Author/Authors :
yogarathinam, lukka thuyavan universiti teknologi malaysia - advanced membrane technology research centre (amtec), Johor Bahru, Malaysia , ismail, ahmad fauzi universiti teknologi malaysia - advanced membrane technology research centre (amtec), Johor Bahru, Malaysia , goh, pei sean universiti teknologi malaysia - advanced membrane technology research centre (amtec), Johor Bahru, Malaysia , gangasalam, arthanareeswaran national institute of technology - membrane research laboratory, department of chemical engineering, Tiruchirappalli, India
Abstract :
Membrane separation processes have been deployed for downstream applications in biorefineries. This article discusses the challenges of membrane technology in purification of biofuels such as bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. The significance of membrane technology are discussed towards the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production. The membrane reactors for biodiesel production were also studied. Limitation with respect to each individual processes on biofuel purification were also reported. The major limitation in membrane separation are membrane fouling and concentration polarization. Membrane engineering and process optimization are the viable tools to enhance the performance of membrane. Recently, inorganic nanofillers has significant control in alteration of polymeric membrane characteristics for the improvement of permeability and selectivity. This article would be an insight for researchers to understand the challenges of biorefinery membrane separation.
Keywords :
Biofuels , biorefineries , fouling , membrane modification , membrane technology
