Hydrocarbon Extraction into Surfactant Phase with Nonionic Surfactants. I. Influence of Phase Equilibria for Extraction Kinetics

Abstract

Abstract The kinetics of absorption of decane into a "surfactant phase" in a oil-water-surfactant system capable of forming microemulsion was estimated by studying the relative changes in phase volumes when appropriate amounts of decane were brought into contact with an aqueous solution of tetraethylene glycol dodecyl ether at 30°C. The extraction rate was strongly retarded by the fact that the mass transfer path included a liquid crystalline phase. Extraction rate was obtained for a direct contact between the hydrocarbon with water and solubilized surfactant at a ratio which on equilibration produces the surfactant phase. This extraction path provides maximum solubilization of oil with minimum surfactant.