Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
690194 Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2016 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

•Extraction of levulinic acid using phosphoric and aminic extractants in active diluent was investigated.•A comparison was done between the extractants based on extraction efficiency.•A maximum KD of 9.571 with 90.54% recovery of acid was obtained.•Minimum solvent to feed ratio required for 90% recovery, NTS, height and diameter of the extraction column were calculated.

The reactive extraction of levulinic acid using two different extractants [tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and tri-n-octylamine (TOA)] dissolved in 1-octanol was investigated at 298 K. Using the equilibrium data, the distribution coefficient (KD), extraction efficiency (%E) and loading ratios (Z) were calculated. TOA provided highest KD values with 1-octanol. A maximum KD was obtained as 9.571 using 0.689 mol/kg TOA while 90.54 % of the initial levulinic acid was extracted. Increasing the initial acid concentration resulted in a decrease in the extraction efficiency. Loading ratios were found to be less than 1 for TBP while both types, i.e. 1:1 and 2:1 acid-amine complexes were expected to form with TOA. The feasibility of the extraction process was assessed by calculating minimum solvent to feed ratio required for 90% recovery of levulinic acid, number of theoretical stages, height and diameter of the extraction column.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology
Authors
, , , ,