REACTIVE EXTRACTION OF LACTIC-ACID WITH TRICCTYLAMINE METHYLENE CHLORIDE/N-HEXANE/

The trioctylamine (TOA)/methylene chloride (MC)/n-hexane system was us ed as the extraction agent for the extraction of lactic acid. Curves o f equilibrium and hydration were obtained at various temperatures and concentrations of TOA. A modified mass action model was proposed to in terpret the equilibrium and the hydration curves. The reaction mechani sm and the corresponding parameters which best represent the equilibri um data were estimated, and the concentration of water in the organic phase was predicted by inserting the parameters into the simple mathem atical equation of the modified model. The concentration of MC and the change of temperature were important factors for the extraction and t he stripping process. The stripping was performed by a simple distilla tion which was a combination of temperature-swing regeneration and dil uent-swing regeneration. The type of inactive diluent has no influence on the stripping. The stripping efficiencies were about 70%.