The role of mass transfer in membrane systems

Abstract

Membranes are situated in the foreground among the considerably popular treatment systems in the last years. The use of membranes was become widespread in many fields such as drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment and obtaining drinking water from sea water. The predominance of membranes against the classical systems regarding the wastewater treatment, and the decreasing cost of membrane materials each day provided these systems to enter among the preferable options. There are considerably different types of membranes. Microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are the processes drawing most attention. One of the most important considerations in membrane processes is the amount of constituents passing from the membrane and rejecting by the membrane. Mass transfer concept arises in this place. Mass transfer is a critically important case used in the design of treatment systems and the estimation of efficiency. In addition to the points mentioned above, investigation of mass transfer occurring in membranes is important in comparing of different membrane types. In this review article, general information about the membranes, membrane types, uses of membranes and module designs are given, concept of mass transfer is viewed and the mass transfer processes realizing in these treatment systems are assessed.