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Solvent extraction is a chemical process used to separate components of a mixture. It involves using two immiscible liquids, where one liquid (the solvent) dissolves the desired substance from the other liquid. This process is fundamental in various industries, including the recovery of oils from seeds and the purification of rare-earth elements.12

The effectiveness of solvent extraction depends on the "separation factor," which indicates how easily components can be divided. If the factor is high, a single-stage process may suffice. For less distinct separations, a multistage process, where the extraction is repeated multiple times, is employed to achieve higher purity. Common extractors include continuous units like the Bollman or DeSmet designs, which facilitate a counterflow of solvent and material for efficient separation.31

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