US2266521A - Countercurrent contact apparatus - Google Patents

Countercurrent contact apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US2266521A
US2266521A US308437A US30843739A US2266521A US 2266521 A US2266521 A US 2266521A US 308437 A US308437 A US 308437A US 30843739 A US30843739 A US 30843739A US 2266521 A US2266521 A US 2266521A
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Prior art keywords
mixing
settling
zones
zone
liquid
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US308437A
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English (en)
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Willem Johannes Dominicu Dijck
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Shell Development Co
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Shell Development Co
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D11/00—Solvent extraction
    • B01D11/04—Solvent extraction of solutions which are liquid
    • B01D11/0446—Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers
    • B01D11/0457—Juxtaposition of mixers-settlers comprising rotating mechanisms, e.g. mixers, mixing pumps
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G21/00—Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by extraction with selective solvents

Definitions

  • COUNTERGURRENT CONTACT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1939 Inventor: Wfllem J9, nnus Dom'an'ucus vonpijck 6g his AH'orne Patented Dec. 16, 1941 COUNTERCURRENT CONTACT APPARATUS Willem Johannes Dominicus van Dijck, The
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for contacting continuously and countercurrently two non-miscible or only partly miscible liquids of different specific gravities such contacting being usually performed with the object of withdrawing one or more components from one liquid with the aid of the other liquid as, e. g., in extracting or washing operations, or with the object of subjecting one liquid to a chemical treatment with the other.
  • the invention more particularly relates to improvements in an apparatus of the type wherein a horizontal, inclined, or vertical tubeor shell is provided with transverse perforated partitions, subdividing the shell into a connected series of alternating mixing and settling zones and wherein the two liquids pass through these mixing and settling zones in opposite directions; certain features of the invention may, however, also be employed in devices wherein the mixing and settling zones are not arranged in the same shell.
  • the stirring devices present in each mixing zone in the preferred embodiment may be mounted on a common rotatable shaft extending in the longi-' tudinal direction of the tube or shell and turned by a pulley.
  • each intermediate settling zone receives mixtures from the two adjacent mixing zones and is in direct communication with both of these zones, it is unavoidable, especially if the stirring devices are capable of effecting an intensive circulation in the settler, not only that the liquid already treated in a mixing zone is returned to the same mixing zone-which inher'ently reduces the capacity of the apparatusbut also, what is even more objectionable, that this liquid is returned to the preceding settling zone and from there is allowed to enter the preceding mixing zone resulting in a decrease of the ehiciency of the treatment, per stage and thus in the case of extraction in a decrease of the sharpness of the separation.
  • the apparatus comprises a connected series of alternating mixing and settling zones arranged to cause the two liquids to pass in opposite directions through the mixing and settling zones countercurrently to one another and one or more walls in each intermediate settling zone arranged to subdivide the settling zone into at-least two'spaces, one space being in direct communication with only one of the-mixing zones adjacent to the said intermediate. settling zone, and another space beingin direct'eommunication onlywith the other mixing liquid flows through the opening at the lower level.
  • the mixing and settling zones may be separateunits connected with conduits, but are preferably located within a single cylindrical shell as illustrated. 'Such a shell may be placed in any position, such as from O to from the horizontal, the only requirement being that the walls dividing the settling zones into spaces be not horizontal so as to permit openings in the walls to be located at different levels. This may, in certain installations, require that thewalls be not perpendicular to the axis of the shell.
  • Figure I is a sectional elevation view of one preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure II is a cross-sectional view taken on section line II--II of Figure I. v
  • Figure III is a fragmental sectional elevation view of a modified apparatus wherein two walls are provided in the settling zone.
  • Figure IV illustrates a fragmental section of an apparatus provided with modified partitions between mixing and settling zones.
  • Figure V is a cross-sectional view taken on section line VV of Figure IV showing the modified partition.
  • Figures VI, VIII and IX are sectional views similar to Figure V showing modified arrangements of the holes in the partitions.
  • Figure VII is a fragmental section of an apparatus similar to Figure IV illustrating a, further modification in the partitions wherein certain openings are omitted.
  • I is an inclined cylindrical shell carried by suitable supports 2 and 3 and subdivided by partitions 4d, ib, 4c, 4d, 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, etc., formed of perforated plates or sieves to provide alternating mixing and settling zones. Any suitable number of partitions may be provided, only four mixing zones 5d, 5b, 5a, 5b with intermediate settling zones 6 and 6 in addition to end zones I and 8 being illustrated.
  • Walls 9 and 9' divide their respective settling zones into sub zones or spaces Illa, Illb, Illa and Illb.
  • the walls 9 and 9' at the top and bottom are perforated by openings I la, I lb, I la and I I b respectively.
  • the space Illa is in direct communication only with the mixing zone 5a while the space IIlb is in direct communication only with the mixing zone 5b.
  • a common shaft I2 carries agitators I3a, I3b', I3a and I311 such as propellers or stirring rods, and is turned by pulley I4 to provide mixing in the mixing zones.
  • Valves I5 and I5 control the feed to and. outflow from the end settling zone I while valves I1 and I8 similarly control the outflow from and feed to end settling zone 8.
  • a light liquid A is fed from the left through valve I5 and a heavy liquid B from the right through valve I8. These liquids pass through the apparatus countercurrently, and are repeatedly contacted with each other in the mixing zones so as to interact the light liquid A leaving the apparatus through valve IT and the heavy liquid B through valve I5.
  • the walls 9 and 9 perform two distinct functions: they prevent the mixing of the two mixtures of liquids from the spaces Illa and Illb, etc., which mixtures were produced in different mixing zones and are, therefore, in different stages of treatment; and they prevent the moving of the liquids separated from these mixtures by settling in the undesired direction, thereby preventing flow to a mixing or settling zone where the liquid in question is still in a previous stage of treatment.
