Recovery of metal ions using polymer-surfactant aggregate process

This book introduces a novel metallic ions removal and recovery process from industrial process and effluent streams called polymer-surfactant aggregate process or homogenous ion exchange. It makes use of simple chemicals (polymer and surfactant) to form charged substrates able to remove metal ions from solution. The substrates then coalesece and settle out. The ions are recovered as a concentrated salt, and the substrate is recycled. The process is simple, uses low energy, and is essentially regenerable with zero material loss or discharge. The potential applications of this novel process include but not limited to separation and purification of metallic ions in aqueous streams for value recovery and environmental remediation purposes.