Aqueous Surfactant Two-Phase Systems for the Continuous Countercurrent Cloud Point Extraction

作者:Ingram Thomas*; Storm Sandra; Glembin Philipp; Bendt Stephan; Huber Desiree; Mehling Tanja; Smirnova Irina
来源:Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 2012, 84(6): 840-848.
DOI:10.1002/cite.201100256

摘要

Aqueous nonionic surfactant solutions split into two phases if the temperature is increased beyond a certain temperature, the so-called cloud point temperature. Presently many different types of nonionic surfactants are produced commercially, out of these numerous have been considered as potential solvent for the cloud point extraction. In this work the crucial thermophysical properties of nonionic surfactants are investigated to determine the potential of surfactant systems for extraction processes. Phase equilibria of the binary system Triton?X-114/water and the ternary system Triton?X-114/water/phenol were measured. Based on these data the cloud point extraction was implemented in a continuous stirred extraction column. It was found, that increasing temperature within the column reduces the loss of surfactant and leads to an increasing enrichment factor. This work demonstrates that surfactant/water systems represent a suitable alternative to conventional solvents and can effectively be processed in continuous extraction columns.

  • 出版日期2012-6