Parametric optimization for Samarium separation by employing hollow fibre membrane

Samarium recovery from scrap and used magnetic material is essential to augment the existing supply of the material. The present work elaborate, studies on samarium separation/transport behavior from aqueous stream by employing hollow fibre membrane contactor. Percentage extraction and transport behavior of Sm (III) have been evaluated under wide range of experimental parameters such as type of organic extractant (D2EHPA/PC88A), concentration of organic phase, aqueous phase acidity, flow rate in the module, strip phase acidity and metal ion concentration. Taguchi method utilizing L-18 orthogonal array has been adopted to identify the most influential process parameters responsible for higher degree of extraction and transport of Sm (III) from nitric acid feed medium. Data analysis revealed that organic phase, aqueous phase acidity and flow rate has significant effect on % transport of Sm across the membrane. Analysis of variance led to the optimized condition for maximum recovery of Sm i.e. organic phase: 1.5M D2EHPA, aq. phase: 0.1M HNO₃ containing 1000 mg/L Sm, Strippent: 4.5 M HNO₃ for maximum recovery of Sm from aqueous phase. (author)