  • the perforated wall only enables mixing of the separated liquids in the direction in which the liquid in question flows through the apparatus.
  • the light liquid A in space Illb which is already in a further stage of treatment than that in Ilia, cannot return to space Ida, and thence to mixing zone 5a, in which case the efficiency of the treatment would be reduced.
  • the construction is similar to that shown in Figure I, reference characters I, 4a, 5b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5%), I2, I30 and I3b designating the same elements.
  • the settling zone between the mixing zones 5d and 5b is provided with two walls Ila and 9b, thereby separating the settling zone into terminal spaces Ida and IOb (in direct communica-' tion with mixing zones 5a and 5b, respectively) and an intermediate space Iflc.
  • the walls 9a and 9b are provided with holes Ila and Ilb, as described for Figures I and II.
  • the intermediate space I00 permits liquid entrained with the material flowing through the holes I la and I lb to settle out.
  • the reavy liquid B moving to the left from the space IBb may contain an undesirable amount of the liquid A because the mixture in the space Iflb is not entirely quiescent.
  • This entrained liquid A rises in the intermediate space Ific, wherein substantially no agitation obtains.
  • the heavy liquid B which flows through the bottom opening III] of the wall 9a to the space Ida is thereby substantially free from the liquid A.
  • Circulation (1. e., two way flow) between a particular mixing zone and the adjacent settling zone is, of course, necessary, because only one of the two liquids should move from said settling zone to the next mixing zone, whereas the other liquid must return to the said particular mixing zone.
  • this necessary circulation inclination of the shell or provision of pumps are not necessary; the disturbance of the equilibrium due to the mixing is sufficient.
  • this mixing produces in the mixing zone of a dispersion having a density intermediate the densities of the separated liquids A and B in the settling zone.
  • the separated liquids therefore flow through the openings at top and bottom of the partitions 4a, etc., from the settling zones to the mixing zones, whilst the mixture flows at anintermediate level from the mixing zones to the settling zones. Owing to the centrifugal effect of the rotating stirring devices, however, the liquids in the mixing zone near the shaft l2 will be caused to flow radially outward in the mixing zone, drawing in material from the settling zone near the shaft.
  • This superfluous circulation causes an increased consumption of energy and a decrease of the capacity of a given apparatus.
  • reference numbers I, 9, I2, I30. and [3b designate the same elements as in Figure I.
  • Thedevice in these figures diiiers only in that the sieve-like partitions 4a, etc., are replaced by partitions I911, I91), I90, and lHd, which are imperforate except for the radial inlet openings 20a and 20b at the top and bottom and the radial outlet openings 2Ia andZIb at about the level .of the shaft l2.
  • the distribution and shape of the radial openings is shown i Figure V.
  • outlet openings 20a and 20b may be provided at levels nearer to the level of the outlet openings 2la' and Zib as shown in Figure VI.
  • FIG. VIII A modified form of the partition wherein the outlet holes Zia" and 211) are located in this manner to avoid circulation currents due to asymmetrical distribution of light and heavy liquids is shown in Figure VIII.
  • the direction of rotation of the shaft is indicated by the arrow.
  • the inlet openings 20a" and 201)" are 10-" 23. cated at the top and bottom, but may be located as shown in Figure VI.
  • FIG. 1 shows only part of the complete apparatus, which may be equipped with a large number of mixing and settling zones connected in series.
  • the apparatus in Figure I may be conceived to consist of a number of sections, separated by the walls 9, 9, etc., each of which comprises a central mixing zone and settling space on both sides thereof; one of these settling in partitions I91: and l9c are;
  • the apparatus may be adapted in a known manner to the distribution of the components of a third liquid C over the two liquids A and B, which for this purpose is fed into one of the mixing zones at an intermediate point between the two ends of the apparatus.
  • Apparatus for contacting continuously and countercurrently two at least partially immiscible liquids of diiferent densities comprising a longitudinal cylindrical shell, a plurality of partitions situated transversely to the axis of said shell subdividing the shell into a series of alternating mixing and settling zones, inlet openings in said partitions for the flow of liquid from the settling zones into the mixing zones, outlet openings in said partitions for the flow of a mixture of liquids from the mixing zones into the two settling zones, adjacent each mixing zone, a stirring device in each mixing zone mounted on a common rotatable shaft, said shaft running longitudinally through said shell, whereby said liquids can flow in opposite directions through said mixing and settling zones, and a wall in an intermediate settling zone dividing said settling zone into spaces, said wall being substantially imperforate except for openings at its outer edges, one space being in direct communication with only one of the mixing zones adjacent to the settling zone and another space being in direct communication with the other adjacent mixing zone only, and openings in said wall for
  • Apparatus for contacting continuously and countercurrently two at least partially immiscible liquids of diiferent densities comprising a longitudinal, cylindrical shell disposed in a position other than vertical, a plurality of partitions situated transversely to the axis of said shell, dividing the shell into a series of alternating mixing and settling zones, inlet openings in said partitions for the flow of liquid from the settling zones into the mixing zones, outlet openings in said partitions for the flow of a mixture of liquids from the mixing zones into the two settling zones adjacent each mixing zone, a stirrin device in each mixing zone mounted on a common rotatable shaft, said shaft running longitudinally through said shell whereby said liquids can flow in opposite directions through said mixing and settling zones and a wallin an intermediate settling zone dividing said settling zone into spaces, one space being in direct communication with only one of the mixing zones adjacent to the settling zone and another space being in direct communication with the other adjacent mixing zone only and openings in said wall for the passage of the liquids locatedat
  • partitions between the mixing and settling zones contain at least two outlet openings located substantially diametrically opposite to each other, one opening being slightly above and the other slightly below the level of the shaft at the position of the respective partitions.
  • Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the outlet openings in the partitions between a mixing zone and a settling zone are shaped asradial slots radially arranged with respect to the shaft I of the stirring device.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Extraction Or Liquid Replacement (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Mixers Of The Rotary Stirring Type (AREA)
US308437A 1938-12-14 1939-12-09 Countercurrent contact apparatus Expired - Lifetime US2266521A (en)

