Extraction and Liquid-Membrane Preconcentration of Vincamine from Periwinkle (Vinca Minor L.) Leaves. Process Modelling

An integrated process coupling solid-liquid extraction and liquid-membrane preconcentration of vincamine was studied. The effect of the ratios solid phase/extractant volume and extractant volume/liquid membrane volume on the mass transfer rate and efficiency of vincamine removal were estimated. It was found that the transfer rate and removal efficiency of the alkaloid were higher with smaller quantities of solids and membrane volume. A mathematical description of the overall integrated process was proposed, and the values of the model parameters – mass transfer coefficients – were evaluated. An agreement between the model-predicted results and the experimental data obtained was demonstrated. The four-phase integrated process provides simultaneously almost complete extraction and appreciable enrichment of the extracted product.