the mixer (11) may extend further from the mixing vessel (e.g., the mixing vessel (111) of FIG. 1) and be connected to one end of a connecting tube (13'). In one embodiment, the connecting tube (13') may penetrate the upper surface (121a) of the settling vessel (121) and be introduced into the interior of the settling vessel (121). The connecting tube (13') introduced into the interior of the settling vessel (121) may extend downward in the height direction of the settling vessel (121). A mixed solvent inlet (122') may be connected to the other end of the connecting tube (13') disposed inside the settling vessel (121). The mixed solvent inlet (122') may be disposed spaced apart from the upper surface (121a) of the settling vessel (121). Preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122') is at the height (L) of the settling vessel (121). S ) can be formed between the 0.3 point and the 0.7 point. More preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122') is formed between the height (L) of the sedimentation vessel (121). S) can be formed at the center point of the sedimentation vessel. Referring still to FIG. 6, the mixed solvent inlet (122') can be arranged so that the mixed solvent is sprayed in a direction transverse to the height direction of the sedimentation vessel (121). Preferably, the mixed solvent inlet (122') can be arranged so that the mixed solvent is sprayed in a direction perpendicular to the height direction of the sedimentation vessel (121). As the mixed solvent inlet (122') is arranged inside the sedimentation vessel (121), various process problems that may occur during the process of the mixed solvent moving to the sedimentation vessel (121) can be reduced, and the equipment of the solvent extraction device (e.g., the solvent extraction device (10) of FIG. 1) and the solvent extraction system (e.g., the solvent extraction system (1) of FIG. 7) can be simplified.

[0053] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a solvent extraction system (1) according to one embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 7, the solvent extraction system (1) may include a plurality of solvent extraction devices. For example, the solvent extraction system (1) may include a first device (10'), a second device (20'), a third device (30'), and a fourth device (40'). Each of the first device (10'), the second device (20'), the third device (30'), and the fourth device (40') may include components of the solvent extraction device (10) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In FIG. 7, the solvent extraction system (1) is illustrated as including a total of four stages of solvent extraction devices, but may include at most 100 stages or more of solvent extraction devices. The first device (10'), the second device (20'), the third device (30'), and the fourth device (40') are organically connected to each other to exchange the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2). For example, the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) may flow in opposite directions, and mixing and separation may be repeated.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, the first solvent (S1) is introduced into the mixer (11) of the first device (10'), and is sequentially mixed and separated in the first device (10'), the second device (20'), the third device (30'), and the fourth device (40'), and can finally be recovered in the sedimentation device (42) of the fourth device (40'). The second solvent (S2) is introduced into the mixer (41) of the fourth device (40'), and is sequentially mixed and separated in the fourth device (40'), the third device (30'), the second device (20'), and the first device (10'), and can finally be recovered in the sedimentation device (12) of the first device (10').

[0056] Continuing with reference to FIG. 7, the solid arrow represents the flow of the first solvent (S1), the dotted arrow represents the flow of the second solvent (S2), and the dashed arrow represents the flow of the mixed solvent (S3). For example, regarding the flow of the first solvent (S1), the first solvent (S1) supplied from the outside can be introduced into the first solvent inlet (112) of the mixer (11) of the first device (10'). The first solvent (S1) introduced into the mixer (11) of the first device (10') can be mixed with the second solvent (S2) inside the mixer (11) and delivered to the sedimentation device (12) of the first device (10'). In the sedimentation device (12) of the first device (10'), the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) can be separated again and discharged through the first solvent discharge port (123) and the second solvent discharge port (124), respectively. The first solvent (S1) discharged through the first solvent discharge port (123) can be introduced into the first solvent inlet port (212) of the mixer (21) of the second device (20'). The first solvent (S1) can repeat the above flow in multiple solvent extraction devices and be recovered to the outside from the sedimentation device (42) of the final solvent extraction device (the fourth device (40') in FIG. 7). For example, regarding the flow of the second solvent (S2), the second solvent (S2) supplied from the outside can be introduced into the second solvent inlet port (413) of the mixer (41) of the fourth device (40'). The second solvent (S2) introduced into the mixer (41) of the fourth device (40') can be mixed with the first solvent (S1) inside the mixer (41) and delivered to the sedimentation device (42) of the fourth device (40'). In the sedimentation device (42), the first solvent (S1) and the second solvent (S2) can be separated again and discharged to the first solvent discharge port (423) and the second solvent discharge port (424), respectively. The second solvent (S2) discharged to the second solvent discharge port (424) can be introduced to the second solvent inlet port (313) of the mixer (31) of the third device (30').The second solvent (S2) can be recovered externally from the sedimentation device (12) of the final solvent extraction device (the first device (10') in FIG. 7) by repeating the above-described flow in multiple solvent extraction devices. In this way, since the solvent extraction system (1) includes multiple solvent extraction devices organically connected to each other, the target metal ions and impurities contained in the solvent can be separated more effectively.

