The application of impeller fluidized microemulsion liquid membranes to the separation of contaminants such as heavy metals and organics from wastewater is proposed. The impeller fluidizer developed by Helipump Corporation is a self-pumping, durable, and inexpensive fluidizer design which provides higher mass transfer and throughput rates than typical fluidizers. Liquid membranes have been employed previously for the separation of metals (Cu. U, Co, Ni, Zn), organics (acetic acid, phenol), and recently amino acids (phenylalanine) from aqueous solutions.The researchers propose to employ a liquid membrane in an impeller fluidizer to purify wastewater of prototypical contaminants (phenol, ammonia, copper and mercury). In addition, microemulsions will be used instead of coarse emulsions in formulating the liquid membrane due to their inherent advantages. The successful applications of the technique will result in reduced waste-water treatment costs, while increasing production capacity.Commercial Applications:The technique promises to be applicable to the separation of many different types of contaminants. The technique would be beneficial to the wastewater treatment industries. The largest application is the treatment of effluent aqueous streams from chemical processing plants.
