Commercial Dephenolization of
Ammoniacal Liquors With
Centrifugal Extractors
Walter E. Carbone, Project Manager
Ralph N. Hall, Development Engineer
Wilputte Coke Oven Division
New York, N. Y.
and
Herbert R. Kaiser, Vice-President
G. Clyde Bazell, Chemical Engineer
Podbielniak, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
The elimination of phenol from coke plant ammonia liquor has
oeen a problem of major concern to the steel industry for many years,
and in this connection the Wilputte Coke Oven Division and Semet-
Solvay Division of Allied Chemical Corporation, have devoted considerable effort over a period covering more than 25 years towards the
development and design of a phenol removal or recovery plant which
will result in an installation having the features of high efficiency,
operating charges as low as possible, and lowest investment. The type
process which appeared to have possibilities of attaining these advantages was the solvent extraction process, whereby raw ammonia liquor
is contacted counter-currently with a solvent, such as light oil, readily
available in the coke plant. The solvent removes the phenol, and in
turn is treated with a caustic soda solution for extraction of phenol as
sodium carbolate, and thence the solvent is recycled. Various types of
equipment have been used in this process, progressing from static decanters for separation of premixed liquor and solvent to static contacting
chambers or towers equipped with trays, packing, or other contacting
media.
During the past 15 years, the Podbielniak Corporation has developed a so-called centrifugal extractor having multi-stages for liquid-
liquid extractions in another industry. In 1953, this machine was
brought to the attention of Wilputte's engineering and research departments, and from previous laboratory scale tests conducted by Podbielniak
this new machine appeared to have the potential of high phenol removal
efficiency. In view of this, Wilputte, aided by the previous experience
gained by Podbielniak, proceeded with an intensive research program
87