A novel mass transfer coefficient correlation for improved rare earth metals extraction via supported nanoliquids membrane

摘要

Rare earth metals Gadolinium (Gd) and Neodymium (Nd) extraction from aqueous media were investigated by supported nanoliquid membrane. The supported nanoliquid membrane was prepared by dispersion of nanoparticles in organic membrane phase. Different sizes and concentrations of the nanoparticles were tested in order to find their influence on the extraction. Using hydrophobic nanoparticle SiO2, permeability coefficient improvement of 28.3% and 49.5% for Gd and Nd extraction were observed, respectively. It was found that the SiO2 nanoparticle gained the highest intensification in metal ion extraction via supportel nanoliquid membrane. Moreover, a novel correlation for mass transfer coefficient prediction was developed with AARE of 17.03%, based on theoretical equations related to the supported liquid membrane transport mechanism which was function of nanoparticle size and concentration.