Recovery of Plutonium from Analytical Laboratory Waste using Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane Technique

Plutonium from analytical laboratory waste was recovered on liters scale using Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane (HFSLM) technique using 30% TBP/n-dodecane as the carrier. The technique is faster, gives lower radiation exposure to the working personnel, and generates lower volume of secondary waste as compared to traditional precipitation/ion-exchange technique. The recovery of plutonium was carried out in two stages from waste containing a mixture of 3.22 g/L Pu, 110 g/L U, and 60.2 mg/L Am. In the first stage, >96% Pu(IV) and U(VI) were transported into the receiver phase in two hours. The Am(III) contamination in the Pu(IV) and U(VI) fraction was <0.1%. In the subsequent stage, plutonium was reduced to Pu(III) and U(VI) was selectively transported in to the receiver phase. In this method, a pure fraction of uranium was also obtained along with pure fraction of plutonium. The purity of plutonium fraction was confirmed by ICP-AES analysis.     

The Transport of Copper(II) through Hollow Fiber Renewal Liquid Membrane and Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane

Abstract

In this paper, hollow fiber renewal liquid membrane (HFRLM) and hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) were used to simultaneously remove and recover copper(II) from aqueous solutions, and the transport performance of these two techniques were compared under the similar conditions for the system of CuSO₄ +D2EHPA in kerosene +HCl. The results showed that the HFRLM process was more stable than the HFSLM process. The HFRLM process had a higher overall mass transfer coefficient than that of HFSLM process in single-pass experiments. These were because the renewal effect of the liquid membrane layer could reduce the mass transfer resistance of the lumen side and replenish the loss of the membrane liquid in the HFRLM process. The transport results were better in the HFRLM process than that in the HFSLM process with recycling experiments. Therefore, HFRLM technique is a promising method for simultaneous removal and recovery of heavy metal from aqueous solutions.     

Efficient hollow fiber supported liquid membrane system for the removal and preconcentration of Cr(VI) at trace levels

A hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) system for the removal and preconcentration of Cr(VI) has been developed and characterized using Aliquat 336 as carrier. The influence of the chemical composition on the efficiency of the membrane system has been investigated, such as the organic solvent and the stripping composition. Among the stripping reagents tested, a solution of 0.5 M HNO₃ was found to be the most effective to strip Cr(VI) from the loaded organic phase. Moreover, physical parameters such as the stability of the membrane and the operation mode of the module were also evaluated. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the HFSLM system during 8 non-stop days’ operation. This membrane-based separation system has effectively been used to remove Cr(VI) from different aqueous samples, such as industrial waters and spiked natural waters at μg L⁻¹ levels. Moreover, the system has allowed both the separation and enrichment of the metal and, thus, facilitating the detection of chromate contained in aqueous samples and reducing the volume of polluted water to be treated.     

Supported Liquid (SLM) and Polymer Inclusion (PIM) Membranes Pertraction of Copper(II) from Aqueous Nitrate Solutions by 1-Hexyl-2-Methylimidazole

The facilitated transport of Cu(II) ions from different aqueous nitrate source phases (c _Me = 0.001 M, pH = 6.0) across supported (SLMs) and polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) doped with 1-hexyl-2-methylimidazole as ion carrier was reported. The membrane is characterized by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results show that Cu²⁺ can be separated very effectively from other transition metal cations as Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺ from different equimolar mixtures of these ions. The highest initial fluxes of Cu(II) were found for PIM, while lower values were observed for SLM. However, after taking into account the morphology of the membranes (porosity, tortuosity), the values of the initial flux of Cu(II) transport across PIM is less than that across SLM. The recovery factor of Cu²⁺ ions during transport across PIM from different mixtures of cations is above 91% after 24 hrs and above 76% during transport across SLM. Also, the stability of PIM and SLM doped with 1-hexyl-2-methylimidazole was confirmed in replicate experiments.     

Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membranes from Poly(Vinyl Chloride): Preparation,Morphologies, and Properties

Hollow fiber poly(vinyl chloride) membranes were prepared by using the dry/wet spinning method. Cross-section, internal, and external surfaces of the hollow fibers structure were studied by SEM. The pore size and pore size distribution of the hollow fibers were measured by a PMI capillary flow porometer. UF experiments of pure water and aqueous solution of PVP K-90 were carried out. The effect of the PVC concentration on the hollow fibers mechanical properties was also investigated. It was found that the PVC fibers cross-sectional structure was affected by the polymer concentration in the dope solution. In particular, reduction of macrovoids size was observed when increasing PVC concentration from 15 to 19 wt%. The pore size distribution of the PVC hollow fibers was controlled by adjusting the PVC concentration. Indeed, an increase of PVC concentration up to 19 wt% leads to fibers with sharp pore size distribution (the 99% of pores is about 0.15 µm).The pure water permeation flux decreased from 162 to 128 (l/m² · h · bar), while the solute separation performance increased from 82 to 97.5%, when increasing the PVC concentration. The elongation at break, the tensile strength, and the Young's modulus of the PVC hollow fibers were improved with PVC concentration in dope solution.     

Simultaneous Transport and Separation of Cu(II) and Zn(II) in Cu-Zn-Co Sulfate Solution by Double Strip Dispersion Hybrid Liquid Membrane (SDHLM)

A double strip dispersion hybrid liquid membrane (SDHLM) was successfully used in the simultaneous extraction and separation of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) from Cu-Zn-Co dilute feed phase. In the double SDHLM system, Acorga M5640-loaded membrane was placed between the 1st and the 2nd compartment, whereas the mono(2-ethylhexyl) 2-ethylhexyl phosphonate [HEH(EHP)]-loaded membrane was placed between the 1st and the 3rd compartment of the transport cell. The feed solution was filled in the central feed compartment(1st compartment) of the transport cell. The effect of the different experimental variables on separation was examined. The optimum separation conditions were summarized.

An analysis of mass transfer resistances in the double SDHLM system shows that the mass transfer resistance for the diffusion of Zn(II) ions in the microporous membrane phase is dominant and the mass transfer resistances for the diffusion of copper (II) ions in the aqueous boundary layer and in the microporous membrane phase are dominant in comparison with the overall mass transfer resistance. The experiments verify that the double strip dispersion hybrid liquid membrane (SDHLM) possesses the nonequlibrium mass transfer characteristic.     

Separation of Phenol from Aqueous Streams by a Composite Hollow Fiber Based Pervaporation Process Using Polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS)/Polyether-Block-Amide (PEBA) as Two-Layer Membranes

Abstract

In order to simultaneously achieve both high permselectivity and permeability (flux) for the recovery of aromatic compounds such as phenol from aqueous streams, a composite organophilic hollow fiber based pervaporation process using PDMS/PEBA as two-layer membranes has been developed. The process employed a hydrophobic microporous polypropylene hollow fiber, having thin layers of silicones (PDMS) and PEBA polymers coating on the inside diameter. The composite membrane module is used to investigate the pervaporation behavior of phenol in water in a separate study; and that of a mixture of phenol, methanol, and formaldehyde in an aqueous stream (a typical constituent of wastewater stream of phenol-formaldehyde resin manufacturing process) in another study. The fluxes of phenol and water increase relatively linearly with increasing concentration especially at low feed concentration, and exhibit a near plateau with further increase in concentration. As a result, the phenol/water separation factor decreases as the feed concentration increases. Significant improvement in phenol/water separation factor and phenol flux is achieved for this two-layer (PDMS/PEBA) membranes as compared to that achieved using only PDMS membrane. The phenol and water fluxes and the separation factor are highly sensitive to permeate pressure as all decrease sharply with increase in permeate pressure. For this membrane, an increase in temperature increases the separation factor, and also permeation fluxes of phenol and water. An increase in feed-solution velocity does not have a significant effect on phenol and water fluxes, and also on the separation factor at least within the range of the feed-solution velocity considered. In the study of pervaporation behavior of a typical constituent of wastewater stream of phenol-formaldehyde resin manufacturing process, phenol permeation shows a much higher flux and a higher increase in flux with increase in concentration is also exhibited as compared to that exhibited by methanol permeation. This thus indicates that the membrane is more permeable to phenol than to methanol and formaldehyde.     

