Extraction of humic acid by coacervate: Investigation of direct and back processes

► Coacervate extraction was used, for humic acid extraction from aqueous solution. ► The surfactants used are alcohol polyethoxylate and alkylphenol polyethoxylate. ► Phase diagrams of binary (water/surfactant) and pseudo-binary systems were plotted. ► Best compromise between solute extraction percentage and volume fraction of coacervate was found. ► The possibility of recycling the surfactant has been proved.