Effect of binary extractants and modifier–diluents systems on equilbria of propionic acid extraction

Propionic acid is an important carboxylic acid widely used in chemical industries. The recovery from aqueous waste streams and fermentation broth is of research interest. Extraction of carboxylic acids by reactive extraction using extractant-diluent, mixed extractants in diluents and extractants in mixed diluents etc. are emerging areas of study. With this aim reactive extraction of propionic acid was carried out to study: (i) effect of binary extractants (tri-n-octylamine(TOA):tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), TOA:Aliquat 336 and TBP:Aliquat 336), (ii) effect of modifier (1-decanol) in different diluents (kerosene, n-octane, n-heptane, petroleum ether, butyl acetate, MIBK, 2-octanol, dodecanol, hexane) and (iii) effect of phase volume. Improved extractions using binary extractants and binary diluents were observed. Since liquid–liquid extraction is dependent on effect of modifier concentration, effect of phase volume, presence of single or binary extractants and binary diluents, the study will be useful in the design of reactive extraction process for propionic acid recovery.