Hollow fiber supported liquid membrane process for the separation of NH3 from aqueous media containing NH3 and CO2

A hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (SLM) process was investigated experimentally and theoretically for the separation of NH₃ from aqueous solutions containing NH₃ and CO₂. DTPA and D2EHPA were used as carriers and n-decanol was used as a diluent in this process. The membrane stripping experiments, as well as the extractive equilibrium experiments, indicate that DTPA is a better carrier than D2EHPA in relation to the increase in the NH₃ stripping rate. The influence of operating conditions, such as flow rate, the ratio of NH₃ to CO₂, and carrier concentration, on the membrane stripping rate were examined. The experimental data demonstrate that the NH₃ stripping rate by an SLM process is not significantly influenced by the amount of CO₂ present, as is that by the supported gas membrane. To predict the stripping of NH₃ from solutions containing NH₃ and CO₂, a mathematical model incorporating chemical equilibria and Nernst–Planck diffusion was developed to describe the mass transport. The experimental data suggested that the SLM process can effectively strip NH₃ from aqueous solutions containing NH₃ and CO₂.     

Dehydrated Carbon Fiber for the Recovery of Pd(II) and Pt(II) From Chloride Aqueous Solution

Cellulose fiber was separated from date palm leaflets and was carbonized by dehydration using dilute sulfuric acid at 150°C. Produced dehydrated carbon fiber (DCF) was tested for the sorption of Pd(II) and Pt(II) at different pH, contact time, metal concentration, and temperature. With the rise in pH, sorption was found to increase for Pd(II) but decreases for Pt(II). The optimum pH ranges of 1-3 for Pt(II) and 3-3.5 for Pd(II). Approximate equilibrium was obtained within 50 hr for both metals with sorption data fitting the pseudo second order model well. Activation energy, Ea, was found to be higher than 40 kJ/mol for the sorption of both metals, indicating the involvement of chemical processes in metal sorption. The Langmuir isotherm was found to fit the sorption data more than other isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated and showed an involvement of chemical processes in metal sorption with stronger interaction for the carbon with Pb(II) than with Pt(II). Both of Pd(II) and Pt(II) were reduced to their respective elemental forms on the surface of the fiber as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction.     

Solvent Extraction of Uranium (VI) from Chloride Solutions using Cyphos IL-101

The solvent extraction of uranium (VI) from chloride solutions by Cyphos IL-101 in xylene has been studied. Distribution coefficients were found to increase with aqueous chloride concentration and extractant concentration. The enthalpy of extraction is endothermic with ΔH = +24 ± 2 kJ·mol^?1. Based upon slope analysis, an anion exchange extraction mechanism is proposed, with formation of a UO₂Cl₄ ^2- complex in association with 4 Cyphos IL-101 ligands. The extraction kinetics were fast, with complete equilibration occurring within 30 seconds. An isotherm for uranium extraction from 1.0 mol·L^?1 chloride solution by 0.1 mol·L^?1 Cyphos IL-101 in xylene shows that 45 mmol·L^?1 uranium can be loaded into the organic phase in equilibrium with 2.1 mmol·L^?1 in the aqueous phase. The absorption spectrum of the uranium loaded solvent between 350 and 550 nm is indicative of the UO₂Cl₄ ^2- complex with only chlorides present in the inner coordination sphere, unlike the more strongly hydrogen bonded Alamine 336 extracted uranium complex. Subject to the same experimental conditions, distribution coefficients for Cyphos IL-101 were significantly greater than for Alamine 336 or Aliquat 336.     

Extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), and Lanthanides(III) from Nitric Acid Solutions with CMPO-Functionalized Ionic Liquid in Molecular Diluents

The extraction of microquantities of U(VI), Th(IV), and lanthanides(III) from nitric acid solutions with CMPO-functionalized ionic liquid 1-[3[[(diphenylphosphinyl)acetyl]amino]propyl]-3-tetradecyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, CMPO-FIL(I) in molecular organic diluents has been studied. The effect of HNO₃ concentration in the aqueous phase and that of extractant concentration in the organic phase on the extraction of metal ions is considered. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes was determined. CMPO-FIL(I) demonstrates greater extraction ability towards Ln(III) than its neutral CMPO analog, diphenylphosphorylacetic acid N-nonylamide. This inner synergistic effect increases with a decreasing organic diluent polarity. The partition of CMPO-FIL(I) between the equilibrium organic and aqueous phases is the dominant factor governing the extractability of Ln(III) ions in the extraction system.     

Cysteine-Functionalized Chitosan Magnetic Nano-Based Particles for the Recovery of Uranium(VI): Uptake Kinetics and Sorption Isotherms

Magnetic-chitosan nanoparticles, functionalized with cysteine, were synthesized and characterized by element analysis, FT-IR, XRD, TEM, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The sorbent was tested for U(VI) recovery, considering:

• a. pH effect,

• b. sorption isotherms (fitted by Langmuir equation), and

• c. uptake kinetics (modeled using the PSORE).

