Removal of phenols from aqueous solutions with solvating extractants

The removal of selected phenols (phenol, 4-methoxyphenol, 4-fluorophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol) from aqueous streams by liquid-liquid extraction is studied. Butylene and propylene carbonate – are used as green extractants. They permit to remove almost 100% of the examined phenols from feed solutions of phenol concentration about 20 g/dm3. Additionally, stripping of phenols from loaded organic phases is carried out with NaOH. The results of extraction parameters for alkylene carbonates (extraction efficency and distribution ratio) are compared with commercial solvating extractant – Cyanex 923.