摘要 |
<p>A method of extracting metal ions from aqueous solutions comprises passing a feed aqueous solution (10) containing said metal ions through the hollow cores of a first plurality (A) of inert microporous hollow fibre membranes, said hollow fibre membranes being disposed in an electrically conducting organic liquid phase (14) containing a ligand which is capable of combining with the said metal ions; passing a strip aqueous solution (12) through the hollow cores of a second plurality (B) of inert microporous hollow fibre membranes which is also disposed in said organic liquid phase; applying an electrical potential between electrodes (7, 9) situated respectively in the said feed aqueous solution and said strip aqueous solution downstream of the respective pluralities of hollow fibre membranes so as to cause transfer of said metal ions from said feed solution to said ligand in said organic liquid phase and thereafter to said strip solution through the microporous walls of the respective pluralities of hollow fibre membranes. An apparatus for performing the method is described.</p> |