Separation of toluene from alkanes using 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate ionic liquid at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure

In this paper, the separation of toluene from aliphatic hydrocarbons (heptane, or octane, or nonane) was analyzed by solvent extraction with 1-ethyl-3-methylpyridinium ethylsulfate ionic liquid, [EMpy][ESO4]. Liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for the ternary systems {heptane (1) + toluene (2) + [EMpy][ESO4] (3)}, {octane (1) + toluene (2) + [EMpy][ESO4] (3)}, and {nonane (1) + toluene (2) + [EMpy][ESO4] (3)} were obtained by measurements at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The selectivity, % removal of aromatic, and solute distribution ratio, obtained from experimental equilibrium results, were used to determine the ability of [EMpy][ESO4] as a solvent. The degree of consistency of the experimental LLE values was ascertained using the Othmer-Tobias and Hand equations. The experimental results for the ternary systems were correlated with the NRTL model. Finally, the results obtained were compared with other ionic liquids and other solvents.