This project examines the extraction efficiency of n-butanol, isobutanol, n-pentanol, and n-hexanol from aqueous solutions using supercritical CO2. The effect of varying scCO2 flow rates, initial alcohol concentration, and alcohol chain length on extraction efficiency was determined. Low scCO2 flow rates, high initial alcohol concentration, and longer alcohol chain length represented the most efficient extraction conditions. Overall mass transfer coefficients for each condition were estimated using a two-film mass transfer model. Additionally, the partition coefficient for each condition was calculated. Based on these findings, it was determined that extraction runs of longer chain alcohols at low scCO2 flow rates are more likely to be equilibrium limited.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• DiSpirito, Cameron Kevin
• Stolz, Eric Christopher

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032317-124330

Advisor

• Timko, Michael T.

Year

• 2017

Date created

• 2017-03-23

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright