The removal of heavy metals using the bulk liquid membrane technique

Abstract

In recent years, heavy metal pollution has become a worldwide problem due to their high toxic potential and tendency to accumulate in the body. In the present paper was studied the possibility of removing heavy metals using the bulk liquid membrane technique, which proved to be a useful tool in many applications of this type. The transport of a mixture of three metal cations (Mn (II), Fe (II) and Fe (III)) through the bulk liquid membrane was tested. The transport studies were carried out in the membrane system consisting of: the source phase - solution of Mn (II), Fe (II) and Fe (III) in hydrochloric acid medium, the membrane - solution of trioctylmethylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) in chloroform, the receiving phase – solution of dilute hydrochloric acid. In optimal transport conditions, efficiencies of less than 10% for the removal of Mn (II), of less than 30% for Fe (II) and of about 90% for Fe (III) were obtained.