Rare Earth SX Cell Control for Mixing and Interface Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent extraction cells face challenges in balancing flow rates, ensuring efficient mixing, and achieving steady-state operation, which affects the recovery and purity of rare earth elements, requiring significant manual intervention and prolonged adjustment times.
Innovation Solution
The solvent extraction cell design includes features such as real-time sampling systems, automated interface regulators, modular layout, and water seals, along with optimized mixer impellers and settlers, to enhance mixing efficiency, fluid balance, and operational stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional solvent extraction cells are used, then the separation of rare earth elements can be achieved, but the flow rate balancing is difficult and requires significant manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent extraction cell is designed with self-regulating flow balance capabilities through optimized internal geometry and automated control systems that automatically adjust flow rates without manual intervention, allowing the system to self-correct and maintain optimal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that continuously monitor flow rates and provide feedback to automatically adjust valve positions and pump speeds, enabling rapid achievement of steady-state operation and eliminating the need for prolonged manual adjustment
2Productivity
If conventional mixing methods are used, then the mixing function is provided, but the mixing efficiency is insufficient and steady-state operation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer impeller design incorporates variable speed control and adjustable geometric parameters that allow optimization of mixing intensity and pattern, enabling rapid achievement of homogeneous mixing and faster transition to steady-state operation
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing system is divided into multiple impellers or mixing zones within the cell, allowing different regions to perform different mixing functions simultaneously, which accelerates overall mixing efficiency and reduces time to reach steady-state
3Manufacturing precision
If the solvent extraction cell volume is increased to improve separation capacity, then the recovery and purity of rare earth elements can be enhanced, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes key geometric parameters of the solvent extraction cell including the ratio of mixer to settler volume, impeller diameter to cell diameter ratio, and phase dispersion characteristics to achieve high recovery and purity without requiring excessive cell volume, thereby maintaining simpler device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent extraction cell is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple operations within a single unit, such as mixing, phase separation, and flow regulation integrated into one cell structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high separation performance
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
These enhancements improve the recovery and purity of rare earth elements by ensuring consistent mixing, rapid achievement of steady-state operation, and enhanced safety, while reducing manual intervention and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a mixer impeller for drawing an organic phase fluid and an aqueous phase fluid into the mixer from a bottom inlet and/or for mixing said fluids in the mixer
Implementation Method 2
After mixing, the emulsified fluid flows to a 'Settler ', where after a certain residence time, emulsion of the aqueous and organic fluids separates
Implementation Method 3
the rare earth elements are separated depending on their ion exchange affinity, some rare earth elements flow with organic phase and some with the aqueous phase
Data Source
AI summary
A solvent extraction (SX) cell for rare earth recovery comprising a mixer and a settler. The mixer includes a height and/or position adjustable mixer impeller and/or a fluid retaining inlet collar around a lower portion of the mixer impeller and/or one or more sample ports across a height of the mixer. The mixer impeller controlled at least in part in response to analysis of a sample from the one or more sample ports. The settler includes an automated interface regulator and/or one or more interface detection sensor adapted to identify at least an interface between an aqueous layer surface and emulsion layer in the settler. The height of the automated interface regulator controls at least in part in response to the one or more interface detection sensor. A plurality of mixers and a plurality of settlers operatively connected in a modular layout to provide a battery of solvent extraction (SX) cells. A water seal is provided between a lid and walls of the mixers, the settlers, and/or the battery.