| Abstract: | Abstract Micellar‐Enhanced Ultrafiltration (MEUF) of the chromate anions from aqueous solutions has been studied at room temperature (28±2°C) using cationic surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), micelles of which adsorb the chromate ions by electrostatic interactions. The solution is processed by ultrafiltration, using a membrane with a pore size small enough to block the passage of the micelles and the adsorbed ions. The process is highly efficient in removing the chromate ions. In the absence of other electrolytes, chromate ion rejections up to 99% were observed at optimal conditions of pH, pressure, temperature, feed chromate, and surfactant concentrations. The presence of added NaCl reduces the chromate rejection, but it was still considerable (up to 82%), even in the presence of 100 mM NaCl. The rejection rate of chromate was found to be highly dependent on the pH of the feed solution. The influence of membrane characteristics on the chromate ion removal was also studied. Various resistances like fouling resistance, concentration polarization resistance, and membrane resistance were also estimated to quantify their effects on the removal efficiency and on the flux behavior. |
