ABSTRACT
The concept of reactive membrane processes (RMP) or membrane reactors (MR) is discussed briefly in this chapter. It is impossible to cover just in a resumed chapter this technology given the fact that it is the most studied reactive separation process today. So in this chapter just some very marginal aspects of this technology are presented making some specific emphasis on biotechnological and environmental related applications. The definition and classification of reactive membranes or membrane reactors technology is discussed in detail with some emphasis on the arrangement of the membrane in the equipment as basis of any design. Some specific attention is committed to fermentation coupled with membranes as one of the most developed in the future of this technology. Finally the very amazing case for readers is presented based on the publication by Hwang et al. who show a very important application of RMPs for life support in voyages out of the earth to space or even Mars that uses the methanation reaction (Sabatier reaction), where the carbon dioxide reacts with hydrogen in the presence of NiO-MgO catalytic system to produce methane and renewed water for human consumption.
