5.3 Stimuli-Responsive Membranes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Abstract This chapter discusses about the role of membrane processes, namely,
microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis in the field of
bioprocess engineering. Membrane processes are widely accepted and used techniques in separation and filtration applications because of their unique and beneficial
properties, such as low cost, environment friendliness, ease to scale up, ease to
integrate with other processes, and compactness. Therefore, their use and implementation in various fields of bioprocess engineering helps in saving a lot of energy
and resources. The basic concept and fundamentals along with the classification of
different types of membranes and membrane systems are explained with suitable
examples. The important applications of membrane technology in various fields of
bioprocess engineering, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, are also
discussed along with their advantages over other conventional separation techniques. The main applications where membrane processes proved their worth are
virus purification, sterilization of heat labile products, concentration of food and
dairy products, separation and filtration of racemic and azeotropic mixtures, fruit
juice clarification, and beer and wine production. Hence, this chapter provides
complete details about the importance, applications, and benefits of membrane
technology in the field of bioprocess engineering.
Keywords Bioprocess engineering, Membrane separation processes, Membrane
systems, Membrane technology, Separation and filtration
1 Introduction
The basic definition of a membrane states that a membrane is a thin barrier present
between two phases that allow selective passage of components under the influence
of an appropriate driving force [1]. Initially, membranes are employed on analytical
scale; however, the advancements in the field of membrane science increase their use
in commercial processes. These advancements and developments in membrane
technology brought a dramatic change in the field of separation science due to the
exceptional advantages associated with membrane separation processes. The conventional separation processes are failed by membrane separation processes due to
their ease to use, no additional chemical requirements, exceptional product quality,
energy efficiency, effectiveness, economical, and environment friendliness. Nowadays, membranes are widely used in various industries and processes, such as food,
2
R. Singh et al.
6 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Abstract This chapter discusses about the role of membrane processes, namely,
microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis in the field of
bioprocess engineering. Membrane processes are widely accepted and used techniques in separation and filtration applications because of their unique and beneficial
properties, such as low cost, environment friendliness, ease to scale up, ease to
integrate with other processes, and compactness. Therefore, their use and implementation in various fields of bioprocess engineering helps in saving a lot of energy
and resources. The basic concept and fundamentals along with the classification of
different types of membranes and membrane systems are explained with suitable
examples. The important applications of membrane technology in various fields of
bioprocess engineering, such as food, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, are also
discussed along with their advantages over other conventional separation techniques. The main applications where membrane processes proved their worth are
virus purification, sterilization of heat labile products, concentration of food and
dairy products, separation and filtration of racemic and azeotropic mixtures, fruit
juice clarification, and beer and wine production. Hence, this chapter provides
complete details about the importance, applications, and benefits of membrane
technology in the field of bioprocess engineering.
Keywords Bioprocess engineering, Membrane separation processes, Membrane
systems, Membrane technology, Separation and filtration
1 Introduction
The basic definition of a membrane states that a membrane is a thin barrier present
between two phases that allow selective passage of components under the influence
of an appropriate driving force [1]. Initially, membranes are employed on analytical
scale; however, the advancements in the field of membrane science increase their use
in commercial processes. These advancements and developments in membrane
technology brought a dramatic change in the field of separation science due to the
exceptional advantages associated with membrane separation processes. The conventional separation processes are failed by membrane separation processes due to
their ease to use, no additional chemical requirements, exceptional product quality,
energy efficiency, effectiveness, economical, and environment friendliness. Nowadays, membranes are widely used in various industries and processes, such as food,
2
R. Singh et al.