Liquid-Liquid Contact Device Segmented Discharge Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-liquid contact devices face issues with heavy liquids overflowing and mixing with light liquids during discharge, leading to the need for subsequent separation treatments.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-liquid contact device with a vertical internal casing and external casing configuration, featuring separate discharge outlets for light and heavy liquids, and a control system to maintain the contact interface within a specific range, preventing overflow-induced mixing by ensuring each liquid is discharged through its designated outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the light liquid supply flow rate is increased to enhance extraction efficiency, then the extraction performance is improved, but the heavy liquid overflows through the light liquid discharge tube causing liquid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into two separate discharge tubes: a light liquid discharge tube for discharging light liquid and a heavy liquid discharge tube for discharging heavy liquid. This segmentation prevents the mixing problem by providing dedicated discharge paths for each liquid phase, allowing the light liquid supply flow rate to be increased without causing heavy liquid overflow into the wrong discharge tube.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall is introduced as an intermediary structure within the contact chamber. This partition wall creates distinct flow paths and prevents direct mixing between light and heavy liquids during the discharge process, serving as a physical mediator that maintains liquid separation while allowing both liquids to be discharged efficiently through their respective tubes.
2Productivity
If the countercurrent contact between light and heavy liquids is intensified to improve extraction, then the interaction efficiency is enhanced, but the flooding phenomenon occurs causing liquid overflow and mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The contact chamber is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a partition wall, segmenting the countercurrent contact process. This segmentation allows intensified interaction between liquids in each chamber while preventing flooding from propagating across the entire chamber, as the partition wall restricts overflow paths and directs liquids to their designated discharge tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flooding phenomenon, which normally causes harmful liquid mixing, is converted into a beneficial overflow mechanism through the partition wall design. When flooding occurs in one chamber, the partition wall directs the overflow to the appropriate heavy liquid discharge tube, transforming the harmful mixing effect into a controlled discharge process that actually enhances the separation function.
3Device complexity
If a single discharge tube is used to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but subsequent separation treatment is required due to liquid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into two separate discharge tubes with dedicated functions. Although this increases the number of components, it eliminates the need for subsequent separation treatment by ensuring that light and heavy liquids are discharged separately. The segmentation prevents mixing at the discharge stage, making the overall process more efficient despite the slightly increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy liquid discharge function is extracted from the light liquid discharge tube, creating a separate heavy liquid discharge tube. This extraction of the heavy liquid discharge pathway eliminates the fundamental cause of mixing (heavy liquid overflowing through the light liquid tube), thereby removing the need for subsequent separation treatments and simplifying the overall process workflow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents the mixing of light and heavy liquids during discharge, allowing for separate and efficient handling of both liquids, even under conditions of overflow, thereby avoiding the need for subsequent separation treatments.
Implementation Method 1
provides countercurrent contact between a light liquid and a heavy liquid which has a larger specific gravity than the light liquid
Implementation Method 2
the light liquid ascending from below and the heavy liquid descending from above
Implementation Method 3
a heavy liquid which has a larger specific gravity than the light liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid-liquid contact device includes: an internal casing surrounding an inner chamber for providing countercurrent contact between a light liquid and a heavy liquid; an external casing surrounding the internal casing so as to form an outer chamber around the internal casing; a light liquid introduction tube guiding the light liquid to the inner chamber; and a heavy liquid introduction tube guiding the heavy liquid to the inner chamber. The internal casing has an upper opening and a lower opening which opens at a location below the upper opening. The external casing has a heavy liquid discharge outlet through which the heavy liquid is allowed to be discharged from the outer chamber, and a light liquid discharge outlet which is disposed above the heavy liquid discharge outlet and through which the light liquid is allowed to be discharged from the outer chamber.