Removal of iron-cyanide complexes using micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration

K. Baek¹ and J.W. Yang²*

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 188 Shinpyung-dong, Gumi, Gyungbuk 730-701, Republic of Korea
² National Research Laboratory for Environmental Remediation, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 373-1, Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea


Received 30 September 2002; accepted 15 April 2004



ABSTRACT

Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF)-based separation of iron-cyanide complexes, ferriccyanide and ferrocyanide, was investigated in order to assess the potential of MEUF for the removal of ferriccyanide and ferrocyanide with a cationic surfactant, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). The removals of ferriccyanide and ferrocyanide were >99% and 99%, respectively, with the molar ratio of CPC to ferriccyanide/ferrocyanide of 3 and 4, respectively. Both the rejection and the concentration of CPC in the permeate were low enough to meet effluent standard. The MEUF process can be a good alternative to reverse osmosis or ion exchange for removal of iron-cyanide complexes.


Keywords: Cyanide; Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration; Cetylpyridnium chloride



* Corresponding author
   E-mail : jwyang@kaist.ac.kr