by Scott Wittwer, Graver Technologies
and David Dubbin, GEA Process Engineering Ltd
Brief History of Membrane Filtration
Although membrane filtration is regarded understandably as a relatively new technology the first documented industrial installation dates back to 1863 when dialysis was introduced into the sugar industry. Dialysis is the most simple of the membrane separation techniques not being pressure driven, and generally was based on the use of pigs bladder.
This innovation did not however prove successful and it was not until the 1950s that pressure driven membrane process were considered viable as a means of fractionation.
The first RO membranes with reasonable fluxes and permeabilities were produced at University of California from cellulose acetate in 1960 and the US Government quickly became aware of their potential for use in sea water desalination.
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