Solventprozesses

Solvent processes, also known as solvent extraction or liquid-liquid extraction, are a group of separation techniques used to isolate specific compounds from a mixture. These processes rely on the principle that different substances dissolve to varying degrees in different solvents. Typically, a mixture is brought into contact with an immiscible solvent in which the desired component has a higher solubility. The mixture is then agitated to facilitate the transfer of the target substance from the original phase to the new solvent phase. After separation of the two immiscible liquid phases, the desired compound is recovered from the solvent.

Common applications of solvent processes include the purification of pharmaceuticals, the extraction of valuable metals from ores, the separation of biochemicals, and the removal of pollutants from wastewater. The choice of solvent is critical and depends on factors such as the solubility of the target substance, the presence of other components, safety considerations, cost, and environmental impact. Solvents can be organic compounds like hexane, toluene, or alcohols, or inorganic liquids such as water. The efficiency of a solvent process can be enhanced through multiple extraction stages, using countercurrent flow, or employing specialized equipment like mixer-settlers or extraction columns. These techniques are fundamental in chemical engineering and laboratory practice for achieving high purity and yields of desired materials.