Counter Current “Emulsion Flow” Extractor for Continuous Liquid–Liquid Extraction from Suspended Solutions

Abstract

A single current “emulsion flow” liquid–liquid extraction apparatus has a head with a number of holes from which micrometer-sized droplets of an aqueous phase spout into an organic phase to mix the two liquid phases. For practical use, however, a fatal problem can occur when particulate components in the aqueous phase plug the holes. In the present study, we have succeeded in solving the problem by applying a counter current-type emulsion flow extractor where micrometer-sized droplets of the organic phase are generated.