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Water-enhanced solubility of carboxylic acids in organic solvents and its application to extraction processes

Journal Article · · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00011a023· OSTI ID:6759882
 [1];  [2]
  1. Abbott Labs., North Chicago, IL (United States)
  2. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)

This paper reports on solubilities of carboxylic acids in certain organic solvents which increase sharply as the concentration of water in the solvent increases. This phenomenon leads to a method of regeneration for solvent-extraction processes whereby coextracted water is selectively removed from the extract, such as by stripping, thereby precipitating the acid. The removal of a minor constituent to cause precipitation reduces energy consumption, in contrast with bulk removal of solvent. Solubilities of fumaric acid were measured in a number of organic solvents, with varying amounts of water in the organic phase. Cyclohexanone and methylcyclohexanone were chosen as solvents for which detailed solid-liquid and liquid-liquid equilibria were measured for adipic, fumaric, and succinic acids in the presence of varying concentrations of water, at both 25 and 45[degrees]C. Batch precipitation experiments were performed to demonstrate the processing concept and determine the relative volatility of water to solvent in the presence of carbon.

DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
6759882
Journal Information:
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States), Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States) Vol. 31:11; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English