Predispersed solvent extraction( PDSE ) is a new method for separating solutes from aqueous solution by solvent extraction showing promise for efficient and quick extraction from extremely dilute solution.The use of colloidal liquid aphrons in predispersed solvent extraction may ameliorate the problems such as emulsion formation

reduction of interfacial mass transfer and low interfacial mass transfer areas in solvent extraction process.In the present work

colloidal liquid aphrons were successfully generated by using kerosene as a solvent

tributyl phosphate(TBP) as an extractant

sodium dodecyl benzene sulphate(SDBS) as a surfactant in aqueous phase and Tween-80 in oil phase. Colloidal gas aphrons were generated by using hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(HTAB). Extraction of phenol from dilute solution was studied by using colloidal liquid aphrons and colloidal gas aphrons in a semi-batch extraction column.The effect of pH

surfactant concentration

phase volume ratio on the extraction efficiency of PDSE process was studied.Calculations of mass transfer coefficients of both CLA and conventional liquid droplets revealed that CLA has much higher mass transfer coefficient of the dispersed phase.The PDSE process has a great advantage over traditional single-stage extraction process in Kda.