Vätskevätskeutvinning

Vätskevätskeutvinning, also known as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), is a separation process used to isolate compounds that have different solubilities in two immiscible liquids. Typically, one liquid is an aqueous phase and the other is an organic solvent. The target compound is preferentially soluble in one of the phases, allowing it to be transferred from the initial mixture into the extraction solvent.

The process usually involves mixing the two immiscible liquid phases thoroughly. This allows for maximum contact between the phases, facilitating the diffusion of the desired compound from one phase to the other based on its partition coefficient. After sufficient mixing, the two phases are allowed to separate, usually by gravity, due to their different densities. The phase containing the enriched concentration of the target compound is then collected.

Vätskevätskeutvinning is a widely used technique in various fields, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and environmental analysis. It is employed for purifying chemical products, isolating active ingredients from natural sources, and removing pollutants from water. The efficiency of the separation depends on factors such as the difference in solubility of the compound in the two solvents, the ratio of the volumes of the two phases, and the degree of mixing. Multiple extraction steps may be performed to achieve a higher degree of separation.