Extraction of phosphoric acid from various aqueous solutions using tributyl phosphate (TBP)

Solvent extraction of phosphoric acid from various aqueous solutions has been investigated using tributyl phosphate in kerosene as the extractant. The effect of the nature of the diluent on the extraction of phosphoric acid with TBP has been studied and correlated with the dielectric constant. The extraction equilibrium curve showed that an overall extraction yield of more than 80 % could be reached from aqueous solutions containing 0.8M of sulfuric acid. Pure phosphoric acid was stripped from the loaded organic phase by counter current stripping with distilled water. The produced acid was post treated to eliminate the co-extracted acids and characterized.