EXTRACTION EQUILIBRIUM OF PHENOL BY SULFURIC ACID SALTS OF TRIOCTYLAMINE

An investigation was undertaken involving the extraction equilibrium of phenol from an aqueous solution using trioctylamine sulfate salt (TOA salt)/trioctylamine (TOA) as the extractant. The purpose of using trioctylamine as the organic solvent is to increase the total capability of phenol extraction as well as to avoid the use of other organic solvents. In order to prevent the formation of a second phase from the reaction of trioctylamine and sulfuric acid, 1-octanol in an appropriate amount was added to make the organic solution homogeneous. Equilibrium distribution coefficients (K_d) in the extraction of phenol by TOA salt/TOA were measured for various operating conditions. The equilibrium distribution coefficient of phenol (K_d) between two phases decreased with increasing the initial concentration of phenol, thereby decreasing the initial concentration of sulfuric acid, and subsequently increasing the volume ratio of aqueous phase to organic phase. We recommended that the extraction is carried out at low temperature. A higher value of K_d up to 800 was obtained in using trioctylamine sulfate/trioctylamine as the extractant for equal volume ratio of aqueous phase to organic phase.