“Permeation Membranes” —An Emergence of Non-Conventional Separation Technology

Abstract

Membrane separation processes represent an attractive alternative to conventional separation methods. The permeation membrane technology is revolutionising the chemical industry with its far reaching consequences. Because of their potential for both low capital cost and high energy efficiency, membrances are emerging as a viable alterative to the traditional separation methods.

Commercial membranes are. available today for specific applications in processes such as reverse asmosis, dialy, microfiltration, ultrafiltration and gas separations. The ealier disadvantage of membrances, i.e.low fluxes has been overcome in many cases by using hollow fibre modules which pack a large are into a small into a small volume (Ref.5, pg.6)

Techniques like facilitated transport, charged membrances and use of solid absorbents have increased the membrance selectivity and added a new dimension to this technology. On the gas front, installation of a gas treatment membrance sustem is known to reduce trearment costs by as much as 85%.