Removal of heavy metal ions by polymer enhanced ultrafiltration: Batch process modeling and thermodynamics of complexation reactions

A batch process of polymer enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF) for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous effluents has been developed in an installation equipped with mineral membranes at laboratory scale. It has been proposed a model based on mass conservation equations and kinetics of complex formation reactions of macromolecular species comprising a metallic ion and a water-soluble polymer. The model predicts the temporal evolutions of metal concentration in permeate and rejected streams. Moreover, it enables to establish the operating pH values to tackle the stages of metal retention and polymer regeneration, and also to calculate conditional formation constants of the macromolecular complex as a function of pH and temperature.

► A novel model based on the kinetic theory of reactions is applied to PEUF processes.
► Copper concentrations in permeate and rejected streams are successfully predicted.
► Conditional formation constants of macromolecular complex can be also calculated.
► Operating conditions of metal retention and polymer regeneration stages are optimized.
► Calculation of complex formation enthalpy allows the thermochemical regeneration.