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Title: Solvent extraction for treating phenolic wastewater

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5953987

A two-stage solvent extraction of phenolic wastewater was investigated. In the first step, phenolics are extracted with methylisobutyl ketone (MIBK). In the second step, MIBK (1 to 2 wt %), which dissolves in the wastewater is recovered by extraction with hexane. The phenolics were modeled in this study as phenol and resorcinol. For the first extraction step, the distribution coefficient K/sub D/ for resorcinol in the MIBK-water system was experimentally determined as a function of temperature and resorcinol concentration. The process was simulated on the computer with the ASPEN program, and the results were used to determine the effects of temperature and the MIBK/water ratio in the first extracter on process economics. Of the four cases studied, a water MIBK ratio of 5 and extraction temperatures of 303 K (30/sup 0/C) required the smallest capital and operating costs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Oak Ridge, TN (USA). School of Chemical Engineering Practice
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5953987
Report Number(s):
ORNL/MIT-363; ON: DE83014563
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English