| Abstract: In a process for transferring solute from a liquid feed solution to a liquid extractant which is substantially immiscible with the feed solution, one side of a porous membrane is contacted with the feed solution and the other side of the membrane with the extractant. One of the feed solution or the extractant preferentially wets the porous membrane. An interface-immobilizing pressure difference is maintained across the porous membrane in a direction and of a magnitude effective to oppose the tendency of the liquid which preferentially wets the membrane to flow through the membrane and disperse in the liquid on the opposite side. The interface between the feed solution and the extractant is thereby immobilized at the porous membrane. |
