Abstract

This is a report on the separation and recovery of zinc ions from an acidic mine drainage using a stirred transfer cell-type emulsion liquid membrane contactor. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid was used as a highly selective carrier for the transport of zinc ions through the emulsified liquid membrane. A study was made of the effect on the extraction extent and initial extraction rate of the following variables: pH and initial metal concentration of the feed phase, carrier content in the organic solution, a stripping agent concentration in the receiving phase, and stirring speed in the transfer cell. The content of sulfuric acid as a stripping agent did not show in the studied range any significant influence on metal permeation through the SLM, although a minimum hydrogen ion concentration of 100 g/L is suggested in the internal aqueous solution to ensure an acidity gradient between both aqueous phases to promote the permeation of metal ions toward the strip liquor. Results show that using a pH of 4.0 in the feed acid solution, a concentration of 3% w/wo of phosphoric carrier in the organic phase and a H2SO4 content of 100 g/L in the strip liquor, the extent and rate of extraction through the liquid membrane can be highly favored, pointing to the potential of this method for extracting heavy metals from many kinds of dilute aqueous solutions.