Title: Membrane contactors (NDSX and EPT): an innovative alternative for the treatment of effluents containing metallic pollutants

Authors: Eugenio Bringas; M. Fresnedo San Roman; A. Miren Urtiaga; Inmaculada Ortiz

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, ETSIIyT, University of Cantabria, Avda. los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain. ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, ETSIIyT, University of Cantabria, Avda. los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain. ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, ETSIIyT, University of Cantabria, Avda. los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain. ' Department of Chemical Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry, ETSIIyT, University of Cantabria, Avda. los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain

Abstract: This work presents an overview of membrane-based solvent extraction technologies using membrane contactors as an innovative alternative for the remediation of effluents containing metallic pollutants. The discussion is focused on the description of Non-Dispersive Solvent Extraction (NDSX) and Emulsion Pertraction Technologies (EPTs). Three case studies are reported to demonstrate the viability of NDSX and EPT for the removal and recovery of metallic pollutants present in aqueous streams: remediation of polluted groundwaters containing hexavalent chromium; recovery of zinc from acid spent pickling solutions; recovery of copper used as homogeneous catalyst in Wet Peroxide Oxidation (WPO) processes.

Keywords: membrane contactors; metallic pollutants; NDSX; non-dispersive solvent extraction; emulsion pertraction; NDSX; EPT; Cr(VI); Zn(II); Cu(II); chromium; zinc; copper; effluent treatment; aqueous streams; wastewater treatment; groundwater pollution; water pollution; heavy metals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2012.046387

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2012 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.201 - 220

Published online: 13 Dec 2014 *

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