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Supercritical extraction of organic compounds from aqueous solutions

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6727210
We have investigated three model contaminants; phenol, a phenolic mixture, and petroleum creosote. In each case, static equilibrium supercritical extractions were conducted as a function of pressure and temperature using carbon dioxide as the solvent. Samples from the extractor were taken and analyzed to determine distribution coefficients. The Peng-Robinson equation of state with a modified mixing rule was used to correlate the data and provide a qualitative prediction of the effect of adding a small amount of an entrainer to the system. These predictions were verified experimentally. In addition, short-term bioassays were used to monitor the reduction in residual toxicity of the water and provide an alternative method of determining a lumped distribution coefficient. The results of this study indicate that supercritical fluid extraction is a viable technique for removing both single component and multicomponent contaminants from aqueous solutions.
Research Organization:
Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (USA)
OSTI ID:
6727210
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English