Spiral Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactor for Chromium (VI) Removal from Aqueous Sluotion

Chromium (VI) was successfully removed, from aqueous solution, using a new spiral hollow fiber module. It consists of three stages supporting a single hollow fiber based on polysulfone (PSF). Fibers were prepared using a dry/wet phase inversion technique, and several factors, including the type of coaxial coagulant, its injection rate, and the concentration of polymer, were examined. A number of techniques were used to characterize the hollow fibers regarding porosity, morphology, wettability, and mechanical strength. Asymmetric structure was obtained with a finger-like structure. This latter disappears slightly using additives in the coaxial coagulant. However, no significant effect of the increase in polymer concentration on the morphology of membranes. The prepared hollow fibers were tested for Cr(VI) recovery using Aliquat-336 as extractant in the designed spiral hollow fiber contactor. The results indicated that the new system could be a promising technique in the field of membrane contactors for metal ion separation with a separation efficiency of 95% and a flux of 3.8 μmol/m2.s.