Abstract: Systems are described for removing organic solvents such as kerosene-based solvents, from aqueous solutions, in leaching processes for recovering metal such as copper from ore. A unit for recovering small amounts of kerosene-based solvent from raffinate (which comprises acidic water with a small amount of solvent and debris) includes both a plate-type coalescing device (60, FIG. 2 ) and a granular bed (62) in series, and preferably located in the same vessel (54). The raffinate first moves through the plate-type coalescing device where much of the kerosene is removed, to greatly increase the useful period of the granular bed (before it has to be backwashed). In a unit (20, FIG.

Abstract: A rotary filtration apparatus is provided, of the type which includes a multiplicity of membrane packs arranged in a stack on a rotor frame, which facilitates replacement of membrane packs. A membrane pack assembly (16, FIG. 1) includes a multiplicity of membrane packs arranged in a stack between a pair of stack plates (70, 72), and held in compression by several tension members (80) spaced about the pack and coupled to the plates. The rotor frame (14) has top and bottom frame plates (50, 52) and a plurality of tying members (40) tying peripheral portions of the plates together. A sufficient number of the tying members are removable to leave an opening in the frame periphery that is large enough to allow the precompressed membrane stack assembly (16) to be moved radially into the rotor frame, at which time the removed tying members are replaced. The membrane packs can be stacked within a group of tying members (234, FIG. 10 ), and can be compressed by a compressor (280, FIG.

Abstract: A rotary separator is described, of the type which includes membrane packs lying in a rapidly rotating chamber, which provides ready access to the chamber to change or inspect membrane packs, as well as ready access to at least one dynamic seal. The rotary frame includes upper and lower parts (40, 42) forming a chamber (22) between them and held together by bolts. The lower part (42) is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings (60, 62), but the upper part (40) is not directly supported by bearings. A pair of concentric conduits (20, 30) extend through the lower part, but not the upper part (40). The conduits include an inner conduit in the form of a pipe whose top (86) lies slightly within the chamber and which is sealed thereat by a dynamic seal 80. The top part (40) can be readily removed to provide access to the membrane packs (44) and to the inner conduit seal (80).

Abstract: A rotary filtration apparatus is provided, of the type which includes a multiplicity of membrane packs arranged in a stack on a rotor frame, which facilitates replacement of membrane packs. A membrane pack assembly (16, FIG. 1) includes a multiplicity of membrane packs arranged in a stack between a pair of stack plates (70, 72), and held in compression by several tension members (80) spaced about the pack and coupled to the plates. The rotor frame (14) has top and bottom frame plates (50, 52) and a plurality of tying members (40) tying peripheral portions of the plates together. A sufficient number of the tying members are removable to leave an opening in the frame periphery that is large enough to allow the precompressed membrane stack assembly (16) to be moved radially into the rotor frame, at which time the removed tying members are replaced. The membrane packs can be stacked within a group of tying members (234, FIG. 10), and can be compressed by a compressor (280, FIG.