ABSTRACT
Diseases associated with water used for drinking purposes continue to occur. Numerous technologies exist for treating industrial wastewater. These technologies range from simple clarification in a settling pond to a complex system of advanced technologies requiring sophisticated equipment and skilled operators. Finding the proper technology or combination of technologies adequate to treat a particular wastewater to meet federal and local requirements and yet still be cost-effective can be a challenging task. Membrane processes today are state-of-the-art separation technologies that show continued promise for technical growth and wide-scale commercialization. The need for membrane research and development (R&D) is important because of the increasing use of membrane technology in traditional and emerging engineering fields. Membrane technology is also being looked at as either a replacement for or supplement to traditional separations, such as distillation or extraction. The membrane is selective since it permits the transport of certain species while rejecting others.
