This invention relates to a method for separating olefins and paraffins from
oxygenates in a liquid hydrocarbon stream containing a high proportion of olefins,
paraffins and oxygenates (mainly alcohols). Typically, the hydrocarbon stream is
obtained from a Fischer-Tropsch process. The organic counter-solvent has a boiling
point which is less than the boiling point of the most volatile alcohol in the
hydrocarbon stream. A raffinate from the liquid-liquid extractor is passed to a
distillation column. A bottoms product from the distillation column comprises olefins
and paraffins, and the overhead product comprising solvents is recycled. An extract
from the liquid-liquid extractor is sent to a stripping column, where a bottoms
product containing pure alcohol is obtained. The overhead product containing counter-solvent
is recycled.
