CONTINUOUS SEPARATION METHOD BY SERIES OF FLOW

摘要

A process for separating an extract component from a raffinate component contained in a feed mixture. A unidirectional fluid flow system is maintained through a series of separating units through which the components travel at different rates. The units are interconnected in series so as to form a single closed loop. A component concentration distribution is established within the system of units so as to comprise a series of zones. Feed and displacement fluid are each mixed with a different intercolumn stream prior to being passed into the inlets of two of the units and extract and raffinate are taken only as portions of streams from outlets of two or more of the units at appropriate points on the component concentration distribution. At the appropriate times the inlets and outlets are shifted so as to simulate movement of the units in a direction downstream with respect to the direction of fluid flow and thereby enable the inlets and outlets to continually lie in the appropriate zones.