Recent Advances in Centrifugal Contactor Design

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Abstract
Advances are being made in the design of the Argonne centrifugal contactor for solvent extraction. These contactors are being built, tested, and used to implement the TRUEX process for the cleanup of nuclear waste liquids. These advances include 1) using off-the-shelf, face-mounted motors; 2) modifying the contactor so that relatively volatile solvents can be used; 3) adding a high-level liquid detector that can be used to alert the plant operator of process upsets; 4) providing secondary feed ports; 5) optimizing support frame design; 6) devising a linear design with external interstage lines so that stages can be allocated as needed for extraction, scrub, strip, and solvent cleanup operations; and 7) developing features that facilitate contactor operation in remote facilities.