Abstract: This paper summarizes the basic principles of residence time distribution (RTD) technique and its applications in membrane separations. It introduces in detail the research processes of RTD application in microfiltration，nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. The most important research field is spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane module. It also introduces RTD research progresses in characterizing flow patterns of membrane modules and optimizing their performance. The paper demonstrates fields in which RTD technology can be applied. For example，the membrane companies can optimize membrane module design; membrane engineering companies can select the best membrane modules; membrane customers can detect and diagnose the fact of fouling and scaling within membrane modules. Meanwhile，it presents the future research and development of RTD technology as well.

摘要： 综述了停留时间分布（RTD）技术的基本原理及其在膜分离应用中的研究进展。总结了RTD技术在微滤膜、纳滤膜和反渗透膜中的应用，特别介绍了在卷式反渗透膜浓水侧的RTD响应信号。综述了RTD技术在表征膜器内流体流动和优化膜器性能方面的应用，指出了RTD技术可以应用的领域，如优化膜器设计、筛选性能最优的膜组件、检测膜系统运行中污染和结垢情况等。同时对RTD技术的发展作了展望。