ABSTRACT
Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) can be used to remove dissolved multivalent ions from water. Surfactant of opposite charge to that of the ions is added to the aqueous stream. The surfactant micelles have a high electrical potential, causing the multivalent ions to bind or adsorb on the micelles due to electro-static attraction. The stream can be treated by ultrafiltration and the micelles rejected by large-pore membranes. Rejections of 99.8% have been observed for divalent metal ions with large membrane pore sizes and high flux. In this chapter, the effect of system variables on performance of MEUF for removal of metals and metal mixtures is discussed. A theoretical model is outlined for predicting rejections under a variety of condtions.
