NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN SEPARATIONS TECHNOLOGY.

Separation processes account for 40% of the capital cost in plants producing commodity chemicals and may be the dominant cost factor for many of the new biochemicals. The older technologies have been reinvestigated, resulting in better energy efficiencies and process intensification. Newer technologies are continuously being developed. Papers presented at a recent International Conference on Separations Technology held in West Germany in April 1987 provide a good basis on which to assess some of the new developments. Discussed are membrane technology, solvent extraction, surfactants, adsorption and inclusion compounds.