Abstract: Apparatus for separating solid substances from liquid mixtures of substances, wherein the liquid substances contained in the mixture are separated from the solid substances by countercurrent extraction with a solvent which, during the extraction process, is in a liquid or supercritical state and which, under standard conditions, is gaseous. The solvent is fed to a cylindrical extraction chamber at the lowest point of the extraction chamber. The solvent leaves the nozzles with a Reynold's number of 40,000 and flows upward in the extraction chamber with a Reynold's number of 2,700 to 8,000.

Abstract: A liquid extraction process involving countercurrent flow of aqueous and organic liquid phases with gas dispersion in the organic phase is carried out in a pulsed column with for example a knitted bed, and the organic phase is discharged into the bed via a tube which physically supports the bed and is used for (optional) reciprocation of the bed to pulse the phases.

Abstract: A peel ply material of high visual discernibility for use during curing of a resin-coated substrate comprises a base fabric characterized by a high level of wet out when disposed on a cured resin-coated substrate, and tracers woven into the base fabric in spaced lines comprising yarn characterized by (a) a low level of wet out, (b) substantially the same heat shrinkage properties as the base fabric, and (c) a substantially zero transfer level to the resin-coated substrate. The base fabric may be undyed polyester, and the tracers may be bleached polyfluorocarbon or conjugated polyester/carbon.

Abstract: A solvent extraction column (1) includes a distributor (3) for receiving feed liquid introduced into the column through an inlet port (2). The distributor (3) comprises an endless open channel (4) having a plurality of spaced apart apertures (10). The distributor is positioned adjacent the inlet port and feed liquid from the inlet port enters the channel and is distributed through the apertures (10) over the column.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus useful for preparing an aqueous ammonia solution at a temperature below the boiling point thereof by single stage dilution of anhydrous ammonia with water. In the invention, an anhydrous ammonia fluid comprising ammonia vapor is mixed with water to provide an aqueous ammonia fluid at a first temperature above the boiling point of said aqueous ammonia fluid, the aqueous ammonia fluid is cooled to a second temperature above the boiling point of said aqueous ammonia fluid, and the cooled aqueous ammonia fluid is then indirectly contacted with liquid anhydrous ammonia to further cool said aqueous ammonia fluid to a temperature below its boiling point and thereby heat the liquid anhydrous ammonia to vaporize at least a portion thereof. The heated anhydrous ammonia fluid is utilized in the process of this invention to provide the aqueous ammonia fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery that emulsion prone zones generally occur in extractors at the end or region where feed is introduced and spent solvent is withdrawn. The build-up of feed droplets in this zone occurs because of slow coalescence rate, higher liquid loadings, lower interfacial tension, smaller density difference, and the like, in this zone. Accordingly, the present invention, in its simplest sense comprises a vertical extractor column having a settling zone located at one end of a mixing zone and having coalescence media located in the settling zone. Importantly, the coalescence media is positioned so as to promote the drainage of coalesced droplets to the side of the extractor where they drain back into the mixing zone. Preferably weir means are located in the settling zone between the coalescence media and the mixing zone for collecting coalesced droplets.

Abstract: With the extraction method, a material exchange column with an ordered packing 2a or 2b on the basis of a plurality of layers 3 stacked parallel to the column axis and making point contact with one another is used. The packing 2a, 2b is perfused by a continuous and a dispersed phase in a counter current. The packing has a very large specific surface area of at least 300 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 of packing volume. At the periphery of the packing 2a, 2b, the two phase streams are re-circulated into the packing at regular intervals through a rim seal composed of an elastic material not wettable by the dispersed phase. The rim seal is placed round the packing in the form of an elastic tube or pipe and seals the intermediate space between the internal column wall and the packing. A further improvement in the separating capacity can be achieved if pulsating operation is adopted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sieve-plate column for liquid-liquid counterflow extraction of two phases which are of different weights and which are not soluble one in the other. A mixing arrangement is disposed between two sieve plates. In order to further increase cross-mixing of the phases and thus the material exchange thereof with a good rate of through-put, a static mixing element is arranged between each two sieve plates. Static mixing elements generally have, over their entire cross-section, a plurality of open channels which are arranged adjacent to each other and which extend inclinedly with respect to the direction of flow, the upper opening and the lower opening of each channel thereby being displaced radially relative to each other.

Abstract: A crystallizer comprising a mixing zone of an organic solvent containing ions of a metal extracted therein and an aqueous separating solution provided at the upper part of a main crystallizer body, a lower-part opened organic solvent settling zone provided outside of the mixing zone for receiving and settling the organic solvent overflowing out of the mixing zone, a crystals developing zone having a downwardly narrowing cross section provided at the lower part of the main crystallizer body, a descending pipe extending from the lower end of the mixing zone to the lower part of the crystals developing zone, a crystals fluidizing medium inlet provided at the lower end of the crystals developing zone, a separating solution discharge pipe and a crystals discharge pipe.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a reciprocating plate extractor column having a coalescence media located at least in the zone within the column where emulsions are likely to be formed. Preferably, the coalescence media is one which will be wetted by the dispersed phase under conditions of use. More preferably, however, the coalescence media will be a combination of two materials, one of which is wetted by the dispersed phase and one of which is wetted by the continuous phase. Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, anti-bypass means are included to direct the flow of fluid from the coalescence media toward the zone containing the reciprocating plates.

