Extract phase

EX(I) Vector (length 20) of last iteration values of component mole fractions in extract phase (I = 1,N). 

The fraction of solute present in the organic phase is, therefore, 0.600. Extraction efficiency is the percentage of solute successfully transferred from its initial phase to the extracting phase. The extraction efficiency is, therefore, 60.0%. 

Furthermore, the extent to which we can effect a separation depends on the distribution ratio of each species in the sample. To separate an analyte from its matrix, its distribution ratio must be significantly greater than that for all other components in the matrix. When the analyte s distribution ratio is similar to that of another species, then a separation becomes impossible. For example, let s assume that an analyte. A, and a matrix interferent, I, have distribution ratios of 5 and 0.5, respectively. In an attempt to separate the analyte from its matrix, a simple liquid-liquid extraction is carried out using equal volumes of sample and a suitable extraction solvent. Following the treatment outlined in Chapter 7, it is easy to show that a single extraction removes approximately 83% of the analyte and 33% of the interferent. Although it is possible to remove 99% of A with three extractions, 70% of I is also removed. In fact, there is no practical combination of number of extractions or volume ratio of sample and extracting phases that produce an acceptable separation of the analyte and interferent by a simple liquid-liquid extraction. 

The problem with a simple extraction is that the separation only occurs in one direction. In a liquid-liquid extraction, for example, we extract a solute from its initial phase into the extracting phase. Consider, again, the separation of an analyte and a matrix interferent with distribution ratios of 5 and 0.5, respectively. A single liquid-liquid extraction transfers 83% of the analyte and 33% of the interferent to the extracting phase (Figure 12.1). If the concentrations of A and I in the sample were identical, then their concentration ratio in the extracting phase after one extraction is... 

Thus, a single extraction improves the separation of the solutes by a factor of 2.5. As shown in Figure 12.1, a second extraction actually leads to a poorer separation. After combining the two portions of the extracting phase, the concentration ratio decreases to... 

Progress of a liquid-liquid extraction using two identical extractions of a sample (initial phase) with fresh portions of the extracting phase. All numbers are fractions of solute in the phases A = analyte, I = interferent. 

A liquid-liquid extraction in which solutes are extracted back and forth between fresh portions of two extracting phases. 

In chromatography, the extracting phase that moves through the system. 

In order to maintain a definite contact area, soHd supports for the solvent membrane can be introduced (85). Those typically consist of hydrophobic polymeric films having pore sizes between 0.02 and 1 p.m. Figure 9c illustrates a hoUow fiber membrane where the feed solution flows around the fiber, the solvent—extractant phase is supported on the fiber wall, and the strip solution flows within the fiber. Supported membranes can also be used in conventional extraction where the supported phase is continuously fed and removed. This technique is known as dispersion-free solvent extraction (86,87). The level of research interest in membrane extraction is reflected by the fact that the 1990 International Solvent Extraction Conference (20) featured over 50 papers on this area, mainly as appHed to metals extraction. Pilot-scale studies of treatment of metal waste streams by Hquid membrane extraction have been reported (88). The developments in membrane technology have been reviewed (89). Despite the research interest and potential, membranes have yet to be appHed at an industrial production scale (90). 

The purified acid is recovered from the loaded organic stream by contacting with water in another countercurrent extraction step. In place of water, an aqueous alkafl can be used to recover a purified phosphate salt solution. A small portion of the purified acid is typically used in a backwashing operation to contact the loaded organic phase and to improve the purity of the extract phase prior to recovery of the purified acid. Depending on the miscibility of the solvent with the acid, the purified acid and the raffinate may be stripped of residual solvent which is recycled to the extraction loop. The purified acid can be treated for removal of residual organic impurities, stripped of fluoride to low (10 ppm) levels, and concentrated to the desired P2 s Many variations of this basic scheme have been developed to improve the extraction of phosphate and rejection of impurities to the raffinate stream, and numerous patents have been granted on solvent extraction processes. 

The feed to a liquid-liquid extraction process is the solution that contains the components to be separated. The major liquid component in the feed can be referred to as the feed solvent. Minor components in solution are often referred to as solutes. The extraction solvent, or just plain solvent, is the immiscible liquid added to a process for the purpose of extracting a solute or solutes from the feed. The extraction-solvent phase leaving a liquid-liquid contactor is called the extract. The raffinate is the liquid phase left from the feed after being contacted by the second phase. A wash solvent is a hquid added to a liquid-liquid fractionation process to wash or enrich the purity of a solute in the extract phase. 

The weight fraction of solute in the extract phase y divided by the weight fraction of solute in the raffinate phase x at equilibrium is called the partition ratio, K [Eq. (15-1)]. 

For shortcut calculations the partition ratio K in Bancroft [Phys. Rev., 3, 120 (1895)] coordinates using the weight ratio of solute to extraction solvent in the extract phase Y and the weight ratio of solute to feed solvent in the raffinate phase X is preferred [Eq. (15-3)]. 

Y= activity coefficient of solute / = raffinate phase e = extract phase... 

The contribution to the height of a transfer unit overall based on the raffinate-phase compositions is the sum of the contribution from the resistance to mass transfer in the raffinate phase plus the contribution from the resistance to mass transfer in the extract phase divided bythe extraction factor [Eq. (15-31)]. 

Prediction methods attempt to quantify the resistances to mass transfer in terms of the raffinate rate R and the extract rate E, per tower cross-sectional area Af, and the mass-transfer coefficient in the raffinate phase and the extract phase times the interfacial (droplet) mass-transfer area per volume of tower a [Eqs. (15-32) and (15-33)]. 

Solids may be processed continuously or semicontinuously by pumping slurries or by using lock hoppers. An example is the separation of insoluble polymers by floatation with a variable-density SCF. For liquid feeds, multistage separation may be achieved by continuous counter-current extraction, much like conventional liquid-hquid extraction. The final produces may be recovered from the extract phase by a depressurization, a temperature change, or by conventional distillation. 

To extract a desired component A from a homogeneous liquid solution, one can introduce another liquid phase which is insoluble with the one containing A. In theory, component A is present in low concentrations, and hence, we have a system consisting of two mutually insoluble carrier solutions between which the solute A is distributed. The solution rich in A is referred to as the extract phase, E (usually the solvent layer) the treated solution, lean in A, is called the raffinate, R. In practice, there will be some mutual solubility between the two solvents. Following the definitions provided by Henley and Staffin (1963) (see reference Section C), designating two solvents as B and S, the thermodynamic variables for the system are T, P, x g, x r, Xrr (where P is system pressure, T is temperature, and the a s denote mole fractions).. The concentration of solvent S is not considered to be a variable at any given temperature, T, and pressure, P. As such, we note the following ... 

The acid extract phase is separated, diluted with water, and heated to regenerate isobutylene. The isobutylene is then caustic and water washed to remove traces of acid, distillation dried, and rerun. The unreacted C4 stream, containing normal butenes, is also caustic washed before further processing. 

Transition metal catalysis in liquid/liquid biphasic systems principally requires sufficient solubility and immobilization of the catalysts in the IL phase relative to the extraction phase. Solubilization of metal ions in ILs can be separated into processes, involving the dissolution of simple metal salts (often through coordination with anions from the ionic liquid) and the dissolution of metal coordination complexes, in which the metal coordination sphere remains intact. 

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