Reactive extraction of acetic acid by using tri-butyl-phosphate with different diluents

Acetic acid is a valuable chemical component that can be produced by processing waste streams using biotechnology. It is a significant carboxylic acid largely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, food and other industries. The production of organic acids from waste renewable resources using fermentation is a very promising technology but recovery of these dilute acids is a huge challenge. The present work is based on the reversible complexation, extraction equilibria of the system (aqueous solution + extractant/diluents) which were measured at T=298K using various concentration of acetic acid (0.2 mol.kg(-1) to 1 mol.kg(-1)) and the extractant tri-n-butyl phosphate (10-40% by volume) in different diluents (Jatropha oil, Karanja oil and used cooking oil). Furthermore, single pure solvents (not containing extractant) and solvents with extractant were used for the physical and chemical extractions. The results of extraction experiments were calculated and reported as distribution coefficient (KD), extraction efficiency (E%) and loading ratio (LR). The extraction of acetic acid from aqueous solutions using tri-n-butyl phosphate with methyl ester of Jatropha oil, Karanja oil and used cooking oil, respectively, resulted in a degree of extraction which reported as the highest reactive extraction efficiency of acetic acid is 73.22% by using 40% tri-n-butyl phosphate by volume and methyl ester of Jatropha oil.