Seeking a method for separating mixed oil from catalyst powder
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How can the mixture of straight-chain n-alkanes ranging from C10 to C40 and branched isoalkanes (which appears as a transparent, viscous liquid; at lower room temperatures it becomes a muddy solid) be separated from the solid powder contained within it (a catalyst powder)? It cannot be heated to melt; otherwise, it will oxidize violently to form a black substance at temperatures above 100°C. Solvent extraction is required, but it’s not clear which solvent would be suitable The boiling point of this mixture is likely above 280°C!
That’s nonsense, right? How can water possibly work? :)
Generally, water is indeed used; most catalyst carriers have a much higher hydrophilicity than lipophilicity, which causes them to accumulate spontaneously in the aqueous phase.