Membrane technology for the purification of solutions containing cationic surfactants.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cationic surfactant (Tequat LC90i, TEAQ) removal from aqueous solutions with the use of tubular ceramic ultrafiltration and microfiltration modules. Research included an assessment of the feed solution parameters (surfactant concentration, presence of electrolyte) and process conditions (transmembrane pressure and linear velocity) on the transport and separation properties of the membranes. It was found that pressure-driven membrane processes enable cationic surfactants solutions purification – TEAQ retention coefficients exceeded 80%.