Risk management for industrial adoption of membrane technology

Chemical engineers continually strive to produce high purity chemicals and materials with the minimum of inputs. However, many processes currently used in separations require significant energy expenditure and capital intensive processes that require phase transitions. Emerging technologies for liquid-liquid separations that avoid these transitions are desirable from an energy cost perspective. Membranes present an enticing separation technique; nonetheless, like all technologies there is a significant amount of technology vetting and derisking that must occur before adoption. This article reviews opportunities where membranes can be used for liquid separations and discusses the derisking process that must occur for commercial acceptance.