Reactive extraction of pyruvic acid using mixed extractants

Abstract

The synergistic effect of mixing of extractants (tri-n-butylphosphate, TBP; tri-n-octylamine, TOA; and Aliquat 336, A336) was investigated in view of recovery of pyruvic acid from fermentation media. Extraction experiments were performed at T = 302K, from aqueous solution of pyruvic acid (0.025–0.2 kmol m−3) using single and mixed extractants in decanol. Parameters such as distribution coefficient, KD; equilibrium constant, Keq; and extraction efficiency, E% were used to analyse the results. Equilibrium constants, Keq, were evaluated to be 15.376 m3 kmol−1, 9.242 m3 kmol−1, and 0.0778 m3 kmol−1 for (TBP + TOA), (A336 + TOA) and (TBP + A336), respectively. No overloading (Z < 0.5) was observed and only a (1:1) complex was proposed. E% were in the order of (TBP + TOA) > (A336 + TOA) > (TBP + A336).