Laboratory chemists use distillation to separate small quantities of individual compounds from each other while industrial operators use this process to effect large-scale separations involving complex materials such as liquid foods, beverages, seawater, petroleum products and factory waste streams. Membrane distillation and osmotic distillation are novel, closely related processes that offer several advantages over conventional distillation processes. This book addresses the principles and applications of membrane distillation and osmotic distillation, separation technologies that are gaining increasing attention for a wide range of industrial applications. Written by leading practitioners of these critical distillation methods, Understanding Membrane Distillation and Osmotic Distillation serves as a key resource for readers involved in chemical engineering, food processing, desalination, wastewater treatment or pollution control. Key benefits of this book include: Discussion of wide-ranging applications in the food, brewing, pharmaceuticals, desalination, wastewater treatment and pollution control industries. Consideration of theoretical and practical aspects, economics and the potential for integrated membrane processes to provide solutions to many separation problems. A complete package for researchers and plant operators.