RETENTION AND SEPARATION OF SOME ORGANIC-WATER POLLUTANTS WITH UNLOADED AND TRI-N-OCTYLAMINE LOADED POLYESTER-BASED POLYURETHANE FOAMS

The analytical utility of unloaded and polyester-based polyurethane loaded foams with tri-n-octylamine (TOA) in the removal of some phenols from water were carried out. In static mode, the TOA-loaded foams showed a good affinity of extraction towards the tested compounds as compared to the untreated foams. The various parameters affecting the retention efficiency of the tested compounds from aqueous media by the foam were examined via batch technique. The TOA-loaded foams were employed in column modes for the extraction and recovery of the tested phenols. The retention efficiency and the recovery of the tested compounds from the loaded foam column were up to 98.5%. Sorption of the compounds by the foam were brought by solvent extraction mechanism. The molecular weight and the pK(a) of the compounds play an important role in the extraction process. The height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) of the TOA-foam column was found in the range 1.8-2.05 +/- 0.1 mm at flow-rates up to 10 cm3/min. Separation of some of the tested phenols was also carried out by the TOA-foam columns. The membrane properties of the polyester foam sorbents give unique advantages over conventional granular sorbents in rapid, versatile and effective separations and preconcentrations of the tested compounds.