Rapid Optimization of Chemical Parameters Affecting Supported Liquid Membranes

Supported liquid membranes (SLMs) provide a flexible and selective approach to the separation and enrichment of chemical species. Traditional methods used to optimize the chemical and physical parameters of an SLM system have been found to be tedious and cumbersome. An alternative approach is suggested, and the application of the approach is demonstrated. The proposed approach depends on the optimization of principally the chemical components, with an indication of the impact of physical components on a scaled-down membrane arrangement. An in-situ measurement technique is used to monitor the effect of key parameters on important performance criteria.