Removal of acrylic acid from aqueous solution utilizing tri-n-octyl amine or tributyl-phosphate in edible oils through reactive extraction

Abstract

The separation of acrylic acid from its aqueous solutions with edible oils by reactive extraction method was investigated. Walnut oil, hazelnut oil, sesame oil, and safflower oil were used to prepare a relatively environmentally friendly and low-toxic organic phase. Tributyl phosphate (TBP) and tri-n-octyl amine (TOA) were chosen as extractants. In addition, a modifier (octanol, decanol, octyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, 2-octanone, dimethyl phthalate) was added to the organic phase, and its effect on the extraction was investigated. The temperature effect (25, 45, and 65 °C), one of the parameters affecting the extraction process, was investigated. The results were presented as distribution coefficient (D), extraction efficiency (E%), and loading factor (Z). In the physical extraction experiments performed with edible oils, the extraction efficiency ranged between 14 and 21%, while it reached around 70% with TBP and above 90% with TOA in the reactive extraction. It was observed that the highest efficiency among the oils was obtained with safflower oil (71.88% for TBP and 92.68 % for TOA) for both extractants used. Moreover, using octanol as a modifier in the organic phase had a positive effect on the removal of acrylic acid from aqueous media by reactive extraction.