Solvent extraction of phenols from water

Conference · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5522888

Greminger, D C; Burns, G P; Lynn, S; Hanson, D H; King, C J

Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and diisopropyl ether (DIPE) have been evaluated as solvents for extraction of phenols, at high dilution, from water. Equilibrium distribution coefficients (K/sub D/) have been measured for phenol, dihydroxybenzenes and trihydroxybenzenes in both solvents as a function of pH. Particularly for the multihydric phenols, MIBK gives substantially higher values of K/sub D/ than does DIPE. The effect of pH can be described quantitatively through a simple ionization model, using published values of dissociation constants for the various phenols. Some method for removal of residual dissolved solvent must ordinarily be included in any extraction process for phenols. Possibilities include atmospheric-steam or inert-gas stripping, vacuum-steam stripping, and extraction with a second solvent. Vacuum-steam stripping is a particularly attractive choice for removal of MIBK; this reinforces the utility of MIBK as a solvent. The optimal temperature for vacuum stripping is generally the temperature of the extraction operation, which in turn is related to the effect of temperature on K/sub D/. Values of K/sub D/ for phenol-water-MIBK were determined at 30, 50, and 75/sup 0/C, and were found to decrease with increasing temperature at all concentrations.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5522888
• Report Number(s): LBL-10480; CONF-800610-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
AROMATICS
ETHERS
EXTRACTION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SOLVENTS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHENOLS
REMOVAL
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SOLVENTS
STEAM
WATER