The simultaneous elimination of arsenic and mercury ions via hollow fiber supported liquid membrane and their reaction mechanisms: Experimental and modeling based on DFT and generating function

This study investigates the simultaneous removal of low concentrations of arsenic and mercury ions from synthetic produced water via hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM). Results show that HFSLM can remove both arsenic and mercury ions from synthetic produced water to less than 0.02 and 0.001 mg·L-1, respectively. These final concentrations comply with the wastewater standard of Thailand. Percentages of extraction for arsenic and mercury ions proved to be about 100 %. Those of recovery for arsenic and mercury ions reached 70 % and 75 %, respectively. A quantum model based on density functional theory (DFT) is introduced to analyze the forming and breaking of supramolecular complex species in the processes of extraction and recovery, respectively. Furthermore, the concept of Generating Function is applied to construct a mathematical model for forecasting the potential of removing metal ions via HFSLM. The mathematical model conforms to the experimental data, having an average relative deviation of 5 %. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the transport mechanisms of arsenic and mercury ions.