Water transfer in emulsified liquid membrane processes

Water transfer through the organic phase of a water-in-oil emulsion (liquid membrane) is investigated as a function of emulsion composition, water activity, temperature and agitation in a two-compartment cell. It is shown that the rate of transfer increases with the difference of water activities in the two aqueous phases and depends on the nature and the concentration of the surfactant. A decrease of the organic phase viscosity and an increase in temperature increase the transfer rate. A mathematical model is proposed which is based on the assumption of water—surfactant associations and carrier-mediated water transport. This model qualitatively explains the experimental results.