Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

Abstract

Mercury Extraction in Presence of Cobalt Using Hollow Fiber Supported Ionic Liquid Membrane

Mahmudul Hasan Khan Neon and Jayakumar Natesan Subramanian Nayagar

In the current study, the removal efficiency of mercury in presence of cobalt was examined through the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane unit. The micro-porous polypropylene supported material was impregnated by Aliquat 336 (Tri-octyl-methyl-ammonium chloride) where toluene was used as a diluting agent. The experiments were carried under 25�C temperature and 1 atmospheric pressure. The feed solution was maintained at pH level lower than equal to 1.5 and the stripping agent i.e. thiourea solution was maintained at pH level greater than equal to 3.0. The mercury concentration (ppb) was analyzed by using HydrEA HS6 (I) analyzer. The data obtained in the present study showed that the increase in the concentration of cobalt till the same concentration of mercury in feed solution enhances the percentage removal of mercury. The most favorable value for the ionic liquid concentration within the range of 0.1M - 0.2 M was found to be 0.1M for the removal of mercury. The optimal value of the stripping agent concentration within the range of 0.025 M - 0.075 M was found to be 0.05 M whereas the optimal value for the volumetric flow-rates of stripping agent and feed inlet within the range of 50 ml/min ? 200 ml/min laid between 100 ml/min ? 150 ml/min for the best possible percentage removal of mercury. For the system operating close to the optimum and encouraging conditions, it was possible to remove mercury to almost 60% of the feed inlet value.