This book presents the lectures which were given during the Comett II Course on Advanced Separation Technology for Industrial Waste Minimization: Environmental and Analytical Aspects. Due to the interest in new environmental solutions, the European Community organises educational and training activities of which the Comett Course is an example. The development of efficient membrane separation techniques has enlarged their field of application in all sectors of industry. Today these membrane technologies are the most advanced and innovative molecular separation units able to contribute to the rationalisation of industrial production, minimizing environmental impacts by realizing pollution controlled cycles. Throughout the book, emphasis is given to the potentiality of membrane operations in wastewater management. Real case studies are described as well as practical solutions. The following topics are covered: existing membrane processes and new perspectives; industrial development of membrane modules; applications to the pulp and paper industry, textile industry, metal-finishing, tanneries, agro-food and food industries; biotechnological applications; purification of landfill leachates; and advances in analytical techniques. The book is for engineers, researchers, technical managers and graduate students.

This publication presents the lectures given at the course on Advanced Separation Technology for Industrial Waste Minimization: Environmental and Analytical Aspects (13-15 October, 1992, Ispra, Italy) organized jointly by the Technical University of Lisbon, University of Calabria and the Environment Institute of the Joint Research Centre of the Commission of the European Communities at Ispra. This course is integrated in a programme for education and training in Advanced Separation Technology for Industrial Waste Minimization supported by the Community Action Programme for Education and Training for Technology (COMETT II). The lecture material is based on case studies of importance to textile, tanneries, pulp and paper, metal finishing and electroplating, food, and other industries. Environmental regulations have lead industrial engineers to search for more efficient, less energy consuming and less waste producing processes. Membrane-based separation processes contributed to recover water, raw materials and energy and to achieve simultaneously pollution control. Along this book emphasis will be given to this fast growing area of process technology.