APPLICATION OF LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION IN INDUSTRY

Pesticides

Pesticides are produced in the agrochemical industry, where our liquid-liquid extraction
process has proven application serving two purposes, namely, the treatment of wastewater
and the recovery of the chemical compound for re-use.

Pesticide residues can reach the aquatic environment through direct runoff from agricultural
land, leaching, careless disposal of empty pesticide containers, and cleaning pesticide
application equipment. The concentration of toxic compounds in industrial wastewaters
should be reduced to acceptable levels before they can be released to the receiving water
streams.

The removal of pesticides in a wastewater treatment plant depends on the type of pesticide
and the separation process applied.

Wool Wax Alcohol

Wool wax alcohol can be extracted following the saponification of wool grease. Another
typical application in this field is the purification step in the manufacture of lanolin
(ingredient in cosmetics) from wool grease.
This purification process comprises the removal of free fatty acids present in the estolide by
liquid-liquid extraction using an alcohol, preferably ethanol or methanol, as solvent. Cream
phase, extracted and purified and then lanolin were obtained.