Abstract: A crystallization/separation apparatus is disclosed for material mixtures having vertical crystallization column, cooling and heating devices, feeding-in and withdrawal connections, pumps, valves, connecting conduit tubings and drive motor, a cylindrical tube contains perpendicular aisles, rotatable at a central axis. The tube is distributed into segment-shaped chambers by said aisles, each substantially the same size. Also disclosed is a method for the separation of material mixtures.

Abstract: To permit the output of a vertical fluidizing-cell column to be increased, its cross-sectional area to be enlarged, and the installation of plates in the column to be simplified, the plates are made conical or pyramidal with their concave and convex sides alternately directed upwardly. The plates have central openings for the passage of one stream of material, and are mounted in the column with peripheral passages for another stream of material. Preferably the plates are movable relative to each other and have movable center pieces variably closing some of the central openings for varying the operation of the column.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for the mass transfer between three liquid phases wherein two phases are miscible and the other one of said phases is immiscible with the other two phases and serves as an intermediate phase. The method comprises flowing the two miscible liquids in a capillary-gravitational mode down surfaces which are wettable by said immiscible liquid, said surfaces being separated by a space occupied by the third, intermediate phase, said third phase being forcibly circulated in a direction which is countercurrent with respect to the other two phases. The apparatus comprises a housing containing a package of alternating film carriers and distributors for the treated phase and the receiving phase, respectively, and discharge collectors for the treated phase and the receiving phase, respectively, said distributors being located at the top end and said collectors being located at the bottom end of the housing, respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multistage column for countercurrent extraction of two liquids of different specific density therein. The column is comprised of a housing in upright position provided at its upper end with an upper inlet and upper outlet and, at its lower end, with a lower inlet and lower outlet, the upper inlet and lower outlet permitting specifically denser liquid to be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom, and the lower inlet and upper outlet permitting specifically less dense liquid to be introduced into the column and to be taken therefrom. Arranged centrally within the housing so as to extend vertically downward therein is a shaft and a plurality of stirring means which are spaced apart from each other are secured to the shaft, perpendicularly with respect thereto. A plurality of annular stator collars are mounted within the region of the inside wall of the housing, the individual stator collars being arranged downstream of, and spaced apart from, each other.

Abstract: A process for the production and maintenance of a fluidized layer in a heterogeneous system includes the steps of:(1) setting a heterogeneous mass stream having a liquid as the continuous phase and a solid and/or gas as the disperse phase into fluidized motion in a column between two plates arranged superimposed and inclined in opposition to each other with respect to the horizontal, said plates forming a fluidizing cell and said fluidized motion being promoted by the force of gravity;(2) enriching a heavier phase above the lower plate, especially in the lower region thereof, and causing said heavier phase to flow from there into the space below the lower plate;(3) enriching a lighter phase below the upper plate, especially in the upper region thereof, and causing the lighter phase to flow from there into the space above the upper plate and/or to be discharged from there from the column; and(4) conducting the disperse phase in case of a density higher than that of the continuous phase, in a direction from the

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting a dispersed phase from a moving mixed phase which ontains two substantially mutually insoluble liquids of different densities which form a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. The apparatus includes a pipe passing through the wall separating the mixed phase from its environment and having a funnel-shaped end which projects into the mixed phase and has a conical, inner wall. The funnel-shaped end presents an opening for capture of the dispersed phase, with the funnel shaped end being oriented such that the width or diameter of the opening is at right angles to the direction of movement of the dispersed phase.

Abstract: A process for the analysis of organic pollutants from an aqueous sample is provided including injecting an extraction solvent under pressure in the form of a plurality of substantially uniform droplets into the sample containing one or more pollutants. The solvent droplets are collected and then analyzed for the presence of the pollutants. The apparatus includes a sample holding column, a solvent reservoir, a source of gas under pressure, and a nozzle having one or more outlet ports which subdivides the solvent into small uniform droplets to enhance mass transfer of pollutants from the sample into the solvent.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction method and apparatus, which method comprises sequentially pulsing the light and heavy phases and controlling the operation of the valves which introduce into and withdraw from the column the liquid phases, based on the percent of phase-volume changes occurring in the liquid-liquid extraction in the column.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing a dispersion of substantially immiscible liquids which employs a conduit having an upstream section divided into first and second channels of variable length and a downstream section for mixing the liquids. The apparatus also includes means for varying the length of the first and second channels and means for flowing the liquids separately through the channels whereby the liquids mix in the downstream section of the conduit to form the dispersion. In accordance with one embodiment, a conventional mixer-settler is modified to include the conduit mounted at an upstream end of the settling chamber so that its inlet is adjacent the mixing chamber and its outlet is approximately at the same height as the organic-aqueous interface in the settling chamber.

