An examination on system characteristics in emulsion liquid membranes

Abstract

Emulsion liquid membrane was used with the aim of lead removal from storage battery industry wastewaters. The effects of several parameters such as emulsification rate, reactor mixing rate, the change of membrane and internal phase component ratios on the removal efficiency were examined. Sorbitan Monooleate (Span 80) as surfactant, Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as carrierextractant and mineral oil and kerosene as diluents were used to compose emulsion liquid membrane system. Also vegetable oils which were not hazardous and toxic as much as the organic diluents mentioned above were used to see the effect of them on lead removal. Extraction rate was found optimum at 300 rpm, while the emulsification rate was 7940 rpm for 30 minutes treatment. The best removal efficiency for only 15 minutes treatment was found as 92% at an emulsification rate of 12000 rpm. Sunflower oil was found suitable for lead removal from wastewater with a treatment efficiency of 86%. Treatment was accomplished with this system in five minutes and the treatment performance was not altered at the end of 20 minutes.