(609a) Designing Extraction Columns for Fractional Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Often times a simple liquid-liquid extraction process (single counter current solvent) will not work effectively for certain separations due to mutual extraction of a number of components into the solvent phase. Many of these separations are ideal candidates for an under utilized technique known as fractional extraction. Like simple extraction, the best method for designing an extraction column for a fractional extraction process is via pilot plant testing followed by scale up using the pilot plant data. This report demonstrates this design method using two different separation applications. Pilot plant equipment set-ups are presented along with the test procedures uses to optimize the performance for both applications. Scale up to the production columns are discussed.