Abstract: Previously known extraction columns for fissionable material (nuclear fuel) and breeder material in the reprocessing of spent fuel elements with pulsation mechanisms working by air impulses, drag along the radioactive aerosols. These difficulties are avoided with the extraction column of the invention in which the column body contains a central tube filled with extraction agent which is connected with a pulsating pump via a multiple part sealing liquid container with the parts joined together according to the principle of communicating tubes.

Abstract: Mixing of two liquid phases can be advantageously conducted when the two phases are supplied at steady flow rates. Variations in the rates of supply of the phases are compensated for by pumping each liquid at a constant flow rate higher than the maximum flow rate provided by the supply, and permitting recirculation of disengaged phase in the amount necessary to meet the demand of the system.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction apparatus, which apparatus comprises a liquid-liquid extraction column with timing controls for sequentially pulsing the light and heavy phases and controlling the operation of the valves which introduce into the withdraw from the column the liquid phases, based on the percent of phase-volume changes occurring in the liquid-liquid extraction in the column.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing compounds in a liquid, wherein it is constituted by a helical vibrating elevator having a tank with a vertical axis, a fixed cover, an annular helical ramp fixed to the tank wall, means for imparting a reciprocating movement about its axis and in a vertical plane to the ramp, said movement being such that the rotation speed of the ramp in one direction exceeds the rotation speed thereof in the opposite direction, at least one liquid supply pipe in the cover, at least one lateral discharge opening for the liquid in the tank, a supply chute for the compounds carried by the cover and whose axis coincides with that of the tank and a discharge chute for the compounds located at the top of the helical ramp and in an extension of the latter.The apparatus can in particular be used for the continuous dissolving of nuclear fuels in nitric acid during the reprocessing of said fuels.

Abstract: Apparatus for solvent extraction of a mother liquor with a solvent that is immiscible with and has a different specific gravity than the mother liquor, is disclosed. Means are provided for introducing into an extraction chamber, the solvent, the mother liquor and a carrier gas. Such means simultaneously serve to atomize the solvent and the mother liquor and disperse same in the carrier gas whereby upon introduction a cloud phase is produced in the chamber.The introducing and simultaneously atomizing is carried out through one and the same spray nozzle. Condensation means are arranged in the extraction chamber and function to terminate the cloud phase and produce a condensed extracted mother liquor phase and a condensed solvent phase containing the substance to be extracted. Means are provided for separating the condensed extracted mother liquor phase from the condensed solvent phase on the basis of the different specific gravities of same.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiments of the invention disclosed, an installation for mixing and separating two non-miscible liquids includes, inter alia, an improved pump structure for raising the liquid dispersion from the mixing tank to the inlet level to the decanting tank, a low flat chute for conveying the dispersion from the mixing tank to the remote end of the decanting tank, height-controlling means for controlling the level of the interphase within the decanting tank, and provision for recycling the lighter liquid phase to the mixing tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing liquid-liquid contacting operations, such as the extraction of mercaptans from hydrocarbons. The apparatus comprises a metal sphere which is retained in position above a mating valve seat in the upper open end of a vertical collar by a vertical retention cage. The collar extends through a horizontal plate, and a first liquid passes upward through a vertical bore in the collar to lift the sphere and contact a second liquid retained above the horizontal plate.

Abstract: A liquid extraction process using counterflowing liquid phases in a reciprocating plate extraction column in which the plates of the column are spaced with respect to one another approximately according to the equation: ##EQU1## wherein l is the plate spacing, U.sub.D is the superficial velocity of the dispersed phase at flooding, U.sub.C is the superficial velocity of the continuous phase at flooding, .DELTA..rho. is the density difference and .sigma. is the interfacial tension.By using the above equation the volume of column required to carry out a specific extraction is minimized.The extraction column comprises a casing, a reciprocating shaft in the casing having perforated plates and, optionally, baffle plates mounted thereon in a spatial relationship with respect to each other calculated on the basis of the equation and includes motive means and suitable cam and driving means to reciprocate the shaft.

Abstract: A process for mass transfer between heterogeneous systems or phases in a vertical exchange column having at least one plate, a heavier stream of matter being introduced above the plate and, a lighter stream of matter being introduced countercurrently thereto from the bottom of the plate, wherein (a) a heavier stream of matter fed from the top is deflected, above the plate, into a mixing zone in which the heavier stream undergoes vertical rotary movement and is mixed with a lighter stream of matter passing from below through a first passgeway of the plate and introduced into the mixing zone to also undergo vertical rotary movement, (b) a heavier phase, suspension, or the like fluid-like mass forming in the mixing zone during the mass transfer therein is accumulated in a zone superjacent to a second passageway of the plate; and (c) after a sufficient pressure gradient has been built up, the accumulated mass flows as another heavier stream through the second passageway into a space underneath the plate and is at