3. Other issues and prospects

3.1 Coupling operations

The few examples already given are just a small sample of the vast fields of application opened up by the use of membrane technologies in coupling with other separation and/or reaction operations. Suffice it to say here that various functions can be envisaged for the coupled membrane:

• synergistic performance enhancement of each individual operation;

• participation in the creation of a new concept ;

• installation of pre-treatment... ;

The ultimate aim is to optimize overall performance in terms of intensification and minimization of environmental impact.

Today, there is another type of coupling...