PROCESS FOR THE OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE

The invention relates to a process for the oxidative coupling of methane to one or more C2+ hydrocarbons which comprises subjecting a gas stream comprising methane, ethylene, optionally ethane and optionally nitrogen, resulting from subjecting methane and oxygen or air to methane oxidative coupling conditions, to two consecutive sorption steps which comprise contacting said gas stream comprising methane, ethylene, optionally ethane and optionally nitrogen with a selective sorption agent, resulting in sorption of part of said gas stream, comprising ethylene and optionally ethane, by the sorption agent and in a gas stream comprising the remainder of said gas stream, comprising methane, optionally ethane and optionally nitrogen, which latter gas stream is subjected to a second sorption step resulting in a further separation, finally resulting in a gas stream comprising methane which is optionally recycled to the methane oxidative coupling (reaction) step, wherein each sorption step is followed by a desorption st