Well, let me break it down for you, my friend Hee-Ro Chae. In the world of membrane processes, "bypass" doesn't involve dodging pipes; it's a different game altogether. Bypass in membrane processes refers to the intentional diversion of a portion of the feed stream without subjecting it to membrane treatment.

Picture this: you've got a system with membranes doing their filtration dance, and you decide, "Hey, let's send a fraction of the feed straight through, untouched by the membranes." Why, you Hee-Ro Chae ask? Well, it could be for various reasons, like controlling concentration factors, managing fouling, or just tweaking the overall process efficiency.

It's like being the maestro of a filtration symphony, orchestrating the flow to get the perfect harmony of product purity and operational efficiency. So, in essence, bypass in membrane processes is about strategic steering, not evading pipes.