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Cloud point extraction of heavy metal ions for wastewater remediation: an equilibrium and kinetic study

  • Houaria Benkhedja

    Houaria Benkhedja, PhD in process and environmental engineering, associate professor of chemical engineering at USTO, Algeria.

     EMAIL logo     , Jean P. Canselier

    Jean P. Canselier, Doctor of Science retired at Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Research Center of Toulouse, France.

         , Halima Ghouas

    Halima Ghouas, PhD in Chemistry, associate professor of chemical engineering at ESGEEO, Algeria.

         , Abdelkader Benderrag

    Abdelkader Benderrag, PhD in Chemistry, associate professor of chemical engineering at Oran 1, Algeria.

         , Boumediene Haddou

    Boumediene Haddou, Professor of chemical engineering at USTO, Algeria.

         and Christophe Gourdon
Published/Copyright: November 12, 2024
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Tenside Surfactants Detergents
From the journal Tenside Surfactants Detergents Volume 62 Issue 1

Abstract

Surfactants offer a promising alternative for the efficient and environmentally friendly removal of organic pollutants and toxic heavy metal ions from various media. Their high efficiency and environmental compatibility make them a valuable option for remediation efforts. This study focuses on the cloud point extraction (CPE) of ions from aqueous solutions using biodegradable nonionic surfactants combined with ionic surfactants instead of chelating agents. Phase diagrams of binary surfactant/water systems were first constructed. The effects of salt, inorganic contaminants, and ionic surfactants on the cloud point (Tc) were then investigated. At temperatures above the cloud point, two distinct phenomena were observed and monitored over time: phase separation and phase clarification. The kinetic process was studied using the Turbiscan Lab Expert. Extraction results were evaluated based on four responses: extraction yield (E%), residual concentrations of solute (Xs,w) and surfactant (Xt,w) in the dilute phase, and volume fraction of coacervate at equilibrium (Φ C). Empirical modelling gives a satisfactory agreement between experimental and calculated values. The capacity of CPE to simultaneously remove an organic pollutant and a toxic heavy metal was demonstrated.

Keywords: heavy metals; cloud point extraction; surfactants; modelling; turbiscan lab expert
Corresponding author: Houaria Benkhedja, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Catalysis and Environment (LPCM-CE), University of Sciences and Technology of Oran, Mohamed Boudiaf, BP 1505 El M’Naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria, E-mail:

About the authors

Houaria Benkhedja

Houaria Benkhedja, PhD in process and environmental engineering, associate professor of chemical engineering at USTO, Algeria.

Jean P. Canselier

Jean P. Canselier, Doctor of Science retired at Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Research Center of Toulouse, France.

Halima Ghouas

Halima Ghouas, PhD in Chemistry, associate professor of chemical engineering at ESGEEO, Algeria.

Abdelkader Benderrag

Abdelkader Benderrag, PhD in Chemistry, associate professor of chemical engineering at Oran 1, Algeria.

Boumediene Haddou

Boumediene Haddou, Professor of chemical engineering at USTO, Algeria.

List of symbols

CMC

Critical micelle concentration (mol/L)

CTAB

Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Simulsol NW342

Oxo-C10E3P4E2

Tergitol 15-S-7

C10-15E7

SDS

Sodium dodecyl sulfate

E

Extent of extraction (%)

Xt,w

Mass fraction of surfactant in the dilute phase after extraction (wt%)

T

Temperature (°C)

Tc

Cloud point (temperature) (°C)

TA

Nonionic surfactant

Фc

Volume fraction of coacervate

Xs,w

Mass fraction of solute in the dilute phase after extraction (wt%)

Xt

Initial surfactant mass fraction (wt%)

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Chemical Engineering Laboratory (LGC) of the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (Toulouse INP), France, Formulation (now Microtrac, France), the Directorate General of Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT), and the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Materials, Catalysis and Environment, U. S. T. Oran, Algeria.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission. Contributions: Houaria Benkhedja, Jean Paul Canselier and Halima Ghouas were major contributors in writing the manuscript, performed the experimental part in the laboratory and contributed in analysis and discussion of the results. Abdelkader Benderrag revised the manuscript and contributed key inputs. Boumedienne Haddou and Christophe Gourdon were responsible for the overall control of the article’s ideas and the structure of writing.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2024-09-20
Accepted: 2024-10-21
Published Online: 2024-11-12
Published in Print: 2025-01-29

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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https://doi.org/10.1515/tsd-2024-2628
Keywords for this article
heavy metals; cloud point extraction; surfactants; modelling; turbiscan lab expert

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Discussion
  3. How to better realise the potential of automatic dishwashing to reduce the energy (and water) use in European households: introduction of a ‘short eco’ programme
  4. Physical Chemistry
  5. Ionic surfactants critical micelle concentration modelling in water/organic solvent mixtures using random forest and support vector machine algorithms
  6. Research on a synergistic formula of anionic and betaine type surfactants for natural gas fields
  7. Effect of amphiphilic nanoparticles and non-ionic surfactants on emulsion stability
  8. Rheology on novel UV–light irradiation thinning and thickening viscoelastic oleamidopropyl dimethylamine/trans-o-methoxycinnamic acid micelle systems
  9. Applications
  10. Forced stability studies and estimation of encapsulated ellagic acid in nano-formulations using UV-spectroscopy
  11. Cloud point extraction of heavy metal ions for wastewater remediation: an equilibrium and kinetic study
  12. Development and blocking assessment of high softening point asphalt system
  13. Short Communication
  14. Effect of hydrophile–lipophile balance of F-alkylated cyclic polyethylene glycol succinates on their applications
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