Removal of acetic acid from wastewater by esterification in the membrane reactor


Unlu D., Hilmioglu N.

MEMBRANE WATER TREATMENT, vol.7, no.2, pp.143-154, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 7 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.12989/mwt.2016.7.2.143
  • Journal Name: MEMBRANE WATER TREATMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.143-154
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Acetic acid can be removed from wastewater by esterification in a membrane reactor. Pervaporation membrane reactor (PVMR) is an alternative process to conventional separation processes. It is an environmentally friendly process. The main advantages of the PVMR are simultaneous water removal and production of an ester economically. In this study, the synthetic wastewater has been used. Esterification reaction of acetic acid with isopropanol has been studied in the presence of tungstosilicic acid hydrate as a catalyst in a batch reactor and in a PVMR. The effects of important operating parameters such as reaction temperature, initial molar ratio of isopropanol to acetic acid and catalyst concentration has been examined. Removal of acetic acid (conversion of acetic acid) was obtained as 85% using a PVMR by removal of water from the reaction mixture.