Process for the purification of non-reacting gases

In a regenerative process for the purification of an inert or a non-reacting industrial gas stream by the removal of trace amounts of carbon dioxide therefrom comprising contacting said gas stream with an essentially non-aqueous liquid solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of;

• (a) hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium, potassium and lithium and (b) liquid aliphatic polyhydric alcohol having a carbon to oxygen ratio of 1 to about 5 and at least two oxygen thereof being separated by not more than the two sequential carbon atoms;
• separating the purified industrial gas from the reaction products of said contacting step including said solution;
• increasing said reaction products stream to an elevated temperature up to 200.degree. C.;
• reducing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the vapor phase above said reaction product stream;
• separating carbon dioxde from said reaction product stream;
• and recycling the treated reaction product stream to said liquid solution for contacting a further quantity of said industrial gas stream.