Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation of condensable and absorbable gas components having a critical temperature above 30.degree. C. from a mixture with inert gases, being absorbable at most in a little measure and the proportions of the components of said mixture varying widely, by two-stage absorption and simultaneous compression of the cleaned gas and the separated components to different pressures, in which the varying composition of the gas mixture to be separated is equalized in a first absorption stage so that at least temporarily part of the absorbable components of the mixture is absorbed. The remaining gas mixture is compressed and then introduced into a second absorption stage, wherein are obtained an inert gas mixture largely free from absorbable components and a solution rich in absorbable components, from which the absorbable components of the gas mixture are separated through subsequent multi-stage thermal desorption, the absorbent being fed back into the process.

Abstract: A zeolite of type 5A, which has been used to separate normal paraffins from a hydrocarbon mixture containing normal paraffins by bringing the hydrocarbon mixture into contact with the zeolite whereby the zeolite absorbs the normal paraffins and then desorbing the normal paraffins from the zeolite by contacting the zeolite with water-containing ammonia vapour, is reactivated by first contacting the zeolite with at least one of water, aqueous solutions and water-containing gases at a temperature below 350.degree. C and then heating the zeolite to a temperature above 350.degree. C.