Liquefied natural gas and hydrocarbon gas processing

• US 20100031700A1
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Published: 02/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hudson, Hank M., Cuellar, Kyle T., Wilkinson, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,584,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/620
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0022 Hydrocarbons, e.g. natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0035 by gas expansion with extraction of work
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0037 of a return stream
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/004 by flash gas recovery F25J1/0267 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0045 by vaporising a liquid return stream
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0201 using only internal refrigeration means, i.e. without external refrigeration
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/023 for the combustion as fuels, i.e. integration with the fuel gas system
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0231 for the working-up of the hydrocarbon feed, e.g. reinjection of heavier hydrocarbons into the liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 1/0232 integration within a pressure letdown station of a high pressure pipeline system
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/02 in a single pressure main column system
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/72 Refluxing the column with at least a part of the totally condensed overhead gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2205/04 in the feed line, i.e. upstream of the fractionation step
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2210/06 Splitting of the feed stream, e.g. for treating or cooling in different ways
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2215/02 Mixing or blending of fluids to yield a certain product
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2215/04 Recovery of liquid products
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2220/64 Separating heavy hydrocarbons, e.g. NGL, LPG, C4+ hydrocarbons or heavy condensates in general
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2230/60 the fluid being hydrocarbons or a mixture of hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2240/02 Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2245/02 Recycle of a stream in general, e.g. a by-pass stream
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2245/90 the recycled stream being boil-off gas from storage
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2260/10 : Integration in a gas transmission system at a pressure reduction, e.g. "let down" station
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2260/60 : Integration in an installation using hydrocarbons, e.g. for fuel purposes
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2270/02 : Internal refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0209 : Natural gas or substitute natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0233 : separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more

Abstract

A process and an apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream are disclosed. The natural gas stream is cooled under pressure and divided into a first stream and a second stream. The first stream is cooled, expanded to an intermediate pressure, and supplied to a lower feed point on a distillation column. The second stream is expanded to the intermediate pressure and divided into two portions. One portion is cooled and then supplied to a mid-column feed point on the distillation column; the other portion is used to cool the first stream. The bottom product from this distillation column preferentially contains the majority of any hydrocarbons heavier than methane that would otherwise reduce the purity of the liquefied natural gas, so that the overhead vapor from the distillation column contains essentially only methane and lighter components. This overhead vapor is cooled and condensed, and a portion of the condensed stream is supplied to a top feed point on the distillation column to serve as reflux. A second portion of the condensed stream is expanded to low pressure to form the liquefied natural gas stream.

Claims

1. A process for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream, containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream wherein

(a) said natural gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it and is thereafter divided into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) said first gaseous stream is further cooled and is thereafter expanded to an intermediate pressure, whereupon said expanded cooled first gaseous stream is supplied at a lower feed position to a distillation column that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream;

(c) said second gaseous stream is separated into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(d) said vapor stream is expanded to said intermediate pressure and is thereafter divided into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(e) said first portion is cooled and is thereafter supplied to said distillation column at a mid-column feed position;

(f) said second portion is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said natural gas stream and said first gaseous stream;

(g) said overhead vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(h) said condensed stream is divided into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, whereupon said reflux stream is supplied to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(i) said feed stream is further cooled and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure;

(j) said expanded further cooled feed stream is separated into a first flash vapor stream and a flash liquid stream;

(k) said flash liquid stream is expanded to still lower pressure;

(l) said expanded flash liquid stream is separated into a second flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(m) said second flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said natural gas stream, said first portion, said overhead vapor stream, and said feed stream;

(n) said first flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said feed stream;

(o) said bottom liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded bottom liquid stream is combined with said heated first flash vapor stream to form a first combined stream;

(p) said first combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(q) said liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded liquid stream is combined with said heated first combined stream to form a second combined stream; and

(r) said second combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said natural gas stream.

5. The process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein

(a) said flash liquid is cooled before it is expanded to said still lower pressure;

and

(b) said heating of said second flash vapor stream also supplies at least a portion of said cooling of said flash liquid stream.

