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DOWNSTREAM PROCESS:
LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION
The selection of solvent is one of the important issues. During the process, two liquid
phases are formed and both the components are differently distributed in solvent and
extract phases. The difference in phase compositions makes the mass transfer easy.
This distribution of the components in aqueous and organic phase is governed by
the distribution coefficient denoted by K. The distribution coefficient gives a
quantitative measure of how an organic compound will distribute between aqueous
and organic phases. K is the ratio of the solubility of solute dissolved in the organic
phase to the solubility of solute dissolved in aqueous phase. This means higher the
value of K, higher the solute will reside in the organic phase. If the separable
components’ boiling points vary, it makes the extraction beneficial. The difference in
density can make extraction easier, meaning; higher the difference in density
between the phases the extraction process is quicker. [2]
Fig 2: Countercurrent extraction unit set-up in two different ways (source: CEP
magazine)
3. APPLICATIONS IN BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY
LLE has several applications in bioprocess technology and few of them are
explained in more detail in this chapter.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of this process include its effectiveness towards compounds with
high boiling points even in low concentrations, azeotropic mixtures (mixtures with
points that when boiled, have the same composition in vapor than initially, thus
cannot be altered by simple distillation) and with heat sensitive compounds like large
organic molecules. Disadvantages are the large consumption of possibly toxic
solvent, which also when recycled in the system requires costly equipment. Thus,
right selection of the solvent in achieving a sustainable process is required and
creates challenges to the large-scale industry implementation of the process. [2]
If the aim of the process is to achieve a pure extract, the LLE as a downstream
process is most often only the initial step. Further purification, such as distillation,
crystallization or second extraction might be needed. This can heavily influence the
cost and complicity of the process design and has to be taken into consideration
when planning an overall efficient process. [10]
REFERENCES