LIQUID –LIQUID EXTRACTION IN SIEVE PLATE COLUMN

Introduction:

AIM: To determine the performance of the sieve plate for transfer of a solute from
organic phase to aqueous phase.

WORKING PRINCIPLE: The basic principle behind extraction involves the

contacting of a solution with another solvent that is immiscible with the original. Feed
phase contains a component, which is to be removed. Addition of a second phase (solvent
phase) which is immiscible with feed phase but dissolves the component can be used for
this purpose. The solvent is chosen so that the solute in the feed has more affinity toward
the added solvent This causes transfer of component (solute) from the feed phase to the
solvent phase. After extraction we obtain the feed and solvent phases with different
proportions of the solute. These are commonly termed as the raffinate (R) and extract (E)
phases respectively. After extraction, the phases can be gravity separated and analysed to
estimate the mass transfer of the solute from the solution to the solvent.

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP:

Figure 1. Extraction Column

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
 An organic phase (say mixture of benzene and acetone) is fed in the feed
reservoir.
 The water reservoir is filled with water.
 The water is allowed to enter the column through a pump and the column is filled
with water.
 The organic mixture kept in the feed reservoir is then pumped into the column.
 It flow up as droplets through the sieves and is collected in the organic phase
collector as the raffinate phase.
 The aqueous phase leaves the sieve plate through the bottom and is collected in
the reservoir for the aqueous phase.
 The runs are repeated for different flow rates of the two phases.
 The aqueous and the organic phase samples are collected and analysed for
determining the concentration of acetone

EQUILIBRIUM DATA: FOR WATER-ACETONE-BENZENE

Y* 0 0.24 0.36 0.45 0.58

X* 0 0.15 0.24 0.33 0.40

Where: X*= Wt. fraction acetone in water phase

Y*= Wt. fraction acetone in organic phase
Results and Discussion: