Abstract: | ABSTRACT Microporous hollow fiber membranes were used with a water-soluble chelating) polymer (polyacrylic acid) to recover and concentrate metal ions [copper(H)] from a solution. The polymer (chelator) solution was pumped through the bore of the fibers which was immersed in the metal ions solution. In this process the metal ions diffuse through the fiber porous space into the bore side and react with the chelator passing in the bore of the fiber. The transient change in concentration of metal ions at the outlet of the fiber were measured. The experimental data were well fitted by a one-dimensional convection equation which was derived with relatively simple assumptions and a steady-state theory, and reasonable values for the dispersion coefficient and an overall mass transfer coefficient were obtained. |