Breakthrough curves for oleic acid removal from ethanolic solutions using a strong anion exchange resin

Breakthrough curves for the uptake of oleic acid from azeotropic ethanol solutions, using an anion exchange resin (Amberlyst 26A OH), were determined at (298.15 ± 0.10) K. The breakthrough data were obtained using an experimental factorial design (22), so that the observed behavior could be investigated as a function of operational conditions using surface response analysis. Two factors were investigated: flow rate (16.5–33 mL min−1) and oleic acid concentration in the ethanolic solutions (3.5–6.5 mass%). The breakthrough curves indicated that a favorable process of oleic acid removal from ethanolic solutions was possible using anion exchange resin. A model that describes the dynamics of oleic acid adsorption in the column was obtained from the mass balances in the fluid and resin phases. The model parameter, namely the mass transfer coefficient (Ks, min−1), was fitted to the experimental data. A good agreement between experimental and adjusted data was obtained.