Transport of Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) on hollow fibers-type solid supported liquid membranes

Abstract

This study reports on the transport and separation of Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions via a hollow fiber-type solid supported liquid membrane extractor. Alamine 336, a long chain tertiary amine was used as carrier extractant. The results of liquid-liquid extraction equilibrium measurements of these metals indicate that separation of zinc from copper and nickel is favored at a feed phase of acid concentration below 3.0 mol/L HCl using bidistilled water as acceptor solution. Measurements of permeations of these metallic ions through the liquid membrane indicate that the transport of metals is strongly affected by: the content of carrier extractant in organic solvent; the HCl concentration in the feed solution; and the volumetric flow rate of the stripping solution. By decreasing HC concentration in the feed phase, the separation factor of Zn(II) from Cu(II) increases and the recovery of both metals decreases. Ni(II) ion was not transported during the entire experiment.