Beneficiation of Solutes from Solvents: A Case of Oxalic Acid,Succinic Acid and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in CarbonTetrachloride

Abstract

Background: This paper reports the beneficiation of Oxalic acid, Succinic acid and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solutes from Carbon tetrachloride, Diethyl ether and n-Hexane solvents respectively. These solutes are the extracts obtained from the recovery from the binary immiscible solvents namely: Carbon tetrachloride-Water, Diethyl ether-Water and n-Hexane-Water that were used in accordance with the partition coefficient technique as reported by Onyeocha et. al. This technique was employed in the leaching of the specific solute from the contaminants. As described by Onyeocha et. al., the process was brought about by the diffusion equilibrium attained by the solute in the system i.e. the binary immiscible solvent(s) at a constant temperature and pressure. The spontaneous diffusion is the effect of the partition coefficient developed due to the different degrees of solubilities of the solute in the binary immiscible solvent. The partition coefficient technique is used for extraction, purification and concentration of solutes. Beneficiation is considered as the final process that brings the product (solute) to its most viable state.

Methods: The beneficiation methods that are proposed are physical methods. The properties of the solutes: Oxalic acid, Succinic acid and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and the properties of the solvents: Carbon tetrachloride, Diethyl ether, n-Hexane and Water are studied. The components of a mixture retain the individual physical properties that are associated with them. From the remarkable physical property of the solute and that of the solvent in which the solute is extracted, the best beneficiation method is proposed for the respective solute.

Results: The comparisons of the physical properties of the solutes and the solvents were made. From the analysis, Oxalic acid (anhydrous) has the melting point of 189 – 191°C and 101.5°C for the dihydrate while Carbon tetrachloride has freezing point of −22.92°C. Succinic acid has the melting point of 184–190°C while Carbon tetrachloride has freezing point of −22.92°C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid has melting point of 237°C while Carbon tetrachloride has freezing point of −22.92°C. Also, Succinic acid has melting point of 184 –190°C while Diethyl ether has melting point of −116.3°C and n-Hexane with the melting point of −96 to −94°C.

Conclusion: From the values of the freezing point and melting point of the solutes and the solvents, freezing, melting and filtration processes are recommended for the beneficiation of the listed solutes.