Removal of Traces of Pentachlorophenol from Aqueous Acidic Solutions by Solvent Extraction and Solvent Sublation

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Abstract
The removal of pentachlorophenol (a hydrophobic compound of low vapor pressure) from aqueous acidic solutions was studied using solvent sublation (a surface chemical technique) and solvent extraction. Both methods gave appreciable removals in highly acidic solutions (pH = 2.5), but solvent sublation had the added advantage of minimal phase contact of the organic solvent with water and increased removals under certain circumstances. Solvent sublation was also found to be more effective than conventional fine bubble aeration. The removal of pentachlorophenol (PCP) was considerably smaller at pH's near the pKa of PCP. PCP removal by solvent sublation was enhanced by increasing ionic strength and also by the presence of small amounts of an ionic surfactant in the aqueous phase. The technique of solvent sublation was tried on an actual wastewater sample from a wood preserving industry. pH adjustment, removal of suspended solids, addition of sodium chloride, and subsequent solvent sublation into mineral oil reduced the PCP concentration in the aqueous waste by 99.7%.