Abstract
A computer algorithm is proposed for the structure synthesis of liquid-liquid extraction processes employed for metal separation. The following simplified model is adopted. A process is composed of counter-current multistage mixer-settlers. The distribution ratios of the metals are independent of the composition of each phase, and the feed solvent employed for extraction and the water for stripping are each metal-free. A knowledge of the metal components to be separated, the solvents available and the distribution ratios of the metal species enables alternative feasible structures to be selected by use of a tree-type algprithm. For each alternative structure, the number of stages in each operation needed to separate the key component to a specified value may then be calculated with a computer programme in order to minimise the total number of stages in the process.
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