REMOVAL OF METAL, IONS BY ULTRAFILTRATION OF A MICELLAR SOLUTION CONTAINING ANIONIC SURFACTANT

Heavy metals in wastewater were removed by ultrafiltration of a micell ar solution containing surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. Expe rimental results showed that permeate flux was primarily controlled by the operating parameters such as transmembrane pressure difference, f low rate and leed concentration. The average permeate flux increased a t a higher transmembrane pressure. leed velocity, and at a lower Solut ion concentration. Tile transmembrane pressure had a relatively small effect on metal removal whereas the level of surfactant-to-metal ratio (S/M) had a substantial effect. The optimal ratio of S/M for a best r emoval of metal ions was measured around 5 and 8 in the presence of so dium dodecyl sulfate, and the affinity resulted in the order of Cr>Co> Ni>Mg.