Reactive Extraction of Propionic Acid Using Tri-N-butyl Phosphate in Petroleum Ether: Equilibrium Study

A. Keshav, K. L. Wasewar and S. Chand

Abstract
In present paper, the recovery of propionic acid from aqueous phase by reactive extraction was studied using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in petroleum ether. Extraction using pure diluent was found to be poor. Using the mixture of extractant-diluent the extraction was significantly improved. Results were presented in terms of distribution coefficient, equilibrium complexation constant, loading ratio and extraction efficiency. Propionic acid and TBP were found to form (γ = 1:1) complex with no overloading.

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Keywords
Propionic acid, reactive extraction, TBP, petroleum ether, liquid-liquid equilibrium