Maximum sorption capacity approached 100 mg U g^?1. The nanometric size of sorbent reduces the impact of resistance to intraparticle diffusion; this may explain the fast kinetics (equilibrium within 50 min). The reaction is exothermic, spontaneous. The metal could be desorbed using acidified urea solution and the sorbent could be recycled for 5 cycles.     

Separation of Carrier Free 90Y from 90Sr by Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane Containing Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphonic Acid

The present article gives a comparative account of the efficiency of carrier-free ⁹⁰Y separation from ⁹⁰Sr by solvent extraction, flat sheet-supported liquid membrane (FSSLM) and hollow fiber-supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) methods using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphonic acid (PC88A) as the carrier extractant. The major focus of this work has been to develop the HFSLM method for the separation of Y(III) on a relatively large scale. The feed and receiver phase conditions were optimized by carrying out batch solvent-extraction studies. The extraction of Sr(II) by PC88A was negligible in the acidity range of 0.01–3 M HNO₃, whereas the extraction of Y(III) was significantly large at lower acidity (≤0.1 M HNO₃) with a separation factor (SF = D_Y/D_Sr) of 8.5 × 10⁴. HFSLM studies suggested selective and efficient transport of Y(III) into 3 M HNO₃ from a feed solution containing a mixture of Y(III) and Sr(II) at 0.1 M HNO₃. On the other hand, transport of Sr(II) was negligible in the receiver phase. The purity of the separated ⁹⁰Y was ascertained by paper chromatography and by half-life measurement. The radiation stability of the carrier was excellent as studied up to 1000 KGy dose.     

Process Intensification via Liquid Emulsion Membrane Technique in Extraction and Enrichment of Rhodium (III) from Chloride Media

A liquid emulsion membrane (LEM) system as a tool for process intensification has been studied for rhodium recovery using di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as a metal carrier and Monemul 80 as a surfactant, dissolved in liquid paraffin. The various process parameters affecting the LEM process, such as extractant, surfactant, and strip phase concentrations, the speed of agitation, the batch contact time, and the treat ratio have been experimentally investigated to get better insight into the process. Perchloric acid was found to be a better stripping agent in the LEM process. It was observed that the extraction of Rh (III) can be significantly more in the absence of a water repelling agent. The maximum enrichment of Rh (III) in the internal phase obtained was 4.3 times with feed phase pH adjusted to 6, perchloric acid (1.5 mol/dm³), and contact time of 15 min. A mass transfer model to predict the performance of the LEM system was used and found to fit well with the experimental data.     

New liquid membrane technology for simultaneous extraction and stripping of copper(II) from wastewater

In this paper, a new liquid membrane technique, hollow fiber renewal liquid membrane (HFRLM), is presented, which is based on the surface renewal theory, and integrates the advantages of fiber membrane extraction, liquid film permeation and other liquid membrane processes. The results from the system of CuSO₄+D2EHPA in kerosene+HCl show that the HFRLM process is very stable. The liquid membrane is renewed constantly during the process, the direct contact of organic droplets and aqueous phase provides large mass transfer area. These effects can significantly reduce the mass transfer resistance in the lumen side. Then the mixture of feed phase and organic phase flowing through the lumen side gives a higher mass transfer rate than that of stripping phase and organic phase, because the aqueous layer diffusion of feed phase is the rate-controlling step. The overall mass transfer coefficient increases with increasing flow rates and D2EHPA concentration in the organic phase, and with decreasing initial copper concentration in the feed phase. The overall mass transfer coefficient also increases with increasing pH in the feed phase, and reaches a maximum value at pH of 4.44, then decreases. Also, there is a favorable w/o volume ratio of 20:1 to 30:1 for this process. Compared with hollow fiber supported liquid membrane and hollow fiber membrane extraction processes, HFRLM process has a high mass transfer rate. Mathematical model for the HFRLM process based on the surface renewal theory is developed. The calculated results are in good agreement with experimental results under the conditions studied.     

Unmodified SBA-15 adsorbents for the removal and separation of Th(IV) and U(VI) ions: the role of pore channels and surface-active sites

ABSTRACT

The removal of Th(IV) and U(VI) by calcinated, non-calcinated, and methyl grafted SBA-15 (abbreviated as SBA-15, SBA-15-NC and SBA-15-MG, correspondingly) were compared to elucidate the role of pores and surface adsorption sites on SBA-15 adsorbents. It was proposed that the contribution of pores and surface-active sites of SBA-15 increases its higher adsorption capacity with respect to the other examined adsorbents. The kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption and also desorption occurred initially on the surface and then to the pores. Adsorption/desorption of the ions into pores was occurred with slow kinetics.     

