Removal of Organic Pollutants from Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Streams by Membranes

The advantages of membrane processes over conventional methods for treatment of industrial waste waters are listed and 3 examples are given of the application of membrane processes for this purpose. In one case, a silicone-polyetherimide composite membrane was used to recover hydrocarbon off-gases from the storage and handling of petrol; a diagram of the treatment unit is included. The second example involved removal of organic solvents from waste water by pervaporation, a process relying on differences in membrane permeability and on thermodynamic activity of the solution components to be separated. The third example involved the use of reverse osmosis to treat landfill leachate.