Removal of phenol from dilute solutions by predispersed solvent extraction

Predispersed solvent extraction (PDSE) is a new method for separating solut es from aqueous solution by solvent extraction and one which has shown prom ise for extraction from extremely dilute solution very efficient and very q uick. The use of colloidal liquid aphrons in predispersed solvent extractio n may ameliorate the problems such as emulsion formation, reduction of inte rfacial mass transfer and low interfacial mass transfer areas in solvent ex traction process. In present paper, colloidal liquid aphrons are successful ly generated using kerosene as a solvent, tributyl phosphate(TBP) as an ext ractant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulphate(SDBS) as surfactant in aqueous pha se and Tween-80 in oil phase. Extraction of phenol from dilute solution was studied by using colloidal liquid aphrons and colloidal gas aphrons in a s emi-batch extraction column. It has been found that the PDSE process is mor e suitable for extraction of dilute solutions. It has also been discovered that the PDSE process has a great advantage over traditional single-stage e xtraction process.