| 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. An amine and CO 2 are introduced to the solution to form the insoluble carbonate salt and a complex between the acid and the amine. The acid/amine complex is thermally dissociated, or “cracked”, in the presence of a water immiscible solvent in which the amine is selectively soluble and in which the acid is not appreciably soluble. The organic acid may then be recovered from the water by any suitable means such as distillation, reactive distillation, extraction, or reactive extraction. |