UOP5 MKII Liquid / Liquid Extraction Unit Didactic Equipment Technical Skills Training Equipment Fluid Mechanics Lab Equipment
DESCRIPTION Liquid / liquid extraction is an important operation in chemical engineering where the separation of one or more of the components from a liquid mixture is required. Traditionally this has been difficult to demonstrate in the laboratory, requiring the use of highly toxic, expensive and / or environmentally damaging solvents. The UOP5-MkII introduces a system using 1-Octanol or Canola oil which are safe, readily available and inexpensive. The UOP5-MkII comprises a glass separation column, 1600mm long and 50mm diameter, packed with glass Raschig rings which provide a large surface area for the extraction process. Four process tanks are included, a feed tank and collection tank for the organic phase and a feed tank and collection tank for the aqueous phase. The aqueous circuit includes a variable speed rotary diaphragm pump with built in rotation counter that allows the flow rate to be determined. Conductivity and temperature sensors in both the feed and return lines allow the amount of acid transferred to the aqueous phase to be determined. The organic circuit uses a variable speed diaphragm pump that is air powered and contains no electrical components allowing safe operation using organic solvents in such as 1-Octanol. The 1-Octanol containing up to 1.5% of Propionic acid is pumped from the organic feed tank to the base of the extraction column. Demineralised water is pumped from the aqueous feed tank to the top of the extraction column. The density difference between the phases causes counter-current flow in opposite directions through the packed column where the acid is removed from the organic component into the aqueous component. The two phases exiting the column are collected in the appropriate return tank. The phase boundary can be changed between the top of the column and the bottom of the column by operating a single valve. Fine adjustments can be made to the location of the lower boundary to compensate for variation in specific gravity of the organic phase. Temperature and conductivity sensors be determined at the inlet and outlet of the column allow the concentration of Propionic acid in the aqueous phase to be determined. From this information the extraction efficiency of the process can be calculated. All the sensor readings and calculated values are available for data logging on a personal computer (not supplied). To obtain accurate results it is important that deionised water is used for the aqueous phase. After use, the organic phase will retain a small amount of acid. If required, the concentration of acid can be established using titration, and then topped up with more acid ready for the next run at the required concentration. Using the recommended 1-Octanol or Canola oil system, this process can be repeated. Alternatively the used organic solvent can be disposed of periodically and replaced. Note: The UOP5-MkII has been specifically designed for use with 1-Octanol. Although 1-Octanol is classed as flammable, it is difficult to ignite and is safe to use providing reasonable handling precautions are taken. A number of design features have been incorporated into the equipment to ensure safe operation. For safe operation, the UOP5-MkII can only be operated at an ambient temperature less than 35ºC. Hence the equipment should be installed in a temperature controlled laboratory if this temperature will be exceeded. This allows for the use of other organic solvents compatible with the materials of construction. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Solvent temperatures: Ambient to 50°C, individually controllable Pump rate: 0-13.5 l/hr Feed rate: 0-3 l/hr Rotation speed: 1 rev/15min (4 revs/hr) Cell compartment: 0.16 l capacity
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