Abstract

The liquid-liquid extraction process is one of the most common technique to separate
compounds based on their solution preferences for two different immiscible liquids, usually
water and an organic solvent as in our experiment, a mixture of different phases of materials
(light and heavy phases) that have different physical and chemical properties are to be separated
by liquid-liquid extraction method. Our focus in this experiment is to examine how the change in
flow rate can affect the whole extraction process efficiency taking into account the variables that
are involved in this process including concentration of liquid, temperature and pressure inside the
column. We can see how great impact the change in flow rate can make through the result. For
this experiment, we conduct two experiments which are based on the solubility. First experiment
conducted, we used separators funnel to separate two solutions of different solubility and
densities, and then titrate with NaOH. The values for distribution coefficient by titration 1.592 in
5.0 ml of propionic acid, 2.519 in 3.0 ml propionic acid and 1.757 in 1.0 ml propionic acid. Next
for the second experiment, we used liquid-liquid extraction column to obtain feed, raffinate and
extract samples. The samples were titrated with different of NaOH concentration which are 0.1M
and 0.025M. The experiment was successfully done completely.

Discussion
We conduct this experiment to determine the distribution of coefficient and to determine the
mass transfer coefficient. This experiment is based on the solubility, the solvent is also soluble
with a specific solute contained in the solution. This is the separation of a substance from a
mixture by preferentially dissolving the substance in a suitable solvent.
The first experiment conducted which is to determine the distribution coefficient,
we used titration method from the upper (Y) and bottom (X) layer sample. The values for
distribution coefficient by titration with NaOH are 1.592 in 5.0 ml of propionic acid, 2.519 in 3.0
ml propionic acid and 1.757 in 1.0 ml propionic acid.
For the second experiment, we used liquid-liquid extraction column to obtain feed,
raffinate and extract samples. The samples were titrated with different of NaOH concentration
which are 0.1M and 0.025M.
In the first experiment, from the result if titrated with 0.1 M NaOH, it shows that the
value of distribution coefficient decrease as the volume of propionic acid increase. Same as when
titrated with 0.025 M NaOH, the value of distribution coefficient decrease as the volume of
propionic acid increases.
For the second experiment, it shows that the increase of mass transfer rate as the
concentration decrease. Thus we can summarize that the value of mass transfer rate is varies
when the concentration of NaOH decrease.
During titration we choose phenophtalein as the indicator. Its turn pinkish-purple
colour during the titration, but to get all the same colour might be hard enough to classify. As the
colour is not constant, the value of mass transfer coefficient and distribution coefficient will be
different from the actual. The colour pinkish-purple indicates that the NaOH is at the equilibrium
with the sample solution.

For experiment 2, we can see from the result that the concentration of propionic acid in
raffinate is more than in extract. The concentration of propionic acid should more in extract than
in the raffinate. We can assume that the extraction does not occur efficiently and more time
needed to extract the solution.
The value from this experiment might be different from the actual. This might be
because of several error occur during this experiment. The varies result might caused by the oil
emission and impurities at the beaker, conical flask and burette. We can avoid this error by rinse
and clean the apparatus before start the experiment. Other than that, the most common error that
always occur during the experiment is the position of the eyes while taking reading at the burette.
The eyes should be straight to the scale and must be perpendicular to the meniscus. Moreover to
get the best and accurate result the experiment should be repeated at least 3 times and the error
during the experiment progress can be determined.

Conclusion

Form the experiment 1, we can conclude that the value for distribution can be determine by
titration with NaOH are 1.757 in 1.0 ml of propionic acid, 2.519 in 3.0 ml propionic acid and
1.592 in 5 ml propionic acid.