Outotec Oyj

Outokumpu Oyj

Outotec (finland) Oy

Eero Ekman

Bror G Nyman

Pertti Pekkala

Juhani Lyyra

Raimo Kuusisto

Stig-Erik Hultholm

Launo L Lilja

Hannu Laitala

Erkki Paatero

Rami Saario

Jussi Vaarno

Esa Lindell

The invention relates to a mixing device and method by means of which two solutions that are insoluble or poorly soluble in each other are mixed together into a dispersion. The device consists of at least three helical bars rotating upwards around a shaft and supported on it, so that the support structures between the shaft and the helical rods are set essentially in a horizontal position. The device and method are particularly suitable for mixing solvent extraction solutions used in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals to form a dispersion.

Device and method for dispersing two solutions in each other in solvent extraction

A method and arrangement for separating two solutions mixed in dispersion into two solution phases in a liquid-liquid extraction separation cell. A lighter solution phase placed on the heavier solution phase is forced to flow as a thin overflow layer over the top edge of a front panel such that the dispersion thickens A rear panel is essentially parallel with the front panel so that in between the front panel and the rear panel, there is formed an uptake shaft along which the thickened dispersion can rise and be compressed.

Method and arrangement for separating two solutions mixed in dispersion into two solution phases in a liquid-liquid extraction separation cell

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.

Apparatus and method for removing impurities in connection with liquid-liquid extraction of copper

A method for the selective recovery of uranium from a sulphate-based acidic aqueous solution of uranium containing iron and other metals by means of solvent extraction, in which the extractant used in the organic extraction solution is bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and a liquid branched trialkyl phosphine oxide is the modifying agent. It is typical of the method that the uranium concentration in the feed solution is less than 50 mg/l and a reducing agent is introduced into the aqueous and/or extraction solution to prevent the permanent oxidation of iron to trivalent. In the method the majority of the extraction solution is circulated in a circuit consisting of the extraction stage and the storage tank and only a small part of the uranium-loaded extraction solution is routed to scrubbing and stripping.

Extraction process

The invention relates to a method and arrangement for separating two solutions mixed in dispersion into two solution phases in a liquid-liquid extraction separation cell. The arrangement includes a first guide wall extending along the whole width of the cell with respect to the vertical direction at an inclined angle. The first guide wall includes a bottom edge, which is located at a distance from the cell bottom, so that a clearance gap is formed between the bottom edge and the cell bottom. The arrangement also includes a second guide wall essentially parallel with the first guide wall and placed at a distance therefrom. Between the first guide wall and the second guide wall an uptake shaft is formed extending diagonally upwards at the inclined angle. The second guide wall is pressed tightly against the cell bottom, and includes a number of vertical slots.

The invention relates to a method for reversing the dispersion formed in the mixing section of liquid-liquid extraction and kept condensed in the separation section and the separated solutions form the rear end of the separation section to flow back towards the feed end of the separation section. The invention also refers to the extraction equipment for implementing the reversed flow.

Method and equipment for liquid-liquid extraction

The invention relates to a method and equipment with which an organic solution extraction solution is purified from entrainment of aqueous solution and impurities during hydrometallurgical liquid-liquid extraction. The method treats an organic extraction solution, which is loaded with a valuable metal or valuable substance from the aqueous solution. The purpose is to carry out the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic extraction solution simultaneously.

Method and equipment for purifying an extraction solution from aqueous entrainment and impurities

The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which the aqueous solution from liquid-liquid extraction in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals is purified from droplets of organic extraction solution. The aqueous solution is treated in a settling tank, where it is made to flow through a flow channel area with a reduced cross-section that extends over the width of the tank at least at one point. The flow channels are located in the lower section of the droplet coalescer according to the invention, with the upper section of the device being mainly solid.

Method and apparatus for purification of an aqueous solution from droplets of extraction solution

The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which an organic solution that is slightly soluble in water is scrubbed of aqueous entrainment and impurities. In particular, the organic solution may be the organic extraction solution of liquid-liquid extraction used in connection with the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals. The purpose is to perform the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic solution simultaneously. This occurs by routing the solution to be purified in the settling tank through at least one flow plate cassette of reduced cross-section.

Method and apparatus for purification of slightly water-soluble organic solution from aqueous entrainment

The invention relates to a method for the controlled separation of a dispersion of two liquids formed in the mixing stage of liquid-liquid extraction into their own phases in the separation section of the extraction. In particular the method and equipment relate to the extraction process used in the recovery of metals. In accordance with the method the dispersion band remaining between the separated phases is dammed up using at least one revert member for said purpose located in the separation section. The equipment according to the invention comprises at least one revert member, which is in turn made up of at least two separate parts.

Method and equipment to control separation of a dispersion liquid-liquid extraction

The invention relates to a method for guiding a dispersion of two liquids formed in the mixing stage of liquid-liquid extraction along the longitudinal axis of the separation section in the feed end of an extraction separation section. In particular the method and equipment relate to the extraction process used in the recovery of metals. In accordance with the method the dispersion to be fed into the separation section is guided so that it spreads evenly over the cross-section of the separation section using a directional member placed so as to obtain a vertical flow. The equipment in accordance with the invention consists of a directional member, which is in turn made up of at least two separate parts.

Method and equipment for guiding dispersion in liquid-liquid extraction

The invention relates to a method for the stabilization of the production capacity of an extraction plant extracting metals in a process, where the metal content of the feed solution varies. For the stabilization of capacity, the extraction cells and their piping are constructed and situated in such a way, that the extraction stages can be connected in different combinations, either in parallel or in a series. The method is especially suitable for the copper extraction process.

The invention relates to a method for controlling and compressing a dispersion formed in the mixing stage of liquid-liquid extraction. The compression of the dispersion is achieved by reducing the cross-section of the separation section in the direction of flow and by equipping the separation section with a dispersion-damming member. The equipment according to the invention thus comprises a settler, which is essentially trapezoid in shape so that its cross-section is wider at the feed end of the settler and gets smaller towards the rear end of the settler, from whence the separated solutions are discharged from the settler, and the settler is equipped with at least one device to dam up the dispersion. In particular the method and equipment relate to the extraction process used in the recovery of metals.

Method and equipment for compressing a dispersion in liquid-liquid extraction

The invention relates to a method for extracting copper in liquid-liquid solvent extraction from aqueous solutions with a high sulphate content, by raising the viscosity of the extraction solution and by dispersing the aqueous solution into drops, achieving a dense drop aggregation. The viscosity of the extraction solution may be raised either by increasing the content of the actual extractant, the extraction reagent, in the extraction solution or by using a diluting agent with a higher viscosity than that of the diluting agent normally used. By raising the viscosity of the extraction solution the mixing durability of the extraction dispersion can be increased and resulting of that the amount of residual drops is decreased. Other advantages are that the extraction solution flow of the extraction process decreases in relation to the flow of the aqueous solution acting as the copper source and that the size of the extraction equipment needed is reduced.

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Pori, Finland

Eero Ekman