Membrane technology and applications: an assessment

Abstract

The literature on membrane technology and applications was reviewed and assessed. The report provides an overview of membrane technology, reviews potential applications of membrane technology in several industries, identifies technological deficiencies, and recommends areas for future research and development (R and D). Applications and R and D that will contribute to energy conservation and productivity improvements are emphasized. In the overview of membrane technology, the basic concepts of membrane separations are discussed and the various membrane unit operations are described. Operations, membrane materials and equipment, and engineering aspects are also discussed. The industries considered in the review of membrane applications include mining, primary metal recovery, and fabricated metal products; food processing; textile and leather products; pulp and paper products; hydrocarbon (including synfuels) extraction and refining; the chemical process industries (inorganic chemicals processing, organic chemicals processing, pharmaceutical/biotechnology products); and medical and health care industry. In addition, applications in domestic, municipal, and commercial water treatment and energy conversion are reviewed. The assessment identifies promising applications for energy conservation and productivity improvement in various industries. Six generic process applications are identified: displacement of energy-intensive separations, recycle of sensible heat, recycle of materials, recovery of materials, chemical conversion, and energy conversion.