Liquid-liquid extraction tower - comprising vertically spaced cross flow trays and constant flow rate maintaining baffle arrangements

摘要

A liquid-liquid extraction tower comprises vertically spaced cross-flow trays and baffle arrangement whereby constant flow rate is maintained between the trays and whereby the inter-tray spacing is split into dispersion and settling zones. The tower is used particularly in extracting aromatics from hydrocarbons using phenol solvent. The flow rate of the rising separated light phase is maintained constant irrespective of feed rates and the separated phase is prevented from re-mixing with the falling heavy phase. Coalescing time is decreased.