ABSTRACT
It is necessary to remove arsenic from drinking water, as it is very harmful, toxic and carcinogenic in nature. However, there are several separation techniques for removal of arsenic from water; liquid membrane separation technique is being studied for its selective and high separation factor. Two-phase equilibrium study has been done to identify the environmentally benign organic solvent and extractant for the extraction of arsenic ions from its aqueous solution. Extraction of As(III), As(V) and a combination of both As(III) and As(V) in different ratios Have been studied. The effect of extraction on variation of parameters including extractant concentration, pH of feed phase, stirrer speed have been studied. The experiments were designed with the central composite design of response surface methodology to get an optimum range of input variables for maximum extraction of arsenic ions. The objective is to design stable flat sheet supported liquid membrane based technique for arsenic removal for purification of drinking water. The solute-selective nature, ability for uphill transport and high separation factor makes liquid membrane separation technique an efficient way of removing arsenic from drinking water.
