ABSTRACT
Separation processes play vital roles in the successful functioning of industries through isolation of products, recovery of reactants and recycle of wastewater. With wide scope for rendering efficient and sustainable processes, membrane technology is emerging as an energy saving alternative to cumbersome conventional unit operations, such as distillation, absorption, and evaporation, due to an absence of phase change in most membrane processes. The rapid development of newer membranes and processes takes a paradigm shift in demonstrating their application in sustainable development. Owing to inherent advantages of enhanced economy, process safety and environmental benignity, membranes have provided an indispensable platform, mainly in the field of water purification, sea and brackish water desalination besides industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. Massive advancements in membrane materials and module configurations have paved the way for sustainable growth. The scope and opportunities of membrane technologies in water and energy conservation is dealt by analyzing state-of-the-art and future potential. Transformation of membrane properties has only begun to evolve and will be applied to a variety of membrane surfaces in the future, thereby completely changing system design and operating guidelines. This chapter helps to envisage the requirement of significant innovations in both industrial processes and products, to conserve energy and facilitate zero liquid discharge. Recent advancements made in various membrane processes relevant to current separation challenges faced by industry and society are discussed.
