DISCUSSION

Extraction in chemistry is a separation process consisting in the

separation of substance from a matrix. It may include liquid-liquid
extraction or solid phase extraction. For our experiment, we just perform
the Liquid-liquid extraction. Extraction process also separates components
based upon chemical differences rather than differences in physical
properties. The basic principle extraction involve the contacting of a
solution with another solvent that is immiscible with the original. The two
liquid phases must be either immiscible, or partially miscible.
usually isothermal and isobaric
can be done at low temperature (good for thermally fragile solutes, such
as large organic molecules or biomolecules)
can be very difficult to achieve good contact between poorly miscible
liquids (low stage efficiency)
extracting solvent is usually recycled, often by distillation (expensive
and energy-intensive)
can be single stage (mixer-settler) or multistage (cascade)
The solvent is also soluble with a specific solute contained in the solution.
Two phases are formed after the addition of the solvent, due to the
differences in densities.

In our experiment have two parts, 1st finding the distribution

coefficient,K . 2nd finding the mass transfer coefficient.
We are able to extract propionic acid (organic solvent) with water until
separation occur into extract phase and the raffinate phase is produce
then the distribution coefficient is determine.
For the first part, to finding the distribution coefficient, the ratio
of concentrations of a compound in a mixture of two immiscible phases at

equilibrium is must be determine. These coefficients are measure of the

difference in solubility/density of the compound in these two phases.
K = y/x
We are supplied with 1.0mL ,3.0mL and 5.0mL of volume of propionic acid
and then titrate with 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. Three drops of
phenolphthalein is added to the propionic acid before titration process is
carry out. Then, the mixture were shaken around five minutes. Next, the
mixture was poured into a separating funnel for titration process, two
layers of solution can be observed. The two layers seen are aqueous on
the lower part and organic on the top side. All the changes of the colour
while titration process is observe. Noted that the colourless colour of
phenolphthalein turns to light pink. At this moment, the product of
reaction propionic acid and NaOH with adding phenolphthalein as
indicator completely produce salt and water. Then, the water is used to
further extraction. Basically, phenolphthalein is used as the common
indicator in neutralization reaction. Water is then used as aqueous layer
to propionic acid to perform extraction process. For the other tests results,
it can be seen in the calculation and results section.

The formula;

M 1 V 1=M 2 V 2

Is used to identify the aqueous (y) and organic (x)concentration .Thus, the
distribution coefficient can be determined.

For the second part, we are provided with 0.1 M NaOH and 0.025 M NaOH.
The second part of the experiment was also a titration experiment to

determine the mass transfer coefficient. This time the concentration of

sodium hydroxide (NaOH) used is 0.1 M and 0.025 M. The solutions
titrated in this experiment are taken from the feed, raffinate and extract.
The volume needed to titrate the feed with 0.1 M of NaOH was 3.4 mL. As
for raffinate 0.9 mL and extract 1.2 mL. With the concentration of NaOH at
0.025 M, the volume needed to titrate the feed was 12 mL. And as for the
raffinate and extract, 0.7 mL and 9.5 mL was needed to titrate the NaOH
solution respectively. The calculation of the mass transfer coefficient can
be calculated with all the data obtained. The calculation of the mass
transfer coefficient can be seen in the results and calculation section.

There is some partial list of physical properties is needed in liquid-liquid

extraction separations. It is by no means complete, other properties will
be needed for some of the calculations, and especially those needed to
size the diameter of the column. It is however complete as it relates to the
described theory.

Temperature plays a smaller role in extraction than in other

separation processes. It is only dependent upon the temperatures of
the streams fed into the column. There is not a heating requirement
for the process and DH of mixing is generally insignificant. For these
reasons, extraction can be regarded as an isothermal process.

Activity coefficients are the most important physical property in

the extraction process. The reason for this is that these are used to
determine the miscibility of the solute in both of the solvents
involved. While there are many different equations available to
determine a particular activity some are better than others for our
purposes. When working with liquid-liquid systems the NRTL and the
UNIFAC models are the most accurate in predicting the activities of
the liquids involved. Although better than such predictive models
such as Van Laar or Margules they still fall short of perfection. Once
a predictive model has been plotted on a diagram it will most likely

be necessary to fix the exact equilibrium line experimentally for the

most accurate data. The activity coefficients also determine the
partition factor which will determine whether or not a good
separation is possible.

Viscosity is a property that cannot be overlooked, its presence

appears in two different areas, flooding and choice of equipment.
Flooding is a phenomenon that can occur in extraction just as it can
for other unit operations we will encounter. Viscosity is also valuable
in the determination of what type of system to use for extraction.
Components having a high viscosity cannot be used in spray or
packed columns.

In a scientific research, there are always unknown variables that could

disrupt us from obtaining the best result possible. In terms of making a
reading of the measurements, there may have occurred an error. The error
might have come from parallax error where the observers eyes were not
perpendicular to the reading which caused a slight alteration in the
reading by a few millilitres. The most important part of conducting an
experiment is to understand the contents of the experimental procedure
so that throughout applying the research

RECOMMENDATION
When conducting this experiment, there are several recommendations that
will produce better observation which will not differ much from the theoretical
observations.
Firstly, safety is very important when doing experiment. Thus, we need to wear
laboratory coat, helmet and fully cover shoes to avoid any danger for safety
precaution. Titration must take place in fume chamber and must be stop when
the solution turns to light pink. Before conducting the experiment, we must
ensure that all the apparatus are in good condition and follow all the procedures

in order to get more accurate result. Next, when taking the reading of volume of
sodium hydroxide solution, make sure that eyes is directly perpendicular with the
level of sodium hydroxide solution inside the burette to avoid any parallax error.

REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid%E2%80%93liquid_extraction the
concept of liquid-liquid extraction.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction Equipment, Jack D. Law and Terry A. Todd, Idaho
National Laboratory.
UiTMs chemical engineering lab manual.
http://www.chromacademy.com/lms/sco59/Sample_Preparation_LiquidLiquid_Extraction_Techniques.pdf
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Reference/Lab_Techniques/LiquidLiquid_Extraction