Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extracting compounds from mixtures based on their relative solubilities in different solvents. The mixture can be introduced into a cylindrical container in which the mixture is agitated as it flows past a plurality of plates mounted along a shaft. At least one plate is arranged at a nonzero angle with respect to a plane normal to the shaft and features a plurality of perforations. Agitation by the plates breaks the mixture into small, evenly dispersed droplets and a solvent is introduced into the container to extract the desirable compound and thus separate it from the undesirable compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for extracting compounds from mixtures based on their relative solubilities in different solvents. The mixture can be introduced into a cylindrical container in which the mixture is agitated as it flows past a plurality of plates mounted along a shaft. At least one plate is arranged at a nonzero angle with respect to a plane normal to the shaft and features a plurality of perforations. Agitation by the plates breaks the mixture into small, evenly dispersed droplets and a solvent is introduced into the container to extract the desirable compound and thus separate it from the undesirable compounds.

Abstract: A vane inlet apparatus is provided for separating components of a feed stream. The apparatus includes a body having an axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes an inlet and a plurality of vanes disposed along the axis. Each vane includes an aperture such that the apertures in successive vanes decrease in size toward the distal end of the apparatus. The vanes may be flat or curved. The sizes, shaped, and orientation of the vanes along the apparatus may be determined according to the designed specifications of a particular project. The apparatus as well as the vanes and apertures are preferably cylindrically shaped to match the incoming feed stream cross-section. A method of constructing the vane inlet apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A vane inlet apparatus is provided for separating components of a feed stream. The apparatus includes a body having an axis, a proximal end, and a distal end. The body includes an inlet and a plurality of vanes disposed along the axis. Each vane includes an aperture such that the apertures in successive vanes decrease in size toward the distal end of the apparatus. The vanes may be flat or curved. The sizes, shaped, and orientation of the vanes along the apparatus may be determined according to the designed specifications of a particular project. The apparatus as well as the vanes and apertures are preferably cylindrically shaped to match the incoming feed stream cross-section. A method of constructing the vane inlet apparatus is also provided.