Effect of contacting pattern and various surfactants on phenol extraction efficiency using emulsion liquid membrane

Abstract

Abstract Emulsions prepared using different surfactants, including Span-80, BKC and CTAB, are studied for their stability and phenol remsoval efficiency. The effect of contacting pattern on ELM extraction efficiency is compared in Beaker – Stirrer apparatus and Bubble Flow Recirculation column. The emulsion prepared using Span-80 is relatively more stable than emulsions prepared using other surfactants. The emulsion stability during the extraction process is relatively higher in the Bubble Flow Recirculation column (15 min) than in the Beaker – Stirrer apparatus (10 min). At optimized conditions, the phenol removal efficiency of the emulsion prepared using Span-80 in Beaker – Stirrer apparatus is 96% and in Bubble Flow Recirculation column is 78%. Kinetic studies reveal that the extraction follows zeroth-order kinetics with an average phenol effective diffusivity of 0.0004 s at an initial phenol concentration ranging from 100–500 PPM.