Role of Reactive Extraction in Removal of Phenol from Wastewater

Abstract

Phenol is one of the most common organic water pollutants as it is highly toxic even at low concentration. Also, its presence in natural water can lead to the formation of substituted compounds during disinfection and oxidation processes. Reactive extraction method is found to be a capable alternate for separation of medium (300–3000 mg/l) to high (3000–6000 mg/l) concentration of phenol. The degree of extraction depends on nature of extractant, diluent, stirring speed, temperature and specific area etc. Phenol form stable complexes with extractant either with hydrogen bond or with other intermolecular forces. With suitable extractant and diluent, main focus has been made on reactive extraction approach for the removal of phenol along with other separation techniques also discussed. At last, present scope of reactive extraction for the separation of these compounds along with its challenges is discussed.