**3. Desalination membranes and research needs**

#### **3.1 Desalination membranes**

Desalination membranes are started with the cellulose acetate based materials initially. But due to their low compatibility for certain conditions such as high temperature and pH, better membranes based on aromatic polyamide became popular in later stages. To meet the large flow requirements, Thin Film composites were developed. TFCs are prepared by interfacial polymerisation on surface of porous support and operate in wide range of pH. The typical section view and surface chemistry of TFCs are as shown in **Figure 3** below.

#### **3.2 Research needs**

Various process streams in front-end/back-end of the nuclear fuel cycle are being treated at present by conventional unit operations. With available spectrum of membrane technologies today, it is pertinent to deploy these technologies either as stand-alone or as integrated processes or hybridised with conventional processes for selective separation of active species, particularly in low active process streams/ wastes in addition to desalination purpose. Membranes have a definite life and deteriorates thereafter and hence unable to offer sustained quantity and quality output as desired by design. Disposal of the used membranes, hitherto not attended and cared for could prove to be a major bottleneck in the propagation of mass use of *Desalination Membrane Management DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99723*

**Figure 3.** *Cross sectional view and surface chemistry of typical desalination membranes.*

membranes as normal incineration like many other organic wastes could prove to be difficult due to complexity of off-gas treatment and generation of large volume of secondary aqueous wastes and their management. Strategies needs to be developed based on Best Available Technologies (BAT). The various polymer recycling techniques are shown in **Figure 4** below.

**Figure 4.** *Polymer recycling techniques.*
