How Do You Spell SOLVENT EXTRACTION?

Pronunciation: [sˈɒlvənt ɛkstɹˈakʃən] (IPA)

Solvent extraction is a process used to extract a desired substance from a mixture or solution using a solvent. The spelling of this word can be broken down phonetically as /ˈsɒlvənt ɪkˈstrækʃən/. The first syllable, "solvent," is pronounced with the vowel sound "o" as in "hot" (represented by the symbol "ɒ"), while the second syllable, "extraction," is pronounced with the vowel sound "a" as in "cat" (represented by the symbol "æ"). The word is commonly used in industries such as cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.

SOLVENT EXTRACTION Meaning and Definition

1. Solvent extraction is a separation technique used in chemistry and industrial processes to separate and purify substances from mixtures or solutions. It involves the extraction of a specific component, known as the solute, from a liquid or solid mixture using a suitable solvent.

   The extraction process typically begins by selecting a solvent that is capable of dissolving the desired solute while having minimal solubility with other components present in the mixture. The mixture is then subjected to the solvent, where the solute is dissolved. This forms a separate layer or phase, called the extract phase, which contains the solute dissolved in the solvent.

   Solvent extraction is based on the principle that different substances have different solubilities in different solvents. By carefully controlling factors such as temperature, pressure, and solvent concentration, it is possible to selectively extract the desired solute without interfering with other components.

   One of the common applications of solvent extraction is in the recovery of metals from ores or industrial waste. For example, in metal extraction from ores, a suitable solvent is added to the crushed ore material, allowing the metal ions to dissolve into the solvent phase. The solvent containing the metal ions is then separated, purified, and processed further to recover the metal.

   Solvent extraction is widely utilized in various industries such as mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, and environmental analysis. It offers a versatile and efficient method for separating valuable substances from complex mixtures, contributing to advancements in chemical processing and resource recovery.

Etymology of SOLVENT EXTRACTION

The word "solvent extraction" has a rather straightforward etymology.

The term "solvent" comes from the Latin word "solvens", the present participle of "solvere", which means "to loosen" or "to dissolve". "Solvere" is composed of "sol-" (meaning "loose" or "free") and "vere" (meaning "to turn" or "to make").

"Extraction" comes from the Latin word "extrahere", which is a combination of "ex-" (indicating "out") and "trahere" (meaning "to pull" or "to drag").

Therefore, "solvent extraction" essentially means the process of extracting or removing a substance using a solvent, where a solvent is a substance capable of dissolving or loosening other materials.