Abstract: Electrostatic pseudo liquid membrane(ESPLIM)separation process,developed recently in this laboratory,is a novel chemical separation technology.ESPLIM is an interdisciplinary technology evolved from thecombination of solvent extraction,liquid membrane and electrostatic techniques.It can be used to separate,purify and concentrate specific solutes from aqueous solutions.Therefore,it is suitable for the recovery ofvaluable metals from aqueous solutions in the field of hydrometallurgy(including nuclear fuel cycles)and forthe processes of waste water treatment.This paper discusses the basic principles of this new technology.Taking the extraction of Co~(2+)by D2EHPA as an example,effects on metal extraction of electrical fieldstrength,extractant concentration and the flow ratio of feed to stripping solution have been studied.Exper-iments show that the once through extraction efficiency of Co~(2+)can reach 99% while Co~(2+)can be concen-trated up to 40—50g/L in the stripping solution.