Effect of operating variables on back-extraction characteristics of succinic acid from organic phase

Tri-n-octylamine (TOA) is an effective extractant for the recovery of succinic acid from fermentation broth. The recovery of succinic acid from organic phase depends on the operating variables such as temperature, pH, volume of aqueous phase, and use of displacer. In thermal recovery of succinic acid, 34% of succinic acid was recovered at 90°C. More than 90% of succinic acid was back-extracted by pH-swing. Efficiency of back-extraction was increased 23% as increasing volume of aqueous phase. Use of oleic acid as a displacer increased efficiency of back-extraction to 76%. Aqueous phase volume and concentration of oleic acid were controlled simultaneously to increase the efficiency of back-extraction and percent recovery of succinic acid reached to 90.