Abstract: In a continuous liquid-solid contacting process with intermittent counter-current movement of particles between horizontally adjacent vessels, particle movement is effected by flowing liquid upwardly from a lower region of one vessel through a particle collection conduit into a lower region of an adjacent vessel. The sides of the vessel converge downwardly adjacent the inlet end of the conduit to a collection zone from which the particles can be transferred efficiently. A novel form of vessel for use in apparatus for carrying out the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Piping for use in liquid collection and distribution, e.g. in liquid-solid contact vessels, has an extruded pipe having on one side a pair of outwardly-projecting spaced arms each having a re-entrant lip forming a support channel with re-entrant sides extending along the channel. Channel-section strainer members are slid endwise into the support channel with the sides of the strainer channel being received between the lip and the outer surface of the pipe and with the bottom of the strainer channel, which is provided with strainer slots or perforations, bridging between the support channel sides. In use, orifices are formed through the side wall of the pipe to communicate with the interior of the support channel to provide for distribution and collection of liquids through the strainer members. The structure provides a screened slot extending continuously along the length of the pipe, and is easily assembled without requiring special tools.

Abstract: In an ion exchange process for recovering valuable components from a weak feed solution containing impurities, an improved loading of the desired component on the resin and a purer and more concentrated eluate can be obtained by subjecting the resin to a conditioning step after the step of exhaustion of the feed solution onto the resin and before the resin elution step. In the conditioning step, a predetermined isolated quantity of the loaded resin is contracted with a conditioning solution capable of preferentially removing the unwanted impurity component.

Abstract: A process for absorbing ions of interest onto ion exchange resin particles from a feed liquor containing ions which when absorbed on said particles cause the density of the particles to increase. The process comprises the steps of(1) flowing the feed liquor upwardly through a main bed of ion exchange resin particles contained in a main chamber of an absorption column and thereby maintaining the bed in fluidized state;(2) continuously collecting the denser loaded particles from the lower region of the absorption column;(3) passing an outflow of the feed liquor from the upper region of the main chamber upwardly into the lower region of the polishing chamber containing a secondary bed of fluidized ion exchange resin particles whereby residual ions of interest are polished from the liquor, and(4) producing a barren liquor flowing out of the upper region of the polishing chamber.

Abstract: An improved process for continuous counter-current contact between a fluid to be treated and solid particles wherein the fluid flows through a column containing a plurality of contacting chambers each of which contains solid particles and in which intermittent transfer of the particles in a direction opposite to that of the fluid from each chamber to the chamber immediately adjacent is effected while maintaining a continuous flow of the fluid through the column.

Abstract: Loaded solid resin particles obtained as an output slurry from a continuous fluid/solid contactor are stripped by counter-current elution in which discrete measured batches of the loaded resin are isolated, each batch is drained of its carrier liquid, and successive drained batches are then slurried intermittently into the bottom of an elution column using strong eluate from the elution column to slurry the resin into the bottom of the column.

Abstract: Loaded solid resin particles obtained as an output slurry from a continuous fluid/solid contactor are stripped by counter-current elution in which discrete measured batches of the loaded resin are isolated, each batch is drained of its carrier liquid, and successive drained batches are then slurried intermittently into the bottom of an elution column using strong eluate from the elution column to slurry the resin into the bottom of the column.