APPLICATION OF FERROMAGNETIC PARTICLES TO EMULSION LIQUID MEMBRANES

A study has been undertaken to develop a novel operation mode of emulsion liquid membrane by using ferromagnetic particles. Zinc extraction from aqueous solution with both magnetic oil and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion drops containing D2EHPA was examined in a spray column under magnetic fields, including behavior of the drop motion. For the W/O drops, more flexible operation was realized by setting up permanent magnets to separate the dispersed phase from the continuous phase, The magnetic drops exhibited unique motions in rotating and alternating magnetic fields, depending on the field strength. It was found that the W/O drops are held in a strong alternating magnetic field and then form a fluid packed bed, whereby the extraction efficiency was significantly improved especially in a counterflow mode, by effective contact between the phases, This finding suggests the potential of a hybrid operation of a moving-bed and a spray column using magnetic W/O drops.