Removal of Zinc from an Aqueous Solution Using Micellar-Enhanced Ultrafiltration (MEUF) with Surfactants

Abstract

In the present study, the optimum conditions have been investigated for theseparation of Zn2+ ions from aqueous solution by micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). Forthis purpose, the best conditions for the concentration of surface active agent in the feed solution(sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), triton-X-100(TX100)), filtering pressure, stirring rate, and for the membrane porosity have been determined.It was found that the filtering pressure has a significant effect on the permeate flux but arelatively insignificant impact on rejection of Zn2+. Permeate flux increased linearly withincreasing pressure, ranging from 0.32 mLmin-1m-2 at 3 bar to 0.72 mLmin-1m-2 at 4 bar. Theresults showed that by adding SDS anionic surfactant, the permeate flux and the removalefficiency of zinc increased. Best results in terms of zinc rejection coefficient is 97.5 % at 5.0 x10-4 M zinc concentration, 1.0 x 10-2 M SDS concentration (~x 8 cmc), stirring rate 500 rpm andtransmembrane pressure 4 bar.