Membrane distillation - an assessment

Abstract In recent years a number of membrane distillation systems have reached the development stage (refs. 1 and 2) and one or two have got as far as being offered commercially. This paper reports on an experimental assessment of the process carried out in the laboratory, and, in the light of these results, reviews the likely merits and limitations of such processes, attempting to set them in context and to assess their potential. Whilst the technical basis of the process, in terms of the production of high-purity water, has been verified, there appear to be serious doubts about its economic viability.