2.3 Nanofiltration Operations in Nonaqueous Systems

Nanofiltration is a pressure-driven membrane process used to remove solutes with molecular weight in the range of 200–2000 g mol−1, typically from aqueous streams. A relatively recent innovation is the extension of nanofiltration (NF) processes to organic solvents (OSs)—an emerging technology referred to as organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). Separation of molecules present in OSs by NF has great potential in industries ranging from refining to fine chemical and pharmaceutical synthesis, and OSN is currently an area of intensive investigation. This article summarizes the most recent developments in the field of OSN.