Grantee Research Project Results
Emulsion Liquid Membrane Extraction of Phenolics from Industrial Wastewaters
EPA Contract Number: 68D10066Title: Emulsion Liquid Membrane Extraction of Phenolics from Industrial Wastewaters
Investigators: Wright, John D.
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1991 through December 1, 1994
Project Amount: $150,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1991) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Phenolic compounds are the primary wastewater treat- ment challenge found in the aqueous effluents from petro- leum refineries, coal conversion processes, petrochemical production, and the manufacture of phenols and related chemicals. Emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) separations are a developing technology with high potential for cost- effective removal and recovery of phenolic compounds. Unlike the current treatment technologies, ELM processes can almost completely remove phenolics from both high and low concentration feed streams, while producing a concentrated solute level in the stripping phase, simplifying final recovery. Further, ELM offers independent control over the solvent's solubility in water and its affinity for phenol, eliminating the need for a stripping column to clean the wastewater leaving the extractor. As a result, ELM is a much less expensive process for wastewater treatment than solvent extraction, the current technology of choice.
In Phase I, TDA Research, Inc., demonstrated the feasi- bility of the ELM extraction process. During Phase II, TDA will demonstrate the feasibility of the complete treatment process, including not only extraction, but emulsion coales- cence and phase separation. The objectives are to optimize the extraction in a low-cost contacting device, optimize the electrostatic coalescence process, demonstrate the entire system, and use the results of the complete process demon- stration as the basis for the detailed design and economic analysis of a full scale treatment plant.
Supplemental Keywords:
Scientific Discipline, Waste, Water, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Remediation, Wastewater, Chemistry, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, phenol removal, wastewater treatment, wastewater remediation, industrial wastewater, phenols, emulsion liquid membranes (ELM), treatment, emulsion liquid membrane (ELM), extraction, phenolic compounds, waste water treatmentProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Emulsion Liquid Membrane Extraction of Phenolics from Industrial WastewatersThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.