PRECONCENTRATION AND SEPARATION OF PHENOLS FROM WATER BY POLYURETHANEFOAMS

The application of untreated and polyurethane foams treated with tribu tylphosphate (TBP) in the preconcentration of some phenols from water via static and flow experiments was carried out. Batch experiments wit h the TBP-loaded foams showed a good affinity toward extraction of the tested compounds as compared to the untreated foams. The use of the u nloaded and TBP loaded foams was also employed in column modes for the preconcentration of the phenols used. The effect of extraction media, phenol concentration, time of shaking, temperature, sample volume, io nic strength, eluting solvent, and flow rate on the retention efficien cy of the compounds by the foam were investigated. The extraction effi ciency and the recovery of the compounds from the foam material by the column were obtained up to 100%. Sorption of the compounds by the foa m was brought by a solvent extraction mechanism. The pK(a) and the mol ecular weight of the absorbates play an important role in the sorption process. The height equivalent to