Separation and Recovery of Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids by Emulsion Liquid Membranes

Abstract Emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) extraction of low molecular weight organic acids resulting from whey fermentations was investigated. Rates of removal of lactic, acetic, propionic, and acrylic acids decreased as pH and concentration were increased. An ELM process for selective removal of acrylic acid from acrylic acid-propionic acid mixtures was developed through incorporation of a co-solvent (cyclohexanone) in the membrane phase of the emulsion. Degree of removal for each acid and, hence, selectivity among the acids appears to be determined by the water-membrane phase partition coefficient.