Dye removal with emulsion liquid membrane: experimental design and response surface methodology

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Separation Science
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Anionic food dyes like Acid Red 18 (E124) and Quinoline Yellow WS (E104) pose environmental concerns in aqueous solutions.
• Effective removal of these dyes is crucial for water purification and environmental protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the removal of anionic food dyes E124 and E104 from aqueous solutions using the Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) technique.
• To optimize ELM parameters for efficient dye extraction and membrane stability.

Main Methods:

• Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) technique utilizing kerosene as diluent, Triton X-45 as surfactant, Aliquat 336 as extractant, and sulfuric acid as the internal aqueous phase.
• Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were employed to study the impact of key parameters on dye removal efficiency.
• Experimental results were analyzed using empirical smoothing for parameter optimization.

Main Results:

• Achieved over 98% extraction efficiency for Acid Red 18 (E124) at 50 mg/L under optimal conditions.
• Demonstrated over 95% extraction efficiency for a mixture of E124 and E104 at equal concentrations (25 mg/L).
• Identified optimal concentrations of Triton X-45, Aliquat 336, and sulfuric acid for efficient dye removal.

Conclusions:

• The Emulsion Liquid Membrane technique is a highly effective method for removing anionic food dyes from water.
• Optimized ELM parameters significantly enhance dye extraction efficiency, offering a viable solution for water remediation.
• The study provides a robust methodology for optimizing separation processes using response surface methodology.