Analysis of the operation of a NSDX pilot plant for Cr(VI) recovery

Abstract This work is focused on the quantitative analysis of the operation of a non-dispersive solvent extraction, NDSX, pilot plant and its application to the removal and concentration of chromium (VI) present in industrial wastewater. NDSX processes belong to the group of emerging clean technologies that accomplish two different objectives simultaneously, i) separation of the pollutant from a wastewaters stream and, ii) concentration-recovery of the valuable components. Thus, the environmental applications of the technology require the use of two membrane separation steps that are connected through an organic leading phase. There are two separation objectives related to the maximum Cr(VI) composition in the effluent treated and a minimum Cr(VI) composition in the concentrated solution, in order to be reused. The main objective of this work is to quantify the sensitivity of these two compositions and the effluent flow treated with respect to the operating variables. This information help to identify the relative incidence of the operating conditions in the performance of the plant.