A process for copolymerizing ethylene and at least one C3 to C8 alpha olefin to obtain an ethylene-C3 to C8 alpha olefin copolymer, the process comprising a) copolymerizing ethylene and at least one C3 to C8 alpha olefin in a solvent in a solution polymerization reactor to obtain an intermediate polymer solution, b) discharging an effluent stream from the intermediate polymer solution into a heat exchanger, c) setting the temperature of the effluent stream in the heat exchanger to obtain a heated effluent stream, d) feeding the heated effluent stream to a flash separation, e) separating at least a part of the ethylene-C3 to C8 alpha olefin copolymer in the flash separation, characterized by feeding an inert hydrocarbon fulfilling 90° C.