Lead(II) and cadmium(II) solvent extraction (SX) with D2EHPA dissolved in heptane and kerosene from aqueous chloride media was studied. Extraction reaction stoichiometries and extraction equilibrium constants were evaluated. Application of a dispersion-free membrane-based extraction and stripping technique with two hollow-fiber contactors under recirculating operation mode allowed a quantitative ( > 97%) removal of lead from the aqueous solution in the extraction module with a separation factor of 19 and a 62% recovery in the back-extraction module with a separation factor of 6.3 after 7 h under optimum conditions. Mass-transfer coefficients for the system were evaluated. Optimal conditions for transport and separation are reported and compared using SX and the membrane-based technique. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.