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Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2562783A (en) * 1947-11-21 1951-07-31 Standard Oil Dev Co Countercurrent extraction tower
US2645565A (en) * 1950-04-22 1953-07-14 Standard Oil Dev Co Liquid-liquid extraction tower
US2672406A (en) * 1948-11-18 1954-03-16 Phillips Petroleum Co Apparatus for liquid-liquid contacting
US2682453A (en) * 1952-03-19 1954-06-29 Atomic Energy Commission Mixer-settler contact apparatus
US2710250A (en) * 1950-02-08 1955-06-07 Colgate Palmolive Co Apparatus for the continuous liquidliquid solvent extraction of inorganic salt impurities from organic salt solutions
US2726145A (en) * 1950-08-23 1955-12-06 British Petroleum Co Countercurrent extraction apparatus
US2735755A (en) * 1956-02-21 carney
US2760850A (en) * 1951-11-23 1956-08-28 Lummus Co Tank reactor
US2775543A (en) * 1953-09-30 1956-12-25 Exxon Research Engineering Co Liquid-liquid contacting tower
US2778717A (en) * 1950-11-21 1957-01-22 Decker Peter Process and apparatus for the separation of mixtures of substances by continuous countercurrent distribution in solvents
US2847283A (en) * 1955-11-25 1958-08-12 Warren S Figg Pulsed mixer-settler solvent extraction contactors
US2906606A (en) * 1951-11-05 1959-09-29 Signer Rudolf Apparatus for the separation of mixtures of substances
US2965695A (en) * 1957-12-03 1960-12-20 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for repetitive mixing of fluids
US2990254A (en) * 1958-01-29 1961-06-27 Ca Atomic Energy Ltd Liquid-liquid contact extractor
DE1129457B (de) * 1958-03-26 1962-05-17 Graesser Ltd R Vorrichtung zur Gegenstromextraktion zweier nicht mischbarer Fluessigkeiten

