ECN has developed an exceptionally stable membrane which can separate liquids, such as water or methanol from a solution rich in organic compounds. This separation can replace distillation in a range of industrial processes, saving up to half of the energy. This new membrane technology is now ready to go to the market.
Van Veen is confident that the HybSi® membrane technology has matured and is ready to play its role in a sustainable industry, as he has shown with this pilot. “ECN is still involved in further development to create a technology push. But the industry is up next, to ensure a market pull. Several parties such as Pervatech is ready to produce the membranes. It is now up to the industrial users to introduce this technology in their processes.”