[0057] While the technical concept of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to certain embodiments and examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made without departing from the technical concept and scope of the present disclosure, which would be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Furthermore, such substitutions, modifications, and variations should be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mixer comprising a mixing vessel, a first solvent inlet, a second solvent inlet, a mixed solvent outlet, and an impeller, wherein a first solvent and a second solvent having different densities are mixed by the impeller to produce a mixed solvent; A sedimentation vessel comprising a mixed solvent inlet, a first solvent outlet, and a second solvent outlet, and separating the mixed solvent according to the density difference; and It includes a connecting tube connecting the mixed solvent outlet of the above mixer and the mixed solvent inlet of the above settler, The sedimentation vessel of the sedimentation device includes an upper surface, a lower surface formed on the opposite side of the upper surface, and a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the mixed solvent inlet is formed on the side of the sedimentation vessel or inside the sedimentation vessel. Solvent extraction device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above mixed solvent inlet is formed at a position spaced from the upper surface. Solvent extraction device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above mixed solvent inlet is formed between 0.3 and 0.7 points of the height of the sedimentation vessel. Solvent extraction device.

4. In paragraph 1, The mixed solvent outlet of the above mixer is positioned at a higher position than the mixed solvent inlet of the above settler. Solvent extraction device.

5. In paragraph 4, The mixed solvent inlet of the above sedimentation device is located between the positions of the first solvent outlet and the second solvent outlet. Solvent extraction device.

6. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a buffer portion disposed between the mixed solvent inlet and the connecting tube, The above buffer is arranged to surround all or part of the side of the sedimentation vessel, Solvent extraction device.

7. In paragraph 1, The sedimentation vessel further comprises a plurality of diaphragms arranged inside the sedimentation vessel so as to cross the height direction of the sedimentation vessel. Solvent extraction device.

8. In paragraph 7, The above diaphragm is formed with a mesh structure. Solvent extraction device.

9. In paragraph 7, The above diaphragm includes a through hole, Among the plurality of partitions, the positions of the through holes are arranged so as to be misaligned between adjacent partitions when viewed in the height direction of the sedimentation device. Solvent extraction device.

10. In paragraph 1, The height direction length of the above sedimentation device is greater than the height direction length of the above mixer. Solvent extraction device.

11. In paragraph 1, The height direction length of the above sedimentation device is 3 to 9 times greater than the width direction length of the above sedimentation device. Solvent extraction device.

12. In paragraph 1, The first solvent is an organic solvent, and the second solvent is an aqueous solvent. Solvent extraction device.

13. Contains multiple solvent extraction devices, Each of the above solvent extraction devices, A mixer comprising a mixing vessel, a first solvent inlet, a second solvent inlet, a mixed solvent outlet, and an impeller, wherein a first solvent and a second solvent having different densities are mixed by the impeller to produce a mixed solvent; A sedimentation vessel comprising a mixed solvent inlet, a first solvent outlet, and a second solvent outlet, and separating the mixed solvent according to the density difference; and It includes a connecting tube connecting the mixed solvent outlet of the above mixer and the mixed solvent inlet of the above settler, The sedimentation vessel of the sedimentation device includes an upper surface, a lower surface formed on the opposite side of the upper surface, and a side surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and the mixed solvent inlet is formed on the side of the sedimentation vessel or inside the sedimentation vessel. Each of the above solvent extraction devices is organically connected to each other to exchange the first solvent, the second solvent, and the mixed solvent. Solvent extraction system.

14. In paragraph 13, The solvent extraction system comprises a first device and a second device, The first solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the first device flows into the mixer of the second device, and the second solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the second device flows into the mixer of the first device. The second solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the first device and the first solvent discharged from the sedimentation tank of the second device are each recovered. Solvent extraction system.

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