Surface area generation and droplet size control in solvent extraction systems utilizing high intensity electric fields

Patent · 01 January 1988

OSTI ID:866697

Scott, Timothy C ^[1]; Wham, Robert M ^[2]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN

A method and system for solvent extraction where droplets are shattered by a high intensity electric field. These shattered droplets form a plurality of smaller droplets which have a greater combined surface area than the original droplet. Dispersion, coalescence and phase separation are accomplished in one vessel through the use of the single pulsing high intensity electric field. Electric field conditions are chosen so that simultaneous dispersion and coalescence are taking place in the emulsion formed in the electric field. The electric field creates a large amount of interfacial surface area for solvent extraction when the droplet is disintegrated and is capable of controlling droplet size and thus droplet stability. These operations take place in the presence of a counter current flow of the continuous phase.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
• Other Award/Contract Number: AC05-840R21400
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4767515
• OSTI ID: 866697
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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