PREFACE
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 4, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: May 21, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0153.pr001
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his volume is the result of a symposium honoring Drs. Sidney Loeb and S. Sourirajan on the 20th anniversary of their discovery of the first functionally useful reverse osmosis membrane. Both of these esteemed gentlemen participated as plenary speakers and described not only how their membrane originated but also reviewed membrane theory and put the membrane field into present and future perspective. During this four-day symposium membrane experts from 13 countries participated in paying tribute to these fine scientists and 55 papers were presented covering a vast spectrum of current membrane uses. All but four of these papers are included in this symposium series. The large number of papers necessitated publication in two volumes. This first volume, covering 27 papers, is dedicated to desalination in the areas of (1) membrane genesis and theory, (2) commercial use, (3) modified and composite membranes, and (4) noncellulosic membranes. The second volume covers membrane usage in food, medical, and biopolymer fields and in the separation of gases and organic solutes from waste streams. The commercial and growth potential of reverse osmosis can be appreciated best by realizing that there are presently over 300 membrane plants in operation economically supplying millions of gallons of potable water throughout the world. Japan alone now is producing over 21 M G D (80,000 m /d) with the largest single reverse osmosis plant delivering over 3.5 M G D . Similar situations exist in Israel and Saudi Arabia. This past May the Florida Aqueduct Authority broke ground for a 3 M G D facility. 3
When technology such as this exists it is difficult to understand why, for example, many cities throughout the world suffer drought alerts and water-rationing fears while mighty rivers nearby daily spew untold billions of gallons of water into the ocean. As politics begins to catch up with technology, reverse osmosis will be one area that justifiably will expand. With each such expansion our debt to and appreciation of the pioneering contributions of Drs. Loeb and Sourirajan will develop even deeper meaning. It was a real pleasure to have been part of this tribute and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the participants for their wonderful spirit of cooperation in making this occasion such a great success. ALBIN F . TURBAK
I.T.T. Rayonier Inc. Eastern Research Division Whippany, NJ 07981 December 24, 1980. vii
Turbak; Synthetic Membranes: ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 4, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: May 21, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0153.pr001
S. Sourirajan,
Albin Turbak,
and Sidney Loeb
Turbak; Synthetic Membranes: ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
DEDICATION
Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 4, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: May 21, 1981 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1981-0153.pr001
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wenty years ago two researchers laboring diligently at the University of California at Los Angeles developed the first modified asymmetric membranes which seemed to have commercial potential for what was to become the exciting field that today is known as hyperfiltration or reverse osmosis. Since that time, these dedicated scientists have given freely of themselves and their talents not only to further contribute technically, but also to help guide, teach, and train others to grow in this frontier area. It is little wonder then that so many contributors from so many countries throughout the world responded so enthusiastically to the initial announcement regarding the organization of a symposium to recognize, honor, and pay tribute to Drs. Sidney Loeb and S. Sourirajan on the 20th anniversary of their initial contribution. From the beginning it was apparent that this four-day symposium covering a seeming myriad of membrane information and uses would be one of the major events of the Fall 1980 Las Vegas A.C.S. National Meeting. This symposium, highlighted by plenary lectures from Drs. Loeb and Sourirajan, had an outstanding attendance. Even on the fourth day there were still more people attending this symposium than normally are present for the initial phases of most other sessions. This in itself says more than anyone could say regarding the universal interest in membranes and the high esteem in which Sid Loeb and S. Sourirajan are held by their peers throughout the world. Today their initial work on the preparation of suitable asymmetric membranes has touched nearly every aspect of life including uses in water purification, food technology, biological separations, waste treatment, medical applications, and bioengineering, and this appears to be just the beginning. I know that I speak for all of their many friends when I take this opportunity to wish Drs. Loeb and Sourirajan continued good health and, if possible, even more success in their future research and development efforts. A L B I N F. T U R B A K
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Turbak; Synthetic Membranes: ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1981.
