The Secret Behind Solvent Extraction Technique
Solvent extraction เครื่องสกัดสมุนไพร is a technique widely employed in a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals, mining, and environmental remediation. As the name suggests, this technique enables compounds to be extracted from the original solution using a solvent. The secrets hidden within solvent extraction are not merely confined to effectively extracting desired compounds, however, but extend to the refinement of substances and for the recovery of valuable substances. In this series of blog posts we will be uncovering the many hidden depths of solvent extraction, from its various application scenarios to its processes, the advantages thereof and even environmental considerations arising from the process.
What is Solvent Extraction?
Solvent extraction เครื่องสกัดสารสมุนไพร, or liquid-liquid extraction, is a separation method that employs a solvent to extract compounds based on their relative solubilities in two immiscible liquids. By allowing the separation of mass transfer restriction within these two liquids, solvent extraction enables them to reach equilibrium. In the pharmaceutical industry, in particular, where rigorous testing is carried out to produce high-purity drugs, this method is employed for the extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from natural sources, e.g. plants or herbs. Owing to the method of purification, the desired compound can be separated with a high purity. Extraction in the Mining and Metallurgy Sector
Solvent extraction is also a key application of the process in the mining of metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt from aqueous solutions or in the refining of acid solutions containing these metals as by-products, or in metal recycling. Metals which are more valuable than precious metals, or which are sought after but cannot be obtained by smelting or other technologies, can be selectively separated and purified using solvents, which enable the production of high-purity metal products. This is another method contributing to the efficiency and risk reduction of metal recovery, and has led to the development of hydrometallurgy. The State-of-The-Art
Technology of Solvent Extraction
The advantage of solvent extraction, then, is that since it is a selective procedure it is possible to separate target compounds with a high efficiency and selectivity. On the other hand, unlike tradition methods, solvent extraction enables the separation and refining process to be more reliable, and so enables high yields and purities to be achieved. Solvent extraction is one of the state-of-the-art technologies, in that it is fascinating to be able to see under the microscope the viscid mass transfer at the interfaces between different solvents. The Process of Solvent Extraction
There are a variety of solvents to be used but a good solvent must meet several requirements including: a high extraction capacity; the compound to be extracted must be easily separable; the solvent must be inexpensive and readily available; and the solvent must be safe to use and easy to handle. Therefore, the selection of solvent is closely related to the types of compounds. For separating organic compounds, hexane or diethyl ether is used, whereas for inorganic compounds water or a suitable acid is employed. A typical process of solvent extraction is such that a solution and a solvent are mixed and stirred, in which case compounds with high interfacial energy will dissolve more easily into the solvent. Finally, the mixture is left to separate for other than electrolyte-solutions, when the two liquids will separate and compounds that dissolved easily in water will separate towards the aqueous layer, whereas compounds which did not will float into the solvent layer.
Environmental Considerations
The solvent extraction process is a useful technique and thanks to it we are able to utilize a plethora of things that we might otherwise have had no access to. However, it is not without its drawbacks. The usage of solvents and the effect these solvents carry is known to have some consequence on the natural environment and to human health. Instead, the majority of industries are now trying to introduce green solvents which are harmless to humans and our environment. However, since solvent extraction is imperative, its remaining concern will be focused on solvent recovery and how to treat the waste generated.
Conclusions
As we have seen, solvent extraction is a valuable technique that plays an important role in an array of fields. From making drugs to refining nonferrous metals, the solvent extraction ability is unknown to many people. In the pharmaceutical field, solvent extraction is used to extract important substances from plants and make them into drugs. What is more, solvent extraction is also used in the manufacturing and development of drugs. Moreover, in the mining and metallurgy field, the solvent extraction is applied in refining nonferrous metals. These metals are more valuable than precious metals or those that have difficulty in being processed. In order to separate and refine these metals, the solvents are applied in the work. It is possible to make pure metals by this method. This can be contributed to the efficiency and risk reduction of metal recovery. Solvent extraction is extremely popular in specific fields and has a bright future thanks to its potential.