How Does Extraction Solvent Compare To Distillation? | Explained!

How does solvent extraction work one of the main differences between solvent extraction and solvent distillation is the extraction solvent can purify either a substance that is a liquid or one that is in a solid phase? Solvent distillation purifies a substance that is only in a liquid mixture. There are various types of distillation techniques, from steam distillation to vacuum distillation. The difference among these is the technique used to separate compounds.

Solvent Distillation Recovery

Solvent distillation recovery is based on how the vapor of a boiling mixture will be richer in low boil point components. These include acetones, ketones, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alcohols. When the vapor is cooled and condensed, the liquid condensate becomes a valuable product that can be sold back into the industry.

The higher boiling point portion of the original mixture that does not vaporize remains at the bottom of the recovery still used on-site for the distillation process. One benefit of using this type of distillation process is that the portion remaining in the recovery still is valuable as an alternative fuel source for facilities such as cement kilns. Solvent recycling offers a more environmentally-friendly way to dispose of hazardous substances, and distillation is the most common method of solvent recycling.

Is Extraction Environmentally Friendly?

Environmentally friendly solvents can be used in the extraction process. Water is a classic example. In recent years, there has been a higher emphasis as well on developing and using more green solvents. Through the processing of agricultural crops, these green solvents - also known as solvents are derived.

Solvent extraction also has the advantage of low energy consumption, compared to solvent distillation. However, solvent distillation can provide many environmentally-friendly benefits as well, especially when used as part of a Closed Loop Recycling and Recovery system. Solvent distillation is part of the circular economy because nothing is wasted and marriage is created between solvent distillation and waste to energy treatments.

This closed-loop system allows received waste to be treated and turned back into a reusable product. For this to occur, solid wastes received are thermally treated at 1500 degrees F to generate steam. This steam is then used to power our solvent recovery systems. You can read more about this process in our article, Solvent Distillation And The Energy Recovery Process Explained.

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Wolliam Joined: October 17th, 2019