Removal of phenol from refinery waste waters using liquid surfactant membranes in a continuous column contactor

Abstract

The novel separation technique of liquid surfactant membrane permeation has been used for the removal of phenol from refinery waste waters. Experimental data are presented on continuous scale extraction of phenol, which is a typical toxic pollutant present in refinery waste waters, using liquid surfactant membranes in counter current Oldshue Rushton type stirred column. Experimental data have been generated under a range of operating parameters like flow rates, phase ratios and measurements include mass transfer, drop sizes and dispersed phase holdup. The effects of these parameters on extraction of phenol have been analyzed.