Separation and Recovery of Indole from Model Coal Tar Fraction by Batch Cocurrent 5 Stages Equilibrium Extraction

The separation of indole from a model mixture comprising four kinds of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds [indole (In), quinoline (Q), iso-quinoline (iQ), quinaldine (Qu)], three kinds of bicyclic aromatic compounds [1-methylnaphthalene (1MN), 2-methylnaphthalene (2MN), dimethylnaphthalene (DMN)], biphenyl (Bp) and phenyl ether (Pe) was examined by batch cocurrent 4 stages equilibrium extraction. The model mixture used as a raw material in this work was prepared according to the components and compositions contained in coal tar fraction (the temperature ranges of fraction: 240∼265 ℃). An aqueous solution of formamide was used as a solvent. Indole was recovered more than 99% through 4 stages of the equilibrium extraction. The range of selectivity of indole in reference to DMN obtained through the 5 stages equilibrium extraction was found to be 63∼118. The process for separation and recovery of indole contained in coal tar was studied by using the experimental results obtained from this work and the previous work.