The objective of this article is to highlight the important issues related to selection/design

of solvents for different types of solvent based separation techniques. The properties of
the solvent are closely related to the design/operation of a solvent based separation
technique that is employed to perform a specified separation task. The solvent selection
problem formulation together with methods and tools that can be employed to solve such
problems are highlighted.

SOLVENT BASED SEPARATION

Solvent Selection
Rafiqul Gani, Peter M. Harper & Martin Hostrup
CAPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark,
DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.

The solvent may be a single compound or a mixture of compounds. Solvent based separation
techniques become necessary when separation or removal of a solute(s) from a mixture become
difficult or infeasible by conventional separation techniques.

SOLVENT BASED SEPARATION

Solvent Selection
Rafiqul Gani, Peter M. Harper & Martin Hostrup
CAPEC, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark,
DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.