Application of a membrane contactor for a simultaneous removal of p -cresol and Cr(III) ions from water solution

The aim of the study was to investigate the simultaneous removal of p -cresol and Cr(III) ions using a membrane contactor enhanced by a micellar solubilization. The investigations of solutes removal were performed taking advantage a polysulfone capillary membrane contactor in a counter-current mode and a micellar sodium dodecyl sulfate ions solution. The coefficients for a resistance in series mass transfer model were determined.

The new concept of membrane contactor enhanced by the micellar solubilization was presented. Mass transfer in a membrane contactor was described by the resistances in series model. The mass transfer coefficients for both phases (donor and acceptor phase) were determined. It was shown that presence of chromium ions does not influence on p -cresol separation, so both contaminants can be removed simultaneously. The efficiency of this separation process is a function of hydrodynamic parameters (flow velocity of both phases) and the SDS concentration. The proposed method of separation is efficient even for a low concentration of solutes in water. It may be used for environmental protection purposes, such as industrial wastewater treatment.