Removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions using the micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration process: Response surface methodology optimization

In this study, the micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) separation process was employed to determine the removal percentage of lead ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of diverse parameters, such as the initial concentration of lead (۲۰۰-۴۰۰ mg/l), operating pressure (۲-۴ bar) and molar concentration ratio of the surfactant SDS to the metal (۵-۱۰), was investigated using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The number of experiments designed by this scheme was ۱۵ and the importance of the effective parameters and their binary interactions were evaluated using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The obtained results showed that the proposed model has optimal accuracy and efficiency in the prediction of the lead rejection percentage. The responses predicted by the model showed that the MEUF process could lead to a high rejection rate of Pb(II) ions (۹۹.۹۰ %) at optimal conditions.

Keywords:

Lead , surfactant , Membrane processes , Micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration , Optimization