Reverse flow settler apparatus

A reverse flow apparatus 150 for separating liquid-liquid dispersions of relatively light and heavy phases, wherein the apparatus comprises a vessel having front 102 and rear 105 walls and first 104 and second side walls 103 disposed generally transverse to the front and rear walls. A floor 101 is connected to the side walls, and to the front and rear walls. A settling section 180 is disposed within the vessel and an underflow launder 120, is at least partially submerged below, and connected to, the floor. A launder volume within the launder fluidly communicates with the settling section at a first height. An overflow launder 140 connects to the settling section and fluidly communicates with the settling section at a second height wherein the second height exceeds the first height. A pre-coalescence channel 110 is disposed generally along a long dimension of the first side wall, the channel having a feed end adapted to receive a feed flow, and a discharge end adapted to discharge the feed flow. A feed distribution channel 130 is disposed generally transverse to the pre-coalescence channel and between the front wall and the settling section. Pluralities of turning vanes 135 are disposed within the feed distribution channel, and a first end of the turning vanes is disposed within the pre-coalescence channel, at the discharge end. The turning vanes are adapted to generally reverse a flow direction of the flow within the feed distribution channel to produce a reversed flow direction, with respect to a direction of the feed flow through the pre-coalescence channel. A second end of the turning vanes (Fig 4) form an acute angle (θi) with a line projecting perpendicularly with respect to a length of the pre-coalescence channel wherein the acute angle is within a range of 30° to 80°. Advantageously the reverse flow apparatus significantly reduces flow turbulence.