SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF PHENOL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION IN A HOLLOW FIBER DEVICE

The extraction of phenol from aqueous solution was studied in a novel type of device-a hollow fiber "shell and tube bundle" unit. The need for coalescence and settling of the two phases involved is avoided with this type of contacting scheme. Various solvents (n-hexanol, n-octanol, ii-decanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and n-butyl acetate) were used on the shell-side; the phenol solution was pumped through the tube-side. In other runs, powdered activated carbon was packed into the shell-side. The effects of solvent type, powdered carbon use, feed stream flow rate, and the addition of acid or base to the feed were studied. A successful mathematical model for the system was developed.