Recovery of organic acids

Abstract

A method is disclosed for the recovery of an organic acid from a dilute salt solution in which the cation of the salt forms an insoluble carbonate salt. A tertiary amine and CO 2 are introduced to the solution to form the insoluble carbonate salt and a complex between the acid and an amine. A water immiscible solvent, such as an alcohol, is added to extract the acid/amine complex from the dilute salt solution to a reaction phase. The reaction phase is continuously dried and a product between the acid and the solvent, such as an ester, is formed.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A composition comprising an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase, wherein the non-aqueous phase comprises:
 a. a complex between an organic acid and a tertiary amine; and   b. normal alcohol.   
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the water immiscible solvent is an alcohol. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the water immiscible solvent is an alcohol selected from the group consisting of n-octanol, n-hexanol, n-pentanol, and n-butanol. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the tertiary amine is tributylamine or dicyclohexyl methyl amine. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the complex is tributylammonium acetate. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition further comprises an aqueous phase. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the composition further comprises an insoluble carbonate salt. 
     
     
         42 . A composition comprising:
 a. an ester of an organic acid and a water immiscible solvent; and,   b. a tertiary amine.   
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the water immiscible solvent is an alcohol. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the water immiscible solvent is an alcohol selected from the group consisting of n-octanol, n-hexanol, n-pentanol, and n-butanol. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the tertiary amine is tributylamine or dicyclohexyl methyl amine. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the composition is substantially anhydrous.