Emerging Technologies

Liquid membrane technology: fundamentals and review of its applications

  1. M. F. San Román,
  2. E. Bringas,
  3. R. Ibañez,
  4. I. Ortiz*

Article first published online: 14 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1002/jctb.2252

Issue

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Volume 85, Issue 1, pages 2–10, January 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

San Román, M. F., Bringas, E., Ibañez, R. and Ortiz, I. (2010), Liquid membrane technology: fundamentals and review of its applications. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 85: 2–10. doi: 10.1002/jctb.2252

Author Information

  1. Dept. Ingeniería Química y Química Inorgánica, ETSIIyT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain

*Dept. Ingeniería Química y Química Inorgánica, ETSIIyT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda Los Castros s/n, 39005 Santander, Spain.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 14 AUG 2009
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 3 JUL 2009
  4. Manuscript Revised: 24 JUN 2009
  5. Manuscript Received: 6 MAR 2009

Funded by

  • Spanish Ministry of Innovation and Science. Grant Numbers: CTQ2008-5545/PPQ, CTQ2008-00690/PPQ, CTQ2008-3225/PPQ

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Keywords:

  • liquid membrane;
  • transport mechanisms;
  • membrane contactors;
  • hollow fibre

Abstract

OVERVIEW: During the past two decades, liquid membrane technology has grown into an accepted unit operation for a wide variety of separations. The increase in the use of this technology owing to strict environmental regulations and legislation together with the wider acceptance of this technology in preference to conventional separation processes has led to a spectacular advance in membrane development, module configurations, applications, etc.

IMPACT: Liquid membrane technology makes it possible to attain high selectivity as well as efficient use of energy and material relative to many other separation systems. However, in spite of the known advantages of liquid membranes, there are very few examples of industrial applications because of the problems associated with the stability of the liquid membrane.

APPLICATIONS: Liquid membrane technology has found applications in the fields of chemical and pharmaceutical technology, biotechnology, food processing and environmental engineering. On the other hand, its use in other fields, such as in the case of hydrogen separation, the recovery of aroma compounds from fruits, the application of ionic liquids in the membrane formulation, etc., is increasing rapidly. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

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