MEMBRANE AGING AND RELATED PHENOMENA IN LIQUID SURFACTANT MEMBRANES PROCESS

The membrane aging phenomenon and its influences on the kinetics of co balt(II) permeation by the liquid surfactant membranes (LSM) process h as been studied. The experimental results showed that the emulsion for mulated from the internal aqueous phase and the membrane (organic phas e) of a certain age has far-reaching consequences on the kinetics of m etal extraction and emulsion stability. The investigations have reveal ed that there exists an optimal age and composition of the membrane in which the highest extraction (synergism) and the lowest emulsion swel ling are achieved. Analytical and instrumental examinations of the mem brane phase during aging have shown various chemical and physical chan ges as a result of the surfactant decomposition, reaction products pre cipitation and self-association, and macroemulsion formation.