| abstract |
The invention provides a process for separating one or more hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons, which gaseous mixture comprises: (a) one or more first hydrocarbons selected from alkanes and alkenes, and (b) one or more further hydrocarbons which are selected from alkanes and alkenes and are other than the one or more first hydrocarbons, which process comprises: contacting the gaseous mixture with an extractant suitable for extracting the one or more first hydrocarbons, which extractant comprises a polar solvent; and thereby forming: (i) a first phase comprising the extractant and the one or more first hydrocarbons; and (ii) a second phase comprising said gaseous mixture having a reduced content of the one or more first hydrocarbons. |