Method and apparatus for recovering carboxlic acids from delute solutions

摘要

A method for recovering carboxylic acids from a dilute aqueous solution thereof having a concentration below about ten percent (10%) by weight, which includes passing the dilute acid solution through a reverse osmosis separator, thereby producing a permeate substantially free of acid and a retentate having an acid concentration above about ten percent (10%) by weight. The retentate is contacted with a liquid extractant for acids to produce an acid-rich extractate and an acid-free raffinate. The acid is then recovered from the acid-rich extractate.