Influence of pH on U(VI) Adsorption using a Thermally-Treated Mg-Al Hydrotalcite and a Natural Zeolite in a Batch System

The capacity of a calcined hydrotalcite and a natural zeolite to remove U(VI) chemical species from both acidic and basic aqueous systems has been investigated. The U(VI) uptake by the calcined hydrotalcite and the natural zeolite was determined to be from 5 to 200 µmolmL^?1 and from 2 to 10 µmolmL^?1, respectively. Uranium was measured using UV-Vis spectroscopy in the remaining solutions. The U(VI) adsorption of both materials was higher in the acidic aqueous system. Independent of the pH of the aqueous media, the [UO₂(CO₃)₃]^4? species play an important role in the regeneration of the original crystalline structure of the HT.     

Simultaneous extraction and determination of lead, cadmium and copper in rice samples by a new pre-concentration technique: Hollow fiber solid phase microextraction combined with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

In the present work, a novel solid phase microextraction (SPME) technique using a hollow fiber-supported sol–gel combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, coupled with differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was employed in the simultaneous extraction and determination of lead, cadmium and copper in rice. In this technique, an innovative solid sorbent containing mixture of carbon nanotube and a composite microporous compound was developed by the sol–gel method via the reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (TRIS). The growth process was initiated in basic condition (pH 10–11). Afterward this sol was injected into a polypropylene hollow fiber segment for in situ gelation process. The main factors influencing the pre-concentration and extraction of the metal ions; pH of the aqueous feed solution, extraction time, aqueous feed volume, agitation speed, the role of carbon nanotube reinforcement (as-grown and functionalized MWCNT) and salting effect have been examined in detail. Under the optimized conditions, linear calibration curves were established for the concentration of Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) in the range of 0.05–500, 0.05–500 and 0.01–100 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. Detection limits obtained in this way are, 0.01, 0.025 and 0.0073 ng mL⁻¹ for Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II), respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) were found to be less than 5% (n = 5, conc.: 1.0 ng mL⁻¹).     

Efficient transport and selective extraction of Cr(VI) from waste pickling solution of the stainless steel-cold rolled plate process using Aliquat 336 via HFSLM

The selective extraction of Cr(VI) from waste pickling solution of the stainless steel-cold rolled plate process by hydrophobic hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) was investigated. The effects of various parameters— types of organic extractants, i.e., metyl trioctylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336), tri-n-octylamine (TOA), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and the mixture of Aliquat 336 and TBP, concentration of the selected extractant, types of stripping solutions (NaCl and NaOH), pH and concentration of the selected stripping solution, and the operating temperature—were studied. The feed and stripping solutions flowed countercurrently. The results showed that the coexisting contamination in spent pickling solution of Fe(II) and Ni(II) ions had no significant effect on Cr(VI) extraction. Among the extractants used in this study, Aliquat 336 was a specific carrier to attain the highest percentage of Cr(VI) extraction. About 70% extraction was achieved by using 0.11 M Aliquat 336 and 0.5 M NaCl at pH 7. The percentage of stripping slightly increased when the concentration of NaCl increased. In addition, it was found that the operating temperature of 20, 30, 40, and 50 °C had almost no influence on the percentages of extraction and stripping of Cr(VI). The calculated diffusion energy of Cr(VI) extraction was 15.14 kJ/mol.     

Comparative study of solvent extraction and supported liquid membrane for the extraction of gallium (III) from chloride solution using organophosphorus acids as extractants

ABSTRACT

The transport of Ga(III) from chloride solution by supported liquid membrane (SLM) using organophosphorus acids as carriers was studied and compared with solvent extraction results. The diffusion coefficient, permeability coefficient and mass transfer resistance for both processes were analyzed by investigating various parameters, such as flow pattern, flow rate, pH, Ga(III)/extractant concentration and temperature. Under optimized conditions, the extraction percentage of 97.0% and permeability coefficient of 9.22 × 10^?6 m/s was achieved for SLM process. Kinetic modeling was proposed to determine the mass diffusion coefficient of Ga(III) complex across the membrane and stability of this SLM system was also examined.