Comparative Study on Reactive Extraction of Picolinic Acid with Six Different Extractants (Phosphoric and Aminic) in Two Different Diluents (Benzene and Decan-1-ol)

The equilibrium study on reactive extraction of picolinic acid by six different extractants (phosphoric and aminic) dissolved in two different diluents (benzene and decane-1-ol) is carried out to evaluate the performance of extractants and diluents. The extraction ability in terms of the distribution coefficient (K _D) is found to be in the order of tri-n-octylamine (TOA) ≥ tri-n-dodecylamine (TDDA) > di-2-ehylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) > tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) > tri-octyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) > tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) with both diluents. Decan-1-ol is found to be the better solvating medium for the acid-extractant complexes. A mathematical model based on mass action law is employed to estimate the values of partition coefficient (P) and dimerization constant (D) in physical extraction, and equilibrium extraction constants (K _E) in chemical extraction. The values of loading ratios (Z) less than 0.5 imply the formation of (1:1) acid:extractant solvates in the organic phase. Decan-1-ol with TOA is the most effective solvation medium with K _{D, max} = 9 at 0.01 kmol · m^?3 of picolinic acid and K _E = 19.448 m³ · kmol^?1.     

Reactive extraction of propionic acid using tri‐n‐octylamine,tri‐n‐butyl phosphate and aliquat 336 in sunflower oil as diluent

BACKGROUND : Propionic acid is widely used in chemical and allied industries and can be produced by biocultivation in a clean and environmentally friendly route. Recovery of the acid from the dilute stream from the bioreactor is an economic problem. Reactive extraction is a promising method of recovering the acid but suffers from toxicity problems of the solvent employed. There is thus a need for a non‐toxic solvent or a combination of less toxic extractants in a non‐toxic diluent that can recover acid efficiently. RESULTS: The effect of different extractants (tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP), tri‐n‐octylamine (TOA) and Aliquat 336) and their mixed binary solutions in sunflower oil diluent was studied to find the best extractant‐sunflower oil combination. Equilibrium complexation constant, K_E, values of 4.02, 3.13 and 1.87 m³ kmol^?1 were obtained for propionic acid extraction using Aliquat 336, TOA and TBP, respectively, in sunflower oil. The effect of different modifiers (1‐decanol, methylisobutyl ketone, butyl acetate and dodecanol) on the extraction was also studied and it was found that modifiers enhance extraction, with 1‐decanol found to be the best. CONCLUSION: The problem of toxicity in reactive extraction can be reduced by using a non‐toxic diluent (sunflower oil) or a modifier in a non‐toxic solvent, with the extractant. The addition of modifiers was found to improve the extraction. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry