This document provides an overview of membrane distillation, including: - A brief history noting its first proposal in 1967 in Greece and early research in India in the 1970s. - An explanation of the basic principle of using a hydrophobic membrane to allow vapor transport but prevent liquid transport for distillation. - A description of the main types of membrane modules and common membrane materials used. - Details on the heat and mass transfer processes during membrane distillation and equations governing vapor flux. - Advantages of membrane distillation like high rejection rates and low energy costs compared to disadvantages like low permeate flux. - Potential applications in water purification and food industries. - A conclusion that membrane