Reactive Extraction of Acetic Acid from Aqueous Sodium Acetate Waste

Abstract

Recovery of acetic acid from aqueous sodium acetate using traditional methods is cost and energy intensive. Current work emphasis on exploring synergetic reactive extraction methodology to extract acetic acid from the aqueous sodium acetate waste. Physical extraction experiments demonstrated methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and xylene to be effective diluent among MIBK, xylene, octanol, and toluene. Further extraction efficiency was enhanced by adding Aliquat 336 as an extractant and MIBK and xylene diluents in independent runs. Parameters such as initial acid concentration in aqueous phase, Aliquat 336 concentration in organic phase and temperature of the reaction mixture, were investigated to optimise operating conditions. In all conditions MIBK yielded better results, for high acid concentration in aqueous phase (0.5 mol/lit), 60% extraction efficiency was observed in physical extraction experiments. Adding Aliquat 336 as an extractant (0.729 mol/lit) to the mixture in identical experimental conditions 73% extraction efficiency was achieved. Average extraction improved by 10% for 0.2-0.5 mol/lit of initial acid concentration using reactive extraction technology. Such a recovery from aqueous sodium acetate using reactive extraction is rarely reported and hence  presented in this paper.