Transport of Uranium(VI) through a Supported Liquid Membrane Containing LIX 63

Abstract

The carrier transport of U(VI) has been studied by means of the liquid membrane of LIX 63 (HR) held on a porous support. U was effectively transported from the dilute feed solution (pH = 4–5) to the product solution of 0.1 M H₂SO₄. Its concentration in the feed decreased according to [U]_{f, t} = [U]_{f, o} exp (-^k _obs ^t). The apparent rate constant (^k _obs) increased with an increase in carrier concentration up to 0.05 M, but it became nearly constant in the range of [HR] = 0.05–0.2 M. The rate of transport was inversely proportional to the feed volume. More than 99% of U was recovered and the final concentration ratio in the product to the feed ([U]_p/[U]_f) exceeded 10³.