Removal of valeric acid from wastewaters by membrane contactors

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 137; no. 1-2; pp. 45 - 53
• Main Authors: Rodríguez, M., Viegas, R.M.C., Luque, S., Coelhoso, I.M., Crespo, J.P.S.G., Alvarez, J.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 24.12.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Hollow fibres; Industrial wastewaters; Mass transfer coefficient; Membrane contactors; Pollution; Solvent extraction; Valeric acid; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution; Valeric acid; Hollow fibres; Mass transfer coefficient; Membrane contactors; Solvent extraction; Membrane separation; Chemical industry; Industrial waste water; Polymer; Physicochemical purification; Waste water purification; Experimental study
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/S0376-7388(97)00182-8

Membrane contactors, providing a non-dispersive extraction technique, were used for the removal of valeric (n-pentanoic) acid from synthetic aqueous solutions simulating an industrial wastewater from polymer manufacturing. Amberlite LA-2 (secondary amine) in toluene was chosen as the extraction system. Equilibrium conditions were determined and mechanistically modelled for different extractant concentrations allowing the further calculation of mass transfer coefficients. The influence of the hydrodynamics of both the aqueous and organic phases on the overall mass transfer coefficient, calculated through two proposed methods, was studied. The integration of extraction and backextraction was also carried out, allowing a further acid removal with lower extractant concentrations.