LIQUID-LIQUID SEPARATION

摘要

A separation process comprising, treating the liquid mixture with one or more additives which promote agglomeration of the droplets of the less dense phase, and then subjecting the treated liquid mixture to separation in a hydrocyclone, the process being characterised in that said treatment includes mechanical agitation of the liquid/additive mixture during flow of the mixture through at least one agglomeration column, the or each column exhibiting a length to diameter ratio not greater than 20:1 and not less than 4:1, and the continuous phase of the liquid mixture having a residence time in the or each column of not less than 15 seconds and not greater than 3 minutes.