Comparative study of solvent extraction and supported liquid membrane for the extraction of gallium (III) from chloride solution using organophosphorus acids as extractants

The transport of Ga(III) from chloride solution by supported liquid membrane (SLM) using organophosphorus acids as carriers was studied and compared with solvent extraction results. The diffusion coefficient, permeability coefficient and mass transfer resistance for both processes were analyzed by investigating various parameters, such as flow pattern, flow rate, pH, Ga(III)/extractant concentration and temperature. Under optimized conditions, the extraction percentage of 97.0% and permeability coefficient of 9.22 × 10−6 m/s was achieved for SLM process. Kinetic modeling was proposed to determine the mass diffusion coefficient of Ga(III) complex across the membrane and stability of this SLM system was also examined.