Removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous compounds from two-component aqueous solutions by micellar enhanced ultrafiltration

The micellar enhanced ultrafiltration of model aqueous solutions containing inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous compounds was studied. In the experiments, cellulose membranes of 5, 10 and 30 kDa molecular weight cut-off and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant were used. The concentration of CTAB amounted to 2 and 3CMC (critical micelle concentration). The influence of surfactant concentration, membrane cut-off and operating pressure on permeate flux, as well as on nitrate and phosphate separation was evaluated. The results showed that the presence of both nitrates and phosphates caused deterioration of the retention coefficient in comparison to separation efficiency achieved for one-component solutions.