Molten hydroxide membrane for separation of acid gases from emissions

1. A method for separating acidic gases from a gas mixture, the method comprising:

exposing the gas mixture to a separation membrane at an elevated temperature, wherein the separation membrane comprises a porous support and at least one molten alkali metal hydroxide disposed within pores of the porous support.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising reversibly solvating the acidic gases in the at least one molten alkali metal hydroxide at an inlet of the separation membrane.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising releasing solvated ions from an outlet of the separation membrane, the solvated ions being anionic forms of the acidic gases.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising applying a potential across the separation membrane.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising applying an alternating current (A/C) across the separation membrane.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising applying a pressure gradient across the separation membrane, wherein the pressure gradient is in a range from about 0 atmospheres to about 20 atmospheres.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the elevated temperature is in a range from about 200 C to about 700 C.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the acidic gases are gases having a formula selected from a group consisting of: CO x , NO y and SO z , wherein x is a value in a range from 1-2, y is a value in a range from 1-3, and z is a value in a range from 1-4.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 , comprising exposing the separation membrane to a sweep gas on a side of the separation membrane opposite a side to which the gas mixture is exposed, wherein the sweep gas comprises steam.