Extraction of citric acid from aqueous solution by means of a long chain aliphatic quaternary amine/diluent system

Abstract

Studies are reported on the extraction of citric acid by trioctyl methyl ammonium chloride dissolved in 1-propanol, 1-octanol, 1-decanol (active solvents), and their mixtures (1: 1 volume ratio). The aim of this study was to investigate the extraction of citric acid from water by a long-chain aliphatic quaternary amine. Experimental results of batch extraction experiments are calculated and reported as distribution coefficients, loading factors, and extraction efficiency. All measurements were carried out at two different temperatures 298.15 K and 303.15 K. The results of the liquid-liquid equilibrium measurements were correlated by a linear solvation energy relationship model, which takes into account physical interactions. Solvatochromic parameters of the model were obtained from the literature. The remaining parameters were fitted to the experimental results. Experimental results for the liquid-liquid equilibrium are compared to the model.