ABSTRACT
The fundamental transport properties, namely permeability and permselectivity, of polymer solution-diffusion membranes in their most important applications are discussed. The applications considered are gas separation, vapor permeation/pervaporation and reverse osmosis. It is emphasized that these physically diverse transport processes may be formulated, and the relevant data analyzed, in a reasonably uniform
and, at the same time, rigorous manner. On the more practical side, attention is focused on the major common physicochemical parameters which govern transport behavior in these processes and the establishment of fundamental principles, which can serve as guidelines for the design of polymeric membrane materials with optimum permeability and permselectivity.
