Surface area generation and droplet size control in solvent extraction systems utilizing high intensity electric fields
First Claim
1. A method for solvent extraction comprising the steps of:
- introducing droplets of a dispersed phase to a counter-current flow of a continuous phase which droplets have a first surface area and are allowed to free-fall through said continuous phase;
applying a constant high-intensity-pulsed electric field to said original droplets of said dispersed phase so as to shatter said droplets into many smaller droplets to form an emulsion of said smaller droplets in said continuous phase, said smaller droplets having a combined total surface area which is greater than a total surface area of said original droplets;
substantially simultaneously coalescing a plurality of said smaller droplets to reform larger droplets, said larger droplets being stable in said electric field; and
separating said reformed droplets from said emulsion to form a separate phase of said dispersed material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for solvent extraction where droplets are shattered by a high intensity electric field. These shattered droplets form a plurality of smaller droplets which have a greater combined surface area than the original droplet. Dispersion, coalescence and phase separation are accomplished in one vessel through the use of the single pulsing high intensity electric field. Electric field conditions are chosen so that simultaneous dispersion and coalescence are taking place in the emulsion formed in the electric field. The electric field creates a large amount of interfacial surface area for solvent extraction when the droplet is disintegrated and is capable of controlling droplet size and thus droplet stability. These operations take place in the presence of a counter current flow of the continuous phase.
82 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for solvent extraction comprising the steps of:
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introducing droplets of a dispersed phase to a counter-current flow of a continuous phase which droplets have a first surface area and are allowed to free-fall through said continuous phase; applying a constant high-intensity-pulsed electric field to said original droplets of said dispersed phase so as to shatter said droplets into many smaller droplets to form an emulsion of said smaller droplets in said continuous phase, said smaller droplets having a combined total surface area which is greater than a total surface area of said original droplets; substantially simultaneously coalescing a plurality of said smaller droplets to reform larger droplets, said larger droplets being stable in said electric field; and separating said reformed droplets from said emulsion to form a separate phase of said dispersed material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for solvent extraction comprising:
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a column for transporting a solvent extraction system including a dispersed phase and a continuous phase; means for introducing droplets of said dispersed phase, each of said droplets having a first surface area, to a counter-current of said continuous phase such that said droplets are allowed to free fall through said continuous phase; means for applying a constant high intensity-pulsed electric field to said droplets of said dispersed phase so as to shatter said droplets into many smaller droplets, said smaller droplets having a combined total surface area which is greater than a total surface area of said original droplets, which small droplets substantially simultaneously coalesce; and means for supporting said coalesced particles of said dispersed phase from said continuous phase. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification