Felix Adrian R.

Zamoranos

BSPE-4A

Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is an important method to separate constituents (solutes) of homogeneous

liquid solutions. In this separation process, second liquid solvent is added which is immiscible or partially
miscible with the feed and the solutes of the mixture are distributed between the two phases. A
quantitative measure of the how a component will distribute between the two phases is called the
distribution or partition coefficient. Distribution coefficient is the ratio of the concentrations of the solute
in the two different solvents when the system reaches equilibrium. LLE as a method of separation is used
if the distillation process is not feasible, requires more energy or is too complex. LLE is also used if the
material is heat sensitive and non-volatile.

In liquid-liquid extraction, components in the fed material, consisting of liquid phases are separated when
third liquid also known as solvent is added to the process. By adding this new component which is
insoluble in the feed, a new phase is formed. The component which is more important during the
extraction or which is the desired component to be extracted during the process is transferred to extract.
The remaining liquid from the feed which is separable goes to raffinate.

The selection of solvent is one of the important issues. During the process, two liquid phases are formed,
and both the components are differently distributed in solvent and extract phases. The difference in phase
compositions makes the mass transfer easy. This distribution of the components in aqueous and organic
phase is governed by the distribution coefficient denoted by K. The distribution coefficient gives a
quantitative measure of how an organic compound will distribute between aqueous and organic phases.
K is the ratio of the solubility of solute dissolved in the organic phase to the solubility of solute dissolved
in aqueous phase. This means higher the value of K, higher the solute will reside in the organic phase. If
the separable components’ boiling points vary, it makes the extraction beneficial. The difference in density
can make extraction easier, meaning; higher the difference in density between the phases the extraction
process is quicker.

The extraction is carried out in two ways of mixing; countercurrent and co-current mixing. The co-current
flow is limited to one stage per extraction, whereas, counter current is controlled as multi stages per unit.
Depending on the density of the solvent to the carrier liquid the counter current extraction can be carried
out on two ways. If the solvent is less dense than carrier liquid, solvent is fed from the bottom. In the mass
transfer section, the solute is carried up to the top of extraction unit and the carrier liquid is removed
from the bottom. The reverse phenomenon happens if the solvent is denser than the carrier liquid. The
solvent is fed from the top of the column and solute is carried down and carrier liquid is extracted from
the top of the extraction unit.