Solvent extraction leaching

Solvent extraction and leaching Solvent extraction (liquid-liquid extraction) [Pg.445]

Solvent extraction, also called liquid-liquid extraction, can be used to separate a substance from a solution by extraction into another solvent. It can be used ether to recover a valuable substance from the original solution, or to purify the original solvent by removing an unwanted component. Examples of solvent extraction are the extraction of uranium and plutonium salts from solution in nitric acid, in the nuclear industry and the purification of water. [Pg.445]

The process depends on the substance being extracted, the solute, having a greater solubility in the solvent used for the extraction than in the original feed solvent. The two solvents must be essentially immiscible. [Pg.445]

The solvents are mixed in a contactor, to effect the transfer of solute, and then the phases separated. The depleted feed solvent leaving the extractor is called the raffinate, and the solute rich extraction solvent, the extract. The solute is normally recovered from the extraction solvent, by distillation, and the extraction solvent recycled. [Pg.445]

The simplest form of extractor is a mixer-settler, which consist of an agitated tank and a decanter. [Pg.445]

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