Reactive Extraction of Pyruvic acid Using Mixed Extractants

Synergistic effect of mixing of extractants (tri-n-butylphosphate, TBP, tri-n-octylamine, TOA, and Aliquat 336, A336) was investigated in view of recovery of pyruvic acid from fermentation media. Extraction experiments were performed at T=302K, from aqueous solution of pyruvic acid (0.025-0.2 kmol m−3) using single and mixed extractants in decanol. Parameters such as distribution coefficient, KD, equilibrium constant, Keq, and extraction efficiency, E% were used to analyze the results. Equilibrium constants, Keq were evaluated to be 15.376 m3·kmol−1, 9.242 m3·kmol−1 and 0.0778 m3·kmol−1 for (TBP+TOA), (A336+TOA) and (TBP+A336), respectively. No overloading (Z<0.5) was observed and only (1:1) complex was proposed. E% were in the order of (TBP+TOA) > (A336+TOA) > (TBP+A336).