Removal of lindane from wastewater using liquid-liquid extraction process

Pesticide pollution is a serious problem being faced. Harmful levels of pesticides are found in the water which is used for daily purposes. In the event of such a scenario, this paper presents a working solution for bringing down the Pesticide levels in the water to safe levels by using the method of liquid-liquid extraction. The experimental liquid-liquid equilibrium data on pesticide-water-solvent ternary mixtures at a temperature of 288.15 K are presented here. The pesticide used here is a chlorinated hydrocarbon called lindane found in the water (underground, land), beverages and foods. The solvents used are Petro-ether-Chloroform (1:1), Ethylene di chloride and n-hexane. The equilibrium generation diagram, triangular diagram, tie lines and bimodal curves as well as the distribution coefficient have been determined and reported. The petro-ether-chloroform was found to be the right solvent for the separation of lindane from wastewater because of high selectivity (25.36) and distribution coefficient (4). The extraction process is simulated into ‘C’ language.