Towards practical implementations of membrane distillation

Membrane distillation, which combines thermal desalination and porous hydrophobic membrane as non-wetting contact media, is currently gaining increasing important in membrane processes. However, the vast researches and reported publications of membrane distillation (MD) are less followed by its practical/industrial applications. This paper review analyzes the reasons for MD has not widely being implemented in practical/industrial applications. In addition, the strategies towards practical application are presented. Thus, this review will complement previous review of MD papers.

Research highlights▶ This work analyzes the reasons for MD has not widely being implemented in practical/industrial applications. ▶ The main part of this paper is organized into tools for strategy development and practical/industrial applications as well as recent developments with relevance to industrial/practical applications. ▶ The fundamental of the process and factor affecting process performance and historical development of MD are discussed briefly. ▶ This paper is not comprehensive review but rather discusses important aspects for practical applications.