[Donaldson Tan]

It isn't a chemical reaction. It is a physical process.

NaCl, being ionic, bonds with the water molecules, thus competing with ethylene glycerol (EG) for H-bonding sites for water.  Moreover, NaCl may form H bonds with EG, thus making EG less readily to form H bonds with water.

If no H bonding sites are available, then EG should seperate from the mixture.

I suggest NaCl because it is chemically inert, unless heavy metal ions are present.

You ought to experiment this in the lab before actually carrying it out even on a pilot plant scale.

Moreover, the centrifugation technique suggested by Eugenedakin must be carried out in an open flow process. It will not work in a batch configuration because EG will remix with water as soon as the centrifugal force is no longer applied.

[technologist]

Thanks Geodome

[eugenedakin]

Hi Geodome,

Great suggestions !!  Well done.

Sorry for the delayed response, I just arrived back in my home province from business.

Technologist, Geodome is quite right.  Ensure that you spend some time trying different methods of separation in the laboratory before designing the process.  This will help you feel comfortable with the results.

Sincerely,

Eugene