Monitoring and Visualizing Membrane-Based Processes

Membrane based processes have found a widespread application in all areas of industry ranging from separation processes, hybrid processes where separation is coupled with other unit operations, to the use of membranes on emulsification or controlled drug release. To continuously improve the performa [...]
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Membrane based processes have found a widespread application in all areas of industry ranging from separation processes, hybrid processes where separation is coupled with other unit operations, to the use of membranes on emulsification or controlled drug release. To continuously improve the performance of membrane based processes, there is a need to understand the phenomena occurring in the fluid and also within the membrane. Therefore, the use of techniques that can extend the current knowledge on membrane processes will enhance their efficiency. There is an extensive set of monitoring and visualization techniques that serve that purpose; ranging from the monitoring of fluxes or concentration evolution, to microscopic observations of membranes after processing. However, the current trends in membrane monitoring processes are called upon to find and apply on-line monitoring techniques that will make it possible to gather information that is not available by any other means.
This much-needed critical review of these main monitoring techniques conveys profound knowledge of their fundamentals, possibilities and limits, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, clearly demonstrating which technique is most suitable for a given process. A practical approach is adopted throughout, providing case studies for the monitoring of selected membrane-based processes.
After an introductory section, the book goes on to look at optical and electronic microscopic techniques, followed by electrical, laser and acoustic techniques, and finishes off with process-oriented monitoring techniques.