2. A process for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream wherein

(a) said natural gas stream is divided into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) said first gaseous stream is cooled and is thereafter expanded to an intermediate pressure, whereupon said expanded cooled first gaseous stream is supplied at a lower feed position to a distillation column that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream;

(c) said second gaseous stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it and is thereafter separated into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(d) said vapor stream is expanded to said intermediate pressure and is thereafter divided into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(e) said first portion is cooled and is thereafter supplied to said distillation column at a mid-column feed position;

(f) said second portion is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream;

(g) said overhead vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(h) said condensed stream is divided into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, whereupon said reflux stream is supplied to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(i) said feed stream is further cooled and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure;

(j) said expanded further cooled feed stream is separated into a first flash vapor stream and a flash liquid stream;

(k) said flash liquid stream is expanded to still lower pressure;

(l) said expanded flash liquid stream is separated into a second flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(m) said second flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream, said second gaseous stream, said first portion, said overhead vapor stream, and said feed stream;

(n) said first flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said feed stream;

(o) said bottom liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded bottom liquid stream is combined with said heated first flash vapor stream to form a first combined stream;

(p) said first combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(q) said liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded liquid stream is combined with said heated first combined stream to form a second combined stream; and

(r) said second combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream.

3. A process for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream wherein

(a) said natural gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it and is thereafter divided into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) said first gaseous stream is further cooled and is thereafter expanded to an intermediate pressure, whereupon said expanded cooled first gaseous stream is supplied at a lower feed position to a distillation column that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream;

(c) said second gaseous stream is separated into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(d) said vapor stream is expanded to said intermediate pressure and is thereafter divided into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(e) said first portion is cooled and is thereafter supplied to said distillation column at a mid-column feed position;

(f) said second portion is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said natural gas stream and said first gaseous stream;

(g) said overhead vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(h) said condensed stream is divided into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, whereupon said reflux stream is supplied to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(i) said bottom liquid stream is expanded to lower pressure, whereupon said expanded bottom liquid stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(j) said feed stream is expanded to still lower pressure;

(k) said expanded feed stream is separated into a flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(l) said flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said natural gas stream, said first portion, and said overhead vapor stream;

(m) said liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded liquid stream is combined with said heated expanded bottom liquid stream to form a combined stream; and

(n) said combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said natural gas stream.

6. The process according to claim 3 or 4 wherein

(a) said feed is cooled before it is expanded to said still lower pressure;

and

(b) said heating of said flash vapor stream also supplies at least a portion of said cooling of said feed stream.

4. A process for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream wherein

(a) said natural gas stream is divided into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) said first gaseous stream is cooled and is thereafter expanded to an intermediate pressure, whereupon said expanded cooled first gaseous stream is supplied at a lower feed position to a distillation column that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream;

(c) said second gaseous stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it and is thereafter separated into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(d) said vapor stream is expanded to said intermediate pressure and is thereafter divided into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(e) said first portion is cooled and is thereafter supplied to said distillation column at a mid-column feed position;

(f) said second portion is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream;

(g) said overhead vapor stream is cooled sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(h) said condensed stream is divided into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, whereupon said reflux stream is supplied to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(i) said bottom liquid stream is expanded to lower pressure, whereupon said expanded bottom liquid stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(j) said feed stream is expanded to still lower pressure;

(k) said expanded feed stream is separated into a flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(l) said flash vapor stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream, said second gaseous stream, said first portion, and said overhead vapor stream;

(m) said liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure, whereupon said expanded liquid stream is combined with said heated expanded bottom liquid stream to form a combined stream; and

(n) said combined stream is heated, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream.

7. An apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream comprising

(a) first heat exchange means connected to receive said natural gas stream and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(b) first dividing means connected to receive said partially condensed natural gas stream and divide it into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(c) second heat exchange means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first gaseous stream and further cool it;

(d) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said further cooled first gaseous stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to a distillation column to supply said expanded further cooled first gaseous stream at a lower feed position;

(e) first separation means connected to said first dividing means to receive said second gaseous stream and separate it into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(f) second expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said intermediate pressure;

(g) second dividing means connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded vapor stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(h) third heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it, said heat exchange means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said cooled first portion at a mid-column feed position;

(i) said second heat exchange means further connected to said second dividing means to receive said second portion and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said first gaseous stream;

(j) first withdrawing means connected to an upper region of said distillation column to withdraw an overhead vapor stream;

(k) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first withdrawing means to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(l) third dividing means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, said third dividing means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said reflux stream to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(m) fourth heat exchange means connected to said third dividing means to receive said feed stream and further cool it;

(n) third expansion means connected to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said further cooled feed stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(o) second separation means connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded further cooled feed stream and separate it into a first flash vapor stream and a flash liquid stream;

(p) fourth expansion means connected to said second separation means to receive said flash liquid stream and expand it to still lower pressure;

(q) third separation means connected to said fourth expansion means to receive said expanded flash liquid stream and separate it into a second flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(r) said fourth heat exchange means further connected to said third separation means to receive said second flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream;

(s) said fourth heat exchange means further connected to said second separation means to receive said first flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream;

(t) second withdrawing means connected to a lower region of said distillation column to withdraw a bottom liquid stream;

(u) fifth expansion means connected to said second withdrawing means to receive said bottom liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(v) first combining means connected to said fifth expansion means and to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said expanded bottom liquid stream and said heated first flash vapor stream, respectively, and form thereby a first combined stream;

(w) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first combining means to receive said first combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(x) sixth expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(y) second combining means connected to said sixth expansion means and to said third heat exchange means to receive said expanded liquid stream and said heated first combined stream, respectively, and form thereby a second combined stream; and

(z) said first heat exchange means further connected to said second combining means to receive said second combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said natural gas stream.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 wherein

(a) a fifth heat exchange means is connected to said second separation means to receive said flash liquid stream and cool it;

(b) said fourth expansion means is adapted to be connected to said fifth heat exchange means to receive said cooled flash liquid stream and expand it to said still lower pressure;

(c) said third separation means is adapted to separate said expanded cooled flash liquid stream into said second flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(d) said fifth heat exchange means is further connected to said third separation means to receive said second flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said flash liquid stream; and

(e) said fourth heat exchange means is adapted to be connected to said fifth heat exchange means to receive said heated second flash vapor stream and further heat it, with said further heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream.

8. An apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream comprising

(a) first dividing means connected to receive said natural gas stream and divide it into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) first heat exchange means connected to receive said first gaseous stream and cool it;

(c) second heat exchange means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled first gaseous stream and further cool it;

(d) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said further cooled first gaseous stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to a distillation column to supply said expanded further cooled first gaseous stream at a lower feed position;

(e) said first heat exchange means further connected to receive said second gaseous stream and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(f) first separation means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed second gaseous stream and separate it into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(g) second expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said intermediate pressure;

(h) second dividing means connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded vapor stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(i) third heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it, said heat exchange means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said cooled first portion at a mid-column feed position;

(j) said second heat exchange means further connected to said second dividing means to receive said second portion and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said cooled first gaseous stream;

(k) first withdrawing means connected to an upper region of said distillation column to withdraw an overhead vapor stream;

(l) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first withdrawing means to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(m) third dividing means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, said third dividing means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said reflux stream to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(n) fourth heat exchange means connected to said third dividing means to receive said feed stream and further cool it;

(o) third expansion means connected to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said further cooled feed stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(p) second separation means connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded further cooled feed stream and separate it into a first flash vapor stream and a flash liquid stream;

(q) fourth expansion means connected to said second separation means to receive said flash liquid stream and expand it to still lower pressure;

(r) third separation means connected to said fourth expansion means to receive said expanded flash liquid stream and separate it into a second flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(s) said fourth heat exchange means further connected to said third separation means to receive said second flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream;

(t) said fourth heat exchange means further connected to said second separation means to receive said first flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream;

(u) second withdrawing means connected to a lower region of said distillation column to withdraw a bottom liquid stream;

(v) fifth expansion means connected to said second withdrawing means to receive said bottom liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(w) first combining means connected to said fifth expansion means and to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said expanded bottom liquid stream and said heated first flash vapor stream, respectively, and form thereby a first combined stream;

(x) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first combining means to receive said first combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(y) sixth expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(z) second combining means connected to said sixth expansion means and to said third heat exchange means to receive said expanded liquid stream and said heated first combined stream, respectively, and form thereby a second combined stream; and

(aa) said first heat exchange means further connected to said second combining means to receive said second combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream.

