Process for separating components of a multi-component feed stream

1. A process for separating a multi-component feed stream into fractions comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a feed stream having at least two fluid components in the same phase;

(b) providing a porous separator having an inflow side and an outflow side;

(c) maintaining across the porous separator a pressure differential comprising a relatively high pressure on the inflow side of the separator and a relatively low pressure on the outflow side of the separator;

(d) bringing the feed stream at the relatively high pressure into contact with the inflow side of the separator and under conditions which effect separation of the components of the feed stream into a retentate which forms on the inflow side of the separator and a permeant fraction, wherein the permeant fraction (i) includes more than one component of the feed stream in a proportion different from that of the feed stream being treated; and (ii) is the source of a liquid permeate fraction and vapor permeate fraction as the permeant fraction passes through the porous separator; and

(e) recovering each of said retentate, liquid permeate fraction, and vapor permeate fraction:

wherein said porous separator comprises a membrane containing porous materials within membrane matrix.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said two components of said feed stream are liquid.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said two components of said feed stream are vapor.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said feed stream comprises three or more components.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said feed stream is azeotropic and said liquid and vapor permeate fractions are nonazeotropic.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein steps (a) through (e) occur in the absence of an input of energy.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein steps (a) through (e) occur in the presence of an input of energy.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said steps (a) through (e) are repeated a predefined number of times.