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Use of micelle-enhanced ultrafiltration to remove dissolved organics from aqueous streams. [4-tert-butylphenol with hexadecylpyridinium chloride as the surfactant]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6017680

Traditional ultrafiltration is ineffective at removing dissolved low molecular weight organics from water. In micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF), surfactant is added to the water at concentrations well above the critical micelle concentration. Almost all of the organic originally dissolved (solute) solubilizes in the micelles formed by the surfactant. The solution is then passed through an ultrafiltration filter with pores small enough to block micelle passage. The filtrate contains only the unsolubilized solute and the surfactant monomer, both in very low concentrations. In this work, surfactant selection considerations are discussed and MEUF is tested on an aqueous stream containing 4-tert-butylphenol with hexadecylpyridinium chloride as the surfactant. A solute rejection of 98%, permeate/feed ratio of 89%, and good fluxes were observed. 36 references, 1 figure, 4 tables.

Research Organization:
Oklahoma Univ., Norman (USA). School of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
DOE Contract Number:
AS05-84ER13175
OSTI ID:
6017680
Report Number(s):
CONF-840805-25; ON: DE85006309
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English