Chapter 8: Commercial Applications of Membranes in Gas Separations

Membrane-based gas separation systems are widely used for the generation, separation and purification of gases across a broad spectrum of industry. They are now widely accepted and employed as a unit operation in industrial gas, chemical, petroleum and allied industries. Membrane modules and systems supply and, performance reliability is now more assured than ever before by the membrane producers. Membrane technology has also been added in to curriculum of several undergraduate/graduate engineering programs. Together, all this has made gas separation membrane unit operation as an additional tool in the process engineer's tool box. This chapter describes commercial applications of membranes in gas separations. In addition, it addresses the critical needs in the development of this technology and some of the factors which are impeding growth of gas separation membranes. Multi-stage and hybrid processes using membranes and their future prospects are also discussed. Finally, a perspective on the further commercial growth of gas separation membrane applications is projected.