Reactive Extraction of Propionic Acid Using Tri-N-butyl Phosphate in Petroleum Ether: Equilibrium Study

Abstract

In present paper, the recovery of propionic acid from aqueous phase by reactive extraction was studied using tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in petroleum ether.Extraction using pure diluent was found to be poor.Using the mixture of extractant-diluent the extraction was significantly improved.Results were presented in terms of distribution coefficient, equilibrium complexation constant, loading ratio and extraction efficiency.Propionic acid and TBP were found to form (g = 1:1) complex with no overloading.