Modular Solvent Extraction Skid Using Polymer Rotational Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent extraction systems are not lightweight or easily transportable, making them cumbersome for on-site deployment and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A modular solvent extraction arrangement comprising skid units with integrated pumps, mixers, settlers, and discharge launders, supported by a cuboid framework structure, allowing for easy transportation and plug-and-play assembly, with components made of polymer using rotational molding for lightweight and cost-effective manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional solvent extraction systems are used, then extraction functionality is provided, but the systems are heavy and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is divided into separate modular components (mixer, settler, pumps, launders) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each component has a standardized polymer housing that fits within the framework structure, allowing for easy transportation and on-site assembly while maintaining full extraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material is changed from traditional heavy materials (metal) to polymer materials with uniform microstructure. This material parameter change significantly reduces the weight of each component while maintaining structural integrity and chemical resistance, enabling easy transport and assembly.
2Strength
If components are made with complex construction for strength, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing material is changed from traditional heavy materials (metal) to polymer materials with uniform microstructure. This material parameter change significantly reduces the weight of each component while maintaining structural integrity and chemical resistance, enabling easy transport and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses polymer composite materials with uniform microstructure for housing components. These composite materials provide adequate strength and chemical resistance for extraction operations while being significantly lighter and easier to manufacture than traditional metal components, reducing both manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Ease of operation
If modular design with framework structure is used, then transportability is improved, but individual component construction becomes simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is divided into separate modular components (mixer, settler, pumps, launders) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each component has a standardized polymer housing that fits within the framework structure, allowing for easy transportation and on-site assembly while maintaining full extraction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for all components, defines the modular unit boundaries for transport, and enables easy assembly and disassembly. This universal structure reduces the need for complex component-specific mounting arrangements.
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
Enables the creation of lightweight, cost-effective, and easily transportable solvent extraction modules that can be quickly assembled on-site, simplifying the construction and reducing the complexity of individual components while maintaining efficient solvent extraction capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for mixing two or more mutually immiscible liquid phases together into dispersion
Implementation Method 2
a settler for separation of solution phases
Implementation Method 3
The mixed dispersion is thereafter fed into a settler that is arranged to separate the liquid phases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an extraction arrangement comprising an extraction module (1; 1a, 1b, 1c) comprising an extraction section (2; 2a, 2b) having a pump (3; 3a, 3b) having a first inlet (4; 4a, 4b), a second inlet (5; a, 5b), and a first outlet (6; 6a, 6b), a mixer (7; 7a, 7b) having a third inlet (8; 8a, 8b) in communication with the first outlet and a second outlet (9; 9a, 9b), a settler (10; a, 10b) having at a feed end (11; 11a, 11b) a fourth inlet (12; 12a, 12b) in communication with the second outlet and at a discharge end (13; 13a, 13b) a third outlet (14; 4a, 14b) and a fourth outlet (15; 15a, 15b), and a first discharge launder (16; 16a, 16b) in communication with the third outlet and a second discharge launder (17; 17a, 17b) in communication with the fourth outlet.