THE ROLE OF INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA IN A LIQUID-LIQUID REACTION SYSTEM: EXTRACTION OF PROPANOIC ACID BY TRIOCTYLAMINE

The kinetics of extraction of propanoic acid from water to isobulanol by reaction with trioctylamine have been investigated. Mass transfer was modelled by extending the approach used in absorption with chemical reaction, as it is usually done for liquid-liquid reactions. The presence of the amine, however, gave rise to phenomena that cause this method to fail, producing inconsistent results. In order to explain these data, the presence of relevant interfacial phenomena must be supposed.