Analysis and optimization of the structure of liquid phase flows in extractors of multiple irrigation of the oil-containing material with an extractant

Abstract

The analysis of the flows structure in extractors operating by the method of multiple irrigation of the oil-containing material with an extractant (extractive agent) has been carried out. The features of the mass transfer process are considered using experimental data on the equilibrium: in the system the oil-containing material is the extractant and the kinetics of the extraction of the oil-bearing material. Experimental data of the concentration of miscella at each stage of a belt extractor operating according to the method of multi-stage irrigation were obtained under production conditions. Based on the data obtained, a working line of the extraction process for this extractor (extraction unit) was constructed, which made it possible to substantiate the ways of improving the structure of the liquid phase flows in it. The improvement of the streams structure of the liquid phase of the belt extractors is carried out on the basis of mathematical modeling of the process of extracting oil from the oil-containing material. We take into account the effect of reverse recirculation of the extractant and the dynamics of moving the extractant in the solid phase in the zone of no irrigation. It is shown that it is possible to intensify the extraction process by organizing an additional injection of the extractant at the last stage of the extractor. A numerical experiment was carried out on the basis of the developed mathematical model, which takes into account the additional injection of the solvent. As a result, it was found that the proposed solution allows reducing the oil content of the meal to 0.8%.