Transport of copper through a supported liquid membrane

Abstract

An experimental study was carried out to elucidate the mechanism of ion transport through supported liquid membranes (SLM) and to approach liquid membrane separation in industrial uses. Two channels of 1 mm depth were prepared on both sides of a porous polymer sheet supporting extractant solution. Copper was permeated from the feed solution of copper sulfate into a strip solution of sulfuric acid through an SLM impregnated with kerosene solution of LIX65N as membrane solution. To stabilize the SLM the membrane solution was forced to flow with the strip solution. Such an operation mode allows enhancement of the rate of copper permeation, which is interpreted by a reduction in resistance for strip reaction due to sweeping the strip surface of the SLM with the membrane solution stream. The diffusion resistance of boundary film in the feed solution was significant for ion transport through the SLM in the present study. © 1985, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan. All rights reserved.