Abstract
The separation and concentration of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) using a supported liquid membrane (SLM) is investigated. A cation complex agent, di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA), is used as a carrier in the SLM with n-Heptane as a solvent. The reaction order and equilibrium constant in the formation reaction of L-phe-carrier complex are obtained from the extraction experiment. A mathematical model for a carrier mediated counter transport process is proposed to estimate the diffusion coefficient of L-phe-carrier complexly in the liquid membrant. Permeation experiments of L-phe using a SLM are performed under various operating conditions and optimum conditions for the transport of L-phe are obtained. Concentration of L-phe in the strip phase against its concentration is observed. Transport rate of glucose through liquid membrane is less than that of L-phe in the competitive transport of L-phe and glucose. And the existence of glucose reduced the transport rate of L-phe. The performance of separation with continuous strip phase is increased due to the dilution effect in the strip phase.