COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF SOLVENTS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF AROMATICS FROM NAPHTHA

An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the efficien cies of different selective solvents used for the extraction of aromat ic hydrocarbons from naphtha (boiling range IBP-200 degrees C) distill ed from Saudi Arabian light crude oil The solvents used were 3-methoxy propionitrile, ethylene glycol, dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane, phenol, and nitrobenzene. The parameters studied were operating temperature (r ange 20 degrees-125 degrees C) solvent-to-oil ratio (range 1:1-3:1), s electivity and solvent capacity. The results indicate that sulfolane e xhibits excellent extraction properties in comparison with other solve nts. In addition, sulfolane has the advantage of having good solvent p roperties such as high density, low heat capacity and appropriate boil ing point, which helps simplify separation of the solvent from extract . Sulfolane is also commercially feasible as a solvent for aromatic ex traction.