Hollow‐fiber dispersion‐free extraction and stripping of Pb(II) in the presence of Cd(II) using D2EHPA under recirculating operation mode

Lead(II) and cadmium(II) solvent extraction (SX) with D2EHPA dissolved in heptane and kerosene from aqueous chloride media was studied. Extraction reaction stoichiometries and extraction equilibrium constants were evaluated. Application of a dispersion‐free membrane‐based extraction and stripping technique with two hollow‐fiber contactors under recirculating operation mode allowed a quantitative (>97%) removal of lead from the aqueous solution in the extraction module with a separation factor of 19 and a 62% recovery in the back‐extraction module with a separation factor of 6.3 after 7 h under optimum conditions. Mass‐transfer coefficients for the system were evaluated. Optimal conditions for transport and separation are reported and compared using SX and the membrane‐based technique. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry