LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM SUB BITUMINUOUS KALIMANTAN COAL TAR

Coal tar is a primary reaction products of coal pyrolysis that has very complex polynucleous compound and high value but still neglected.

This study is necessary, in order to determine the optimum conditions for extraction of phenolic compounds from coal tar, utilizing liquid-liquid extraction. This study investigates the effects of two kinds of solvents used in the extraction process: Methanol and acetone solutions, the effect of temperature (298, 306 and 313 K) and the effect of mixing (30, 35 and 40 rpm) for the separation of phenolic compounds from coal tar by solvent extraction.

The coal tar has the viscosity = 2.82 cp, the density = 1.05 g/cm3, the calorific value = 10,425.63 cal/g and the molecular weight = 222.67.

The results of GC-MS analysis of the coal tar by pyrolysis process indicate that coal tar contains more than 53 components. The total phenolic compound contained in coal tar is 39.44%. Of those, the largest are 6.06% phenol, 3.45% o-cresol, and 8.06% p-cresol.

Results indicated that phenolic compounds in coal tar were selectivity extracted into the solvent phase. The methanol solution, mass ratio of solvent to feed, Eo/Ro=1, extraction temperature 306 K and mixing 35 rpm were the most optimum conditions for extraction of phenolic compounds from coal tar.