Separation of gases via carbonized vinylidene chloride copolymer gas separation membranes and processes therefore

A method of making a carbonized polyvinylidene chloride copolymer useful to separate an olefin from its corresponding paraffin comprising,

• (a) providing a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber having a thickness of 1 micrometer to 20 micrometers,
• (b) heating the polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber to a pretreatment temperature of 100° C. to 180° C. while restraining the polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber by applying a force to form a pretreated polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber, and
• (c) heating the pretreated polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber to a maximum pyrolysis temperature from 350° C. to 750° C. while restraining the pretreated polyvinylidene chloride copolymer film or hollow fiber by applying a force.

A process for separating an olefin from a gas mixture having the olefin's corresponding paraffin, the process comprising

• (i) providing a carbonized polyvinylidene chloride copolymer membrane having a thickness of 1 micrometer to 20 micrometers and an average pore size greater than the olefin or paraffin as determined by gas permeation employing gas probe molecules of differing sizes;
• and
• (ii) flowing the gas mixture through said carbonized polyvinylidene chloride copolymer membrane to produce a permeate first stream having an increased concentration of the olefin and a second retentate stream having an increased concentration of its corresponding paraffin.