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2488884A (en) * 1945-07-19 1949-11-22 Shell Dev Apparatus for contacting immiscible liquids

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2735755A (en) * 1956-02-21 carney
US2562783A (en) * 1947-11-21 1951-07-31 Standard Oil Dev Co Countercurrent extraction tower
US2672406A (en) * 1948-11-18 1954-03-16 Phillips Petroleum Co Apparatus for liquid-liquid contacting
US2710250A (en) * 1950-02-08 1955-06-07 Colgate Palmolive Co Apparatus for the continuous liquidliquid solvent extraction of inorganic salt impurities from organic salt solutions
US2645565A (en) * 1950-04-22 1953-07-14 Standard Oil Dev Co Liquid-liquid extraction tower
US2726145A (en) * 1950-08-23 1955-12-06 British Petroleum Co Countercurrent extraction apparatus
US2778717A (en) * 1950-11-21 1957-01-22 Decker Peter Process and apparatus for the separation of mixtures of substances by continuous countercurrent distribution in solvents
US2906606A (en) * 1951-11-05 1959-09-29 Signer Rudolf Apparatus for the separation of mixtures of substances
US2760850A (en) * 1951-11-23 1956-08-28 Lummus Co Tank reactor
US2682453A (en) * 1952-03-19 1954-06-29 Atomic Energy Commission Mixer-settler contact apparatus
US2775543A (en) * 1953-09-30 1956-12-25 Exxon Research Engineering Co Liquid-liquid contacting tower
US2847283A (en) * 1955-11-25 1958-08-12 Warren S Figg Pulsed mixer-settler solvent extraction contactors
US2965695A (en) * 1957-12-03 1960-12-20 Shell Oil Co Method and apparatus for repetitive mixing of fluids
US2990254A (en) * 1958-01-29 1961-06-27 Ca Atomic Energy Ltd Liquid-liquid contact extractor
DE1129457B (de) * 1958-03-26 1962-05-17 Graesser Ltd R Vorrichtung zur Gegenstromextraktion zweier nicht mischbarer Fluessigkeiten

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