Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution using polymer membranes by filtration technique

In this study separation of Fe(III), Cu(II) and Co(II) from aqueous solutions was studied by filtration technique. Polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) ? Alginic Acid(AA) / cellulose composite membranes were used in the filtration. PVA and AA were used as complexing agents to enhance the retention. In the filtration of Fe(III) solutions, the effects of membrane contents, pressure and pH on the retention and the flux were studied. The optimum retention was found as 98 % for Fe(III) solution at pressure of 60 psi, pH of 3 in the presence of PVA as complexing agent by using 0,75 % (m/v)[75 PVA / 25 AA (m/m)]/ cellulose composite membranes. In the filtration of Cu(II) solutions, the effects of pH, pressure and membrane content on the retention and the flux were examined. The optimum retention was found as 50 % for Cu(II) solution at the pressure of 60 psi, pH of 6, in the presence of PVA, by using 0,75 % (m/v)[75 PVA / 25 AA (m/m)]/ cellulose composite membranes. Aqueous solutions of Co(II) were filtrated at different pH, pressure and contents of the membranes, the optimum retention for Co(II) was found as 33 % using 0,75 % (m/v)[75 PVA / 25 AA (m/m)]/ cellulose composite membranes when filtration was carried out in the presence of PVA, at pH 6, pressure of 60psi.