Removal of Copper Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Liquid Surfactant Membrane Technique

Abstract

Liquid Surfactant Membrane (LSM) as an alternative extraction technique shows many advantages without altering the chemistry of the oil process in terms of efficiency, cost effectiveness and fast demulsification post extraction. Copper (Cu) extraction from aqueous solution using Liquid Membrane (LM) technology is more efficient than the sludge-forming precipitation process and has to be disposed of in landfills. In this chapter, a liquid surfactant membrane (LSM) was developed that uses kerosene oil as LSM ‘s key diluent to extract copper ions as a carrier from the aqueous waste solution through di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA). This technique has several benefits, including extracting one-stage extracts. The LSM process was used to transport Cu (II) ions from the feed phase to the stripping phase, which was prepared, using H2SO4. For LSM process, various parameters have been studied such as carrier concentration, treat ratio (TR), agitating speed and initial feed concentration. After finding the optimum parameters, it was possible to extract Cu up to 95% from the aqueous feed phase in a single stage extraction.