Membrane Separation Technology and Water Resource Recycling—transforming Traditional Processes and Achieving Cleaner Production

Compared to foreign technologies, many traditional industries in my country are major water consumers and wastewater dischargers. Upgrading traditional processes with advanced technologies to reduce energy and water consumption and achieve cleaner production is imperative. Using perfluorosulfonic acid carboxylic acid ion-exchange membrane electrolysis to replace the traditional mercury cathode method and asbestos membrane method for preparing NaOH and chlorine from NaCl aqueous solution offers high current efficiency, low energy consumption, high conversion rate, economical raw materials, high purity, no pollution, and low investment. Replacing ion exchange with RO, electrodialysis (ED), and electro-deionization (EDI) technologies can significantly reduce or even eliminate the discharge of waste acid and alkali and save substantial amounts of washing and regeneration water. Replacing or partially replacing traditional sedimentation and centrifugation processes with ultrafiltration and nanofiltration technologies can purify and concentrate proteins, enzymes, dyes, polysaccharides, and pharmaceutical intermediates, as well as clarify and concentrate fruit juices and tea juices. Replacing or partially replacing traditional distillation with pervaporation (PV) for dehydration and removal of small amounts of volatile components all demonstrate significant water-saving and energy-reducing effects. The promotion of these technologies will undoubtedly play a more significant role in transforming traditional processes and conserving water and reducing pollution.