Comparative assessment on lead removal using micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) based on a type-2 fuzzy logic and response surface methodology

Treatment of wastewater containing heavy metal ions is a growing challenge due to their coexistence in many industrial effluents. In the present investigation, an interval type-2 fuzzy logic controller (IT2FLC) and Response surface methodology (RSM) based model was developed to predict and modelling of lead removal and permeation flux in separation processes using micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). The Box-Behnken experimental design method investigates the effect of parameters such as surfactant concentration, solution pH and surfactant to metal concentration ratio (S/M) on MEUF performance. The simulation results reveal that the output variables of MEUF performance could be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. Predicting the performance of a MEUF separation process, prior to its ultrafiltration experiment, was introduced as the most prominent feature of this study. This can offer an intelligent method for evaluation of MEUF presentation instead of conventional method, which is both time saving and cost effective.