Background:
Researchers at Notre Dame pioneered the use of ionic liquids for use in gas separation. And this work continues today, with an eye towards applications in natural gas purification, effluent treatment, pre-combustion separations, supported liquid membranes, and gas drying.
Technology:
Nitrogen containing heterocyclic cations have been demonstrated to have a high solubility towards common impurities in gas streams (such as CO2 and water vapor). Low vapor pressure and fully ionic nature of the solution means the technology is a green solvent.
Patent Status: US Patent Issued
http://notredametech.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/us_6579343[1]-purification-of-gas-with-liquid-ionic-compounds.pdf
Link to the Technology Announcement:
http://ott.testtechnologypublisher.com/files/sites/nd-ils.pdf