A BATEMAN pulsed column uranium extraction facility at Olympic Dam, Australia.

Two BATEMAN pulsed columns used for the production of phosphoric acid by Haifa Chemicals Limited, Israel.

BATEMAN pulsed columns

The BATEMAN pulsed column is a high efficiency cost-effective contactor which enhances solvent extraction (SX) during extraction, stripping and scrubbing or washing processes. These columns should be considered for any industrial SX process, particularly those with a fast rate of exchange.

Advantages

The extraction process in BATEMAN pulsed columns is continuous and excellent results are obtained particularly if many stages are required. Good process control is possible as the extent of dispersion of the phases can be controlled by varying the pulsation rate.

The columns are mechanically simple, with no agitators or internal moving parts, and are easy to install and automate. The floor space required by the plant is about one tenth that required by alternative systems. Operating and maintenance costs are low. Start-up times after shut-downs are quick and operator requirements lower than for competitive systems. Because the system can handle liquids with suspended solids or which form third phases no shutdowns are required for crud removal and draining of interfacial material.

A good safety feature is the reduced risk of fire, as the system is closed and there is no loss of volatile organic solvents. This also reduces pollution of the environment and solvent costs.

Applications

Several industrial scale plants are operating and pilot plant studies indicate many applications for the BATEMAN pulsed column. In the minerals processing industry the columns are well suited to the processing of uranium, copper, nickel, cobalt and vanadium. For the chemical industry there are proven applications for the processing of nitric, phosphoric and hydrochloric acids and for treating inorganic salts and purifying organic solvents.

Environmental protection applications include the removal of nitrates and heavy metals and effluent treatment to produce water which complies with environmental control requirements. Further scope for application exists in the pharmaceutical, food and petroleum industries.

Test and design capabilities

The BATEMAN pulsed columns are backed up by BATEMAN’s comprehensive range of services. Bench-scale exploratory tests are followed by pilot-scale testing conducted either on-site or at one of the permanent pulsed column test facilities around the world. The availability of different sized test columns allows testwork to be done on a scale which best suits the project objectives and the client’s budget. This culminates in the design, construction and commissioning of full scale solvent extraction plants. Essential components of this service are the experience of BATEMAN engineers in solvent extraction and access to pulsed column pilot plants.

For further details, please contact Rafi Kleinberger, General Manager, Bateman Solvent Extraction, on email bsx@batemanengineering.com

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