Abstract: The separation mechanism of emulsion liquid membrane technique is presented. The progress of research in the application of emulsion liquid membrane technique to the recovery and extraction of metal ions, wastewater treatment, powder materials preparation and biomedicine is introduced. The separation performance and the types of membrane solvents, surfactants, internal phase, carriers used in different application researches are discussed in detail. The problems that restrict the commercialization of emulsion liquid membrane technique and it research directions are presented.