Preconcentration and Separation of Phenols from Water by Polyurethane Foams

Abstract

Abstract The application of untreated and polyurethane foams treated with tributylphosphate (TBP) in the preconcentration of some phenols from water via static and flow experiments was carried out. Batch experiments with the TBP-loaded foams showed a good affinity toward extraction of the tested compounds as compared to the untreated foams. The use of the unloaded and TBP loaded foams was also employed in column modes for the preconcentration of the phenols used. The effect of extraction media, phenol concentration, time of shaking, temperature, sample volume, ionic strength, eluting solvent, and flow rate on the retention efficiency of the compounds by the foam were investigated. The extraction efficiency of the compounds by the foam were investigated. The extraction efficiency and the recovery of the compounds from the foam material by the column were obtained up to 100%. Sorption of the compounds by the foam was brought by a solvent extraction mechanism. The pK a and the molecular weight of the absorbates play an important role in the sorption process. The height equivalent to theoretical plates (HETP) for the foam column were obtained from the Glueckauf equation and the breakthrough capacity curve, and were found to equal 1.8–2.05 mm at flow rates up to 10 cm3·min−1. Attempts were also made to separate some of the tested phenols by dynamic techniques.