Experimental and theoretical study of quaternary (liquid plus liquid) equilibria for mixtures of (methanol or water plus ethanol plus toluene plus n-decane)

Experimental (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data were obtained for the extraction of toluene from n-decane by mixed-solvents (ethanol + water) and (ethanol + methanol) at three temperatures (298.15, 303.15, and 313.15) K and ambient pressure. The measured tie-line data for two quaternary mixtures of {(ethanol + water) + toluene + n-decane} and {(ethanol + methanol) + toluene + n-decane} are presented. The experimental quaternary (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data have been correlated using the NRTL activity coefficient model to obtain the binary interaction parameters of these components. The NRTL models predict the equilibrium compositions of the quaternary mixtures with small deviations. The partition coefficients and the selectivity factor of the mixed-solvents used were calculated and presented. From our experimental and calculated results, we conclude that for the extraction of toluene from n-decane mixtures the mixed-solvent (ethanol + methanol) has a higher selectivity factor than the other mixed-solvent at the three temperatures studied. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.