Liquid–liquid equilibria study of the (water + phosphoric acid + hexyl or cyclohexyl acetate) systems at T = (298.15, 308.15, and 318.15) K: Measurement and thermodynamic modelling

•Tie line data for aqueous solutions of phosphoric acid with esters were obtained.•The LLE data were correlated using the UNIQUAC and NRTL models.•The quality of the LLE data was validated using the appropriate equations.•Separation factors were calculated for the chosen solvents.

Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the (water + phosphoric acid + n-hexyl acetate or cyclohexyl acetate) ternary systems were determined at T = (298.15, 308.15 and 318.15) K and p = 101.3 kPa. The cloud point method was used to obtain the solubility and the Karl-Fischer, acidimetric titration, and refractive index methods were used to determine the tie-line values. Both the ternary systems exhibit type-1 behavior of LLE. The experimental values were regressed and acceptably correlated using the UNIQUAC and NRTL models. The reliability of the experimental tie lines was confirmed using the Othmer–Tobias plot. Experimental distribution coefficients and separation factors were fitted using the Kamlet–Taft LSER model. The influence of temperature on the biphasic area and separation factor was found to be minor. As a result, both the esters are suitable separating agents for aqueous phosphoric acid mixtures.

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