Introduction to the implications of membrane processes

In a book published by Elsevier in 1995 , E. Sackmann writes: "Life in all its diversity only became possible after nature discovered the membrane. This tool represents the barrier needed to protect living entities from the harmful effects of their inert and hostile environment, while guaranteeing the necessary highly selective exchanges between the two worlds... The reduction of the tool's geometry to two dimensions ensures considerable efficiency, offering the possibility of irreversible charge separation and transient energy storage via the development of electrochemical potential gradients". Biological membranes represent the ultimate achievement of today's research and technological developments in the field of artificial membranes. Together with enzymatic catalysis, they form the basis of all living models, and are therefore a guarantee of the most sustainable development possible.

In principle , artificial membrane technologies offer considerable advantages in terms of green chemistry objectives:

• Isothermal operations are characterized by improved energy efficiency, greater safety and better quality of the products processed (particularly if they are fragile, such as organic products);

• as they do not require the use of solvents (except for the cleaning of installations outside the production cycle), they contribute to a reduction in the use of solvents and healthier finished products;

• by working at the molecular or ionic level, they enable a more rational use of materials;

• their modularity means greater on-line control of performance and greater plant reliability...

These are just some of the arguments that could be multiplied,...