摘要 |
The invention provides a process for the recovery of a water soluble carboxylic or mineral acid having a pKa higher than 2 from an aqueous feed solution containing the acid or a salt thereof, comprising extracting the acid with a water-immiscible extractant composition, the composition comprising: (a) at least one secondary or tertiary alkyl amine, in which the aggregate number of carbon atoms is at least 20, as a primary extractant; and (b) a sterically hindered, polar, organic compound having at least 5 carbon atoms, a basicity weaker than that of the primary extractant, and temperature-sensitive, extraction-modifying properties; separating the acid containing the extractant and subjecting it to a stripping operation at a temperature of at least 20 .degree.C higher than the temperature at which the extraction is carried out, wherein the sterically hindered, polar, organic compound both modifies the extracting power of the primary extractant composition and facilitates the temperature-sensitive stripping operation. The invention also provides an extractant composition for use in such a process.
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