Filled membranes for separation of polar from non-polar gases

Claim 1

The process which comprises passing a mixture of gases across a first side of a gas permeable, filled pore membrane at a pressure higher than that which obtains on the second side of said membrane, said membrane comprising: (a) a porous membrane, the pores of which have a size of from about 5 angstroms to about 10 microns, and (b) a substantially non-aqueous composition filling said pores, said composition comprising: (i) a polar organic solvent of low volatility and having a boiling point of at least about 150° C., said solvent consisting of at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkane polyglycol of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a poly(alkyleneoxy) of an alkane glycol of 2 to 4 carbon atoms having a molecular weight up to 600; and (ii) at least one gas carrier component selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of weak acids having a pK at 25° C. exceeding 2.0, amines, and (hydroxy lower alkyl)amines, said amines and (hydroxy lower alkyl)amines having low volatility and a boiling point of at least about 150° C., whereby gases in said mixture which react with said gas carrier component diffuse preferentially to said second side of said membrane.