Résumé: The present paper highlights the process for the purification of water, which contains Neodymium (III). The applicability of the Liquid Surfactant Membrane (LSM) process for the removal and the concentration of Nd (III) was investigated. The LSM consists of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid as a carrier, commercial kerosene as an organic solvent, span 80 as an emulsifying agent, and sulphuric acid as a stripping phase. The important factors studied which affect the removal Nd (III) are the concentrations of surfactant (1–9% w/w), carrier (0.05–0.9% w/w), internal phase (0.05–1 N H2SO4), pH of feed solution, stirring speed (100 −400 rpm), external phase concentration and type of diluent. The results showed that it is possible to remove 95% of Nd (III) after 15 min contact time by using ELM at the optimum operating conditions. The application of this new membrane matrix based on sulphuric acid used as inner phase, sorbitan monooleate as a surfactant, and D2EHPA as an extractant in kerosene as a diluent has been proven effective for extracting Neodymium (III) ions in water.

Résumé: In this study, the elimination of Uranyl from aqueous solution is studied using an advanced technique of extraction; emulsion liquid membrane (ELM). Experimental results for the extraction of Uranyl are presented. The membrane phase consists of Kerosene as a diluent, Cyanex 302 as a carrier and sorbiton monooleate (Span 80) as a surfactant. Sulfuric acid solution as an internal aqueous phase. At the optimum conditions, the main variables studied which influenced the ELM extraction of Uranyl were the concentration of surfactant (3%), carrier (0.3%), internal phase (1 N H2SO4), types of internal phase (H2SO4 sulfuric acid), diluent (Kerosene), stirring speed (200 rpm), and the effect of volume ratios of the internal phase to the organic phase 1:1 (A/O) and of the emulsion to the feed solution 20/200 (Vemul/Vext). The results indicate that the removal percentage was obtained 100% in less than 20 min.This study also evaluated the effect of H2SO4 concentration in the internal aqueous phase on the stripping of Uranyl. The ELM treatment process represents a very interesting advanced separation process for the removal of Uranyl from aqueous solutions.

Résumé: The present paper introduces a technical feasibility study of one of the most advanced extraction techniques (AETs); emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) on the removal of Europium(III) from aqueous solutions. The study aims to give a comprehensive account of various parameters that affected the ELM formation and stability for increasing the removal of Europium(III). The organic membrane phase of ELM consists of Span 80 as a surfactant, Cyanex 302 as a carrier, kerosene as a diluent and sulfuric acid solution as an internal aqueous phase. At the optimum conditions, the main variables studied which influenced the ELM stability and extraction of Europium(III) were the concentration of surfactant (3%), carrier (0.3%), internal phase (0.5 N H2SO4), types of internal phase (H2SO4 sulfuric acid), diluent (Kerosene), stirring speed (200 rpm), and the effect of volume ratios of the internal phase to the organic phase 1:1 (A/O) and of the emulsion to the feed solution 20/200 (Vem/Vext). Under most favorable conditions, all the Eu(III) molecules presented in the feed phase were extracted within 30 min in a manner that makes more than 92% of the Eu(III) molecules extracted within the first 10 min. The findings revealed that ELM treatment process represents a very interesting advanced separation process for the removal of Eu(III) from aqueous solutions. Keywords: Emulsion liquid membrane; Stability; Rare earth elements; Eu(III)