Membrane technology in the refinery and petrochemical field, research trends and recent progresses

Membrane systems combine environmental and economic sustainability. Membrane operations can replace or can be integrated with conventional separation techniques (e.g., distillation, absorption, adsorption, and extraction). Their benefits, like modularity, low footprint, low energy intensity, no moving parts, and no need for solvents, are particularly appealing in the present situation of diminishing natural resources. Stringent environmental standards favored the implementation of the membrane technology in the petrochemical/refinery processes.2 Typical applications in this area are quite demanding, requiring specifically developed materials, with stable performance and enhanced resistance. Current research trends and recent progresses in this field are addressed in this article. Novel strategies, as the synthesis of nanostructured materials or of nanocomposites, pursued to increase the performance of polymeric materials will be described. Membrane systems are discussed, considering the prospects that they offer to intensify such an energy intensive sector. New opportunities for a novel greener engineering are presented.