ABSTRACT
A membrane contactor (MC) can be generically described as a separation device where immiscible phases, such as a gas and a liquid, are brought in contact with each other to drive mass transfer between phases. The earliest and currently the most common use of membrane contactors is in gas-liquid contacting processes and equipment. Membrane contactor devices have been commercially available for more than two decades now. Use of MC technology has grown steadily over the years and the technology has been deployed in many industrial processes at commercial scale. Processes using MC technology are employed in various industries. They include Microelectronics, Steam and Power, Beverage, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Inks and Coatings, Oil and Gas, Lab and Analytical, and Environmental Abatements. This chapter discusses multiple use applications of membrane contactors in these industries. For better organization of the subject matter the chapter has been arranged and grouped by separate industries. Where available, emphasis has been put on illustrating actual installations in place.
