NOVELTY - A multi-component feed stream is separated into permeate and retentate streams by passing through a permeation unit having a membrane. The component(s) is absorbed in first surface of membrane and permeates to second surface under the influence of concentration gradient across the membrane. The gradient is maintained by a vacuum produced by working fluid passing through venturi-type nozzle.    USE - The process is used in separating multi-component feed stream (e.g. naphtha boiling range stream, mixed olefin/paraffin stream, aqueous stream containing dissolved organics, organic stream containing dissolved water and/or free water, gasoline stream, vaporized organic stream, natural gas stream, nitrogen stream containing organic component, argon stream containing organic component, air stream containing organic component, or carbon dioxide stream containing organic component) into permeate and retentate streams (claimed). It can be used in organic liquid separations, e.g. separation of benzene from cat naphtha or gasoline, separation of aromatics from lube oil, separation of ethylene from ethane and propylene from propane, and methyl tert. butyl ether/methanol separation. It is also useful in the recovery of volatile organic compounds (e.g. methyl tert. butyl ether) from wastewater, recovery of solvents from purge gas streams, alcohol/water separations (e.g. removal of ethanol from water) including beverages, and dehydration of organic streams.    ADVANTAGE - The inventive process is highly efficient and can be used in both small and large process applications. It can be used in the treatment of either aqueous or organic feeds and provides superior performance.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Separation of multi-component feed stream, e.g. gasoline stream, into permeate and retentate streams includes passing feed stream to a permeation unit (56) containing a membrane (42) with opposing first and second surfaces (42a, 42b), and contacting the feed stream with the membrane to absorb component(s) into the first surface and permeate to the second surface under the influence of concentration gradient across the membrane. The concentration gradient is maintained using a vacuum on the second surface. The vacuum is produced by a working fluid which passes through a venturi-type nozzle (45). The permeate is drawn from the second surface into the venturi-type nozzle and into the working fluid. The permeate is separated from the working fluid.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a process flow sheet of separating multi-component feed stream into permeate and retentate streams.    Membrane (42)    First and second surfaces of membrane (42a, 42b)    Venturi-type nozzle (45)    Permeation unit (56)