MEMBRANE PROCESSES IN THE CHEMICAL-INDUSTRY

In the chemical industry (less so in the pharmaceutical industry), mem brane technology is still at an early stage of acceptance. However, in this field too, it is gaining increasing importance as an innovative, reliable and, first and foremost, cost-effective alternative to conve ntional processes. This trend is evidenced by a variety of new plants which have been installed in recent years, and also by the rapidly gro wing interest in this technology shown by production and design depart ments. This article gives an overview of the industrial importance of membrane processes in chemical and pharmaceutical production and also presents some typical examples of applications in this field by descri bing plants which have already been installed and are now in productio n.