Recovery of copper ions from wastewater using a hollow fiber supported emulsion liquid membrane (HFSELM) was studied with LIX984N as carrier, kerosene as diluents, and sulfuric acid solution as stripping phase. Effects of compositions of feed and emulsion liquid phase, flow rates on both sides of membrane, and hollow fiber module parameters were investigated. The stability of the emulsion liquid phase without surfactant and the effect of buffer in the feed phase on the extraction rate were also evaluated. It is found that the stability of the emulsion phase without surfactant is poor. Higher flow velocity gives shorter residence time for the emulsion liquid phase on the tube side, reducing the effect of particle coalescence on the separation process. The extraction rate increases with the increase of feed phase pH, carrier concentration, hydrogen ion concentration in the stripping phase, and ef- fective hollow fiber area. The phase ratio in the emulsion liquid phase has a negative effect on extraction rate. The flow rates on both sides have little influence on the extraction performance of the HFSELM, while buffer addition in the feed solution improves the extraction efficiency.
The instability mechanisms of the supported liquid membrane using Celgard 2500 membranes as support and tributyl phosphate dissolved in kerosene as carrier for phenol transport was studied by ele.etroehemical impedance spectroscopy. Emulsion formation is demonstrated to be one of the main causes for the instability of supported liquid membrane in the present system. The emulsion-facilitated conditions, such as higher membrane liquid concentration, faster stirring speed, lower salt concentration and higher HLB value, would accelerate the degradation of supported liquid membrane. Other mechanisms including solubility and osmotic pressure work together to increase the membrane liauid loss.
