Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration of phenol by means of oxyethylated fattyacid methyl esters

The optimized application of micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) in in dustrial scale requires the ability to develop simulation models. The more conventional approach for the description of relationships between operatio n conditions like, for example, surfactant concentration and separation per formance and fouling, centers on the evaluation of overall resistance and t ime-independent relationships between concentrations before and after the m embrane. In this paper, a novel approach is presented. It is based in the e valuation of relationships between averaged resistance and permeation fluxe s, and a molar ratio pollutant/surfactant to predict the efficiency of the separation. The evolution of the additional resistance to permeation genera ted by the deposition of surfactant on the membrane is described as a seque nce of. a maximum initial resistance due to gelification; a decrease in the resistance, apparently connected with the deformation of the surfactant ge l by the permeating flux; and an aging effect. It is observed that differen t pollutants have different effects on the initial resistance and its evolu tion. In the case of phenol, higher concentration causes an increase of the initial resistance. It does not seem to have an effect on the aging rate. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.