The reactive extraction method was used to separate lactic acid from its aq
ueous solutions. In this method, the amine in the solvent phase reacts with
the lactic acid in the aqueous phase, resulting in the extraction of acid
into the organic phase. In this study, Alamine 336 diluted with oleyl alcoh
ol was used as the solvent. The effects of initial lactic acid concentratio
n, pH, temperature. extraction time, stirring rate, the amount of Alamine 3
36 in oleyl alcohol and the ratio of organic phase volume to aqueous phase
volume, V-org/V-aq, on the distribution coefficient of the lactic acid. K-D
, were investigated. K-D increased with increasing stirring rate, extractio
n time and amount of Alamine 336 and V-org/V-aq, and decreased with increas
ing temperature and initial lactic acid concentration. Optimum conditions f
or reactive extraction of the lactic acid were determined by using the Line
ar Box-Wilson experimental design method. The optimum conditions were found
as follows: initial lactic acid concentration: 21 g/L. pH: 2.0, temperatur
e: 32 degreesC, stirring rate: 120 rpm, amount of Alamine 336 in oleyl alco
hol: 41% and V-org/V-aq :1/1.