Ionic liquids (ILs) show remarkable performance in enhancing
the
naphthenic acid extraction efficiency and decreasing the extraction
time. However, the ultrasonic-assisted IL-based extraction of naphthenic
acid is merely addressed previously. Therefore, this study investigated
the impact of essential ultrasonic parameters, including amplitude
and time, on naphthenic acid extraction using different ILs, and the
system was optimized for maximum extraction. The IL 1,8-diazobicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene
(DBU) with thiocyanate anions revealed the highest efficiency in extracting
naphthenic acid from a model oil (dodecane) at optimized conditions,
and the experimental liquid–liquid equilibrium data were obtained
at atmospheric pressure for the mixture of dodecane, [DBU], thiocyanate,
and naphthenic acid. In addition, the influence of the chain length
of the cation (hexyl, octyl, or decyl) on the extraction efficiency
was also evaluated by determining the distribution coefficients, and
the conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) study
was carried out at infinite dilution. It was found that [DBU-Dec]
[SCN] gives the best extraction efficiency and has a distribution
coefficient of 9.2707 and a performance index of 49.48. Based on these
values, ILs can be ordered as follows: [DBU-Dec] [SCN] > [DBU-Oct][SCN]
> [DBU-Hex][SCN] in the decreasing order of performance index 49.48,
41.58, and 28.13. Moreover, non-random two liquid and Margules thermodynamic
models were employed to investigate the interaction parameters between
the components. Both models showed excellent agreement with the experimental
results and could successfully be used for ultrasonic-assisted IL
extraction of naphthenic acid.