Process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons

A process comprising:

• contacting a gaseous stream comprising hydrobromic acid and hydrocarbons with an aqueous solution comprising a base selected from the group consisting of a metal hydroxide, a metal oxy-bromide species, and combinations thereof such that the hydrobromic acid is neutralized to form a metal bromide salt in the aqueous solution;
• oxidizing said aqueous solution containing said metal bromide salt to form oxidation products comprising bromine and said base;
• separating said bromine from said aqueous solution comprising said base;
• and
• contacting said bromine with gaseous alkanes to form alkyl bromides.

A process comprising:

• contacting a gaseous stream comprising hydrobromic acid and hydrocarbons with water, wherein said hydrobromic acid dissolves in said water to form an aqueous solution comprising said water and said hydrobromic acid;
• neutralizing said hydrobromic acid to form a metal bromide salt;
• oxidizing said metal bromide salt to form an oxidation product comprising bromine;
• and
• contacting said bromine with gaseous alkanes to form bromination products comprising alkyl bromides.

A process comprising:

• reacting hydrobromic acid with a metal oxide to form reaction products comprising a metal bromide and steam, wherein said hydrobromic acid is contained in a gaseous stream comprising said hydrobromic acid and hydrocarbons;
• reacting said metal bromide with a gas comprising oxygen to form reaction products comprising bromine and said metal oxide;
• and
• contacting said bromine with gaseous alkanes to form bromination products comprising alkyl bromides.