Removal of heavy metals from wastewater using micellar enhanced ultrafiltration technique: a review

Abstract

Abstract Application of Micellar enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) for the removal of different heavy metals has been reviewed. It is considered an economical alternative available to the conventional membrane separation process, because it reduces the requirement of higher pressure and high membrane costs. MEUF is a separation processes which uses surfactants and ultrafiltration membranes to remove multivalent ions from wastewater with high percent rejection using electrostatic attraction between metals and micelles. This review seeks to define the effect of the operating parameters, i.e., applied pressure, surfactant concentration, feed temperature, metal ion concentration, feed flow rate, operating time etc. on the removal of metal ions. Emphasis is given to the application of MEUF for the removal of single metal ions, multiple metal ions and different metals along with other organic materials. Also, this review focuses on studies related to micelle formation, attraction between metal ions and micelles, and recovery of surfactants for future research.