Measurement and Correlation of Liquid–Liquid Equilibrium Data for Separating Butyl Acetate from n-Octane Using Various Extractants

In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to gather fundamental data for the solvent extraction and separation of n-octane and butyl acetate. Various extractants, including furfural, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-formylmorpholine, ethylene glycol, and N-methylpyrrolidone, were employed to examine the extraction and separation of their mixtures. Measurements were conducted at constant pressure and temperature of 101.3 kPa and 298.2 K, respectively. The distribution constant, separation factor, and performance index were calculated from the obtained liquid–liquid equilibrium data, offering a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of the extractants in extracting and separating n-octane and butyl acetate. The consistency of the LLE data was validated by using the Hand and Othmer–Tobias equations. Furthermore, the experimental data were successfully correlated using the NRTL and UNIQUAC thermodynamic models. The root-mean-square deviation was used to assess the difference between the calculated results and the experimental data. In addition, the obtained binary interaction parameters were validated using GMcal_TieLinesLL software developed by Marcilla and his collaborators. Our results demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the experimental data and correlative models, offering valuable insights that will facilitate the future development of solvent extraction separation processes involving n-octane and butyl acetate.