Outotec’s VSF^®X Implementation to Provide Modular Solvent Extraction Technology

The world’s first large scale modular solvent extraction plants have been delivered by Outotec. The first of these is now in operation and has proven that the VSF^®X technology can deliver the excellent performance of the Outotec VSF^® solvent extraction process. Modular delivery allows site work to be minimized and the manufacturing done in a controlled environment, allowing for serial production manufacturing benefits. Container based delivery was found to be a highly efficient way of utilizing the standardized transportation methods on a global scale. Site work with modular units was found to be efficient and highly predictable. In this paper, we present the first successful Outotec VSF^®X deliveries and discuss the benefits of the modular delivery and design compared to the standard solvent extraction installation’s delivery. The process performance of the VSF^®X is also discussed with experiences from the first industrial reference presented.