simulation of fluid flow in settler of copper solvent extraction process

Mixer- settlers are widely used for solvent extraction process in industry. The aims of this project are simulation of fluid flow and optimizing the operational conditions of settler in solvent extraction process. Designing and meshing of settler geometry is done by Gambit software. Then, in order to simulate the fluid flow, the meshed designed imported to Ansys Fluent software. Simulation results were verified before simulation. Effect of Inlet volumetric on phase separation investigated. The effect of geometry of picket fences was investigated by the presence of cubic, cylindrical picket fences, picket fences with 5 corner cross section and half cylindrical picket fences. A few extra plates of picket fences were located near the entrance of settler. Phase separation in presence of two and three rows of picket fences investigated. Results indicate that by reducing the inlet volumetric rate, increasing the number of rows, putting extra plates of picket fences in front of entrance and decreasing the closed to open surface ratio to 2, separation improves.