Process for extracting phosgene

A process for extracting a phosgene compound from an initial gas stream, comprising:

• providing a membrane contactor module comprising a membrane, which membrane has at least two sides, a gas side and a liquid side;
• letting flow an initial gas stream comprising a phosgene compound and a second gas compound selected from the group consisting of hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, chlorine and a mixture thereof on the gas side of the membrane;
• and
• letting flow an extractant liquid stream, suitable for dissolving the phosgene compound, on the liquid side of the membrane contactor module so that the extractant liquid stream absorbs the phosgene compound from the initial gas stream and provides a second extractant liquid stream enriched with the phosgene compound and wherein a second gas stream depleted in the phosgene compound is provided from the gas side of the membrane and
• wherein the phosgene compound is more soluble in the extractant liquid stream than the second gas compound.