9. An apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream comprising

(a) first heat exchange means connected to receive said natural gas stream and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(b) first dividing means connected to receive said partially condensed natural gas stream and divide it into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(c) second heat exchange means connected to said first dividing means to receive said first gaseous stream and further cool it;

(d) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said further cooled first gaseous stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to a distillation column to supply said expanded further cooled first gaseous stream at a lower feed position;

(e) first separation means connected to said first dividing means to receive said second gaseous stream and separate it into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(f) second expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said intermediate pressure;

(g) second dividing means connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded vapor stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(h) third heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it, said heat exchange means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said cooled first portion at a mid-column feed position;

(i) said second heat exchange means further connected to said second dividing means to receive said second portion and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said first gaseous stream;

(j) first withdrawing means connected to an upper region of said distillation column to withdraw an overhead vapor stream;

(k) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first withdrawing means to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(l) third dividing means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, said third dividing means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said reflux stream to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(m) second withdrawing means connected to a lower region of said distillation column to withdraw a bottom liquid stream;

(n) third expansion means connected to said second withdrawing means to receive said bottom liquid stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(o) said third heat exchange means further connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded bottom liquid stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(p) fourth expansion means connected to said third dividing means to receive said feed stream and expand it to still lower pressure;

(q) second separation means connected to said fourth expansion means to receive said expanded feed stream and separate it into a flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(r) said third heat exchange means further connected to said second separation means to receive said flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(s) fifth expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(t) combining means connected to said fifth expansion means and to said third heat exchange means to receive said expanded liquid stream and said heated expanded bottom liquid stream, respectively, and form thereby a combined stream; and

(u) said first heat exchange means further connected to said combining means to receive said combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of said natural gas stream.

10. An apparatus for liquefying a portion of a natural gas stream containing methane and heavier hydrocarbon components to produce a liquefied natural gas stream comprising

(a) first dividing means connected to receive said natural gas stream and divide it into at least a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream;

(b) first heat exchange means connected to receive said first gaseous stream and cool it;

(c) second heat exchange means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled first gaseous stream and further cool it;

(d) first expansion means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said further cooled first gaseous stream and expand it to an intermediate pressure, said first expansion means being further connected to a distillation column to supply said expanded further cooled first gaseous stream at a lower feed position;

(e) said first heat exchange means further connected to receive said second gaseous stream and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(f) first separation means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed second gaseous stream and separate it into a vapor stream and a liquid stream;

(g) second expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said intermediate pressure;

(h) second dividing means connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded vapor stream and divide it into at least a first portion and a second portion;

(i) third heat exchange means connected to said second dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it, said heat exchange means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said cooled first portion at a mid-column feed position;

(j) said second heat exchange means further connected to said second dividing means to receive said second portion and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said cooled first gaseous stream;

(k) first withdrawing means connected to an upper region of said distillation column to withdraw an overhead vapor stream;

(l) said third heat exchange means further connected to said first withdrawing means to receive said overhead vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to at least partially condense it and form thereby a condensed stream;

(m) third dividing means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least a feed stream and a reflux stream, said third dividing means being further connected to said distillation column to supply said reflux stream to said distillation column at a top column feed position;

(n) second withdrawing means connected to a lower region of said distillation column to withdraw a bottom liquid stream;

(o) third expansion means connected to said second withdrawing means to receive said bottom liquid stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(p) said third heat exchange means further connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded bottom liquid stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(q) fourth expansion means connected to said third dividing means to receive said feed stream and expand it to still lower pressure;

(r) second separation means connected to said fourth expansion means to receive said expanded feed stream and separate it into a flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(s) said third heat exchange means further connected to said second separation means to receive said flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream;

(t) fifth expansion means connected to said first separation means to receive said liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

(u) combining means connected to said fifth expansion means and to said third heat exchange means to receive said expanded liquid stream and said heated expanded bottom liquid stream, respectively, and form thereby a combined stream; and

(v) said first heat exchange means further connected to said combining means to receive said combined stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first gaseous stream and said second gaseous stream.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10 wherein

(a) a fourth heat exchange means is connected to said third dividing means to receive said feed stream and further cool it;

(b) said fourth expansion means is adapted to be connected to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said further cooled feed stream and expand it to said still lower pressure;

(c) said second separation means is adapted to separate said expanded further cooled feed stream into said flash vapor stream and said liquefied natural gas stream;

(d) said fourth heat exchange means is further connected to said second separation means to receive said flash vapor stream and heat it, with said heating supplying at least a portion of said further cooling of said feed stream; and

(e) said third heat exchange means is adapted to be connected to said fourth heat exchange means to receive said heated flash vapor stream and further heat it, with said further heating supplying at least a portion of said cooling of one or more of said first portion and said overhead vapor stream.