Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

• US 20100251764A1
• Filed: 03/04/2010
• Published: 10/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.), S.M.E. Products LLP
• Original Assignee: Ortloff Enigneers, Ltd., SME Products LP
• Inventors: Hudson, Hank M., Lynch, Joe T., Cuellar, Kyle T., Wilkinson, John D., Johnke, Andrew F., Lewis, W. Larry
• Granted Patent: US 9,080,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/620
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 5/06 by cooling or compressing
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/02 in a single pressure main column system
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/70 Refluxing the column with a condensed part of the feed stream, i.e. fractionator top is stripped or self-rectified
• 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 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 2270/12 External refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2270/60 Closed external refrigeration cycle with single component refrigerant [SCR], e.g. C1-, C2- or C3-hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2290/40 Vertical layout or arrangement of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, condensers, heat exchangers etc.
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2290/42 Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0238 separation of CnHm with 2 carbon atoms or more

Abstract

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream in a compact processing assembly. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means inside the processing assembly. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as the bottom feed to the second absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of the first absorbing means and directed into one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly to heat it while cooling the gas stream and the first stream. The heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and divided into a volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream. The compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it by the distillation vapor stream in the one or more heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure and supplied as top feed to the first absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of the second absorbing means and directed into a heat and mass transfer means inside the processing assembly to heat it and strip out its volatile components while cooling the gas stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of the upper region of the first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the desired components are recovered in the stripped distillation liquid stream.

Claims

1. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled;

(3) said second portion is cooled;

(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a cooled gas stream;

(5) said cooled gas stream is divided into first and second streams;

(6) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(7) said expanded cooled first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(8) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(9) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(10) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(11) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(12) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(13) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (6), and (11);

(14) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(15) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

12. The process according to claim 1 wherein

(1) a collecting means is housed in said processing assembly;

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said collecting means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(3) said cooled gas stream is supplied to said collecting means and directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be further cooled by said external refrigeration medium; and

(4) said further cooled gas stream is divided into said first and second streams.

16. The process according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, or 13 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

2. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled;

(3) said second portion is cooled;

(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a partially condensed gas stream;

(5) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(6) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;

(7) said first stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(8) said expanded cooled first stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(9) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a first bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(10) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a second bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(11) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(12) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(13) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(14) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(15) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (7), and (13);

(16) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(17) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

7. The process according to claim 2 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said expanded at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is supplied to said processing assembly to enter between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

3. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled;

(3) said second portion is cooled;

(4) said cooled first portion is combined with said cooled second portion to form a partially condensed gas stream;

(5) said partially condensed gas stream is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(6) said vapor stream is divided into first and second streams;

(7) said first stream combined with at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream to form a combined stream;

(8) said combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(9) said expanded cooled combined stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(10) said second stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a first bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(11) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a second bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(12) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(13) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(14) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(15) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(16) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (8), and (14);

(17) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(18) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

8. The process according to claim 3 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said expanded any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is supplied to said processing assembly to enter between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

4. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure;

(3) said second portion is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to said lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(4) said expanded cooled second portion is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(5) said expanded cooled first portion is supplied as a bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(6) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(7) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(8) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(9) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(10) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (3), and (8);

(11) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(12) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

13. The process according to claim 4 wherein

(1) a collecting means is housed in said processing assembly;

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said collecting means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(3) said cooled first portion is supplied to said collecting means and directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be further cooled by said external refrigeration medium; and

(4) said further cooled first portion is expanded to said lower pressure and is thereafter supplied as said bottom feed to said second absorbing means.

5. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;

(3) said partially condensed first portion is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(4) said second portion is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(5) said expanded cooled second portion is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(6) said vapor stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a first bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(7) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a second bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(8) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(9) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(10) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(11) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(12) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (4), and (10);

(13) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(14) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

9. The process according to claim 5 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said expanded at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is supplied to said processing assembly to enter between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

6. A process for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(2) said first portion is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;

(3) said partially condensed first portion is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein to provide a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(4) said second portion is cooled and is thereafter combined with at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream to form a combined stream;

(5) said combined stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(6) said expanded cooled combined stream is supplied as a feed between first and second absorbing means housed in a processing assembly, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(7) said vapor stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a first bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(8) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a second bottom feed to said second absorbing means;

(9) a distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said first absorbing means and heated, thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(10) said heated distillation vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and thereafter divided into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(11) said compressed recycle stream is cooled to condense substantially all of it;

(12) said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream is expanded to said lower pressure and supplied as a top feed to said first absorbing means;

(13) said heating of said distillation vapor stream is accomplished in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2), (5), and (11);

(14) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said second absorbing means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(15) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

10. The process according to claim 6 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said expanded any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is supplied to said processing assembly to enter between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

11. The process according to claim 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

14. The process according to claim 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said separating means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(2) said vapor stream is directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be cooled by said external refrigeration medium to form additional condensate; and

(3) said condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

15. The process according to claim 11 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said separating means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(2) said vapor stream is directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be cooled by said external refrigeration medium to form additional condensate; and

(3) said condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

17. The process according to claim 11 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

18. The process according to claim 14 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

19. The process according to claim 15 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

20. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;

(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(4) combining means connected to said heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a cooled gas stream;

(5) second dividing means connected to said combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(6) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(7) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(8) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(9) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(10) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(11) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (6), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(12) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(13) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(14) third dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(15) said heat exchange means being further connected to said third dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (11);

(16) third expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(17) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(18) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(19) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

31. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein

(1) a collecting means is housed in said processing assembly;

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said collecting means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(3) said collecting means is connected to said combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and direct it to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be further cooled by said external refrigeration medium; and

(4) said second dividing means is adapted to be connected to said collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and divide it into said first and second streams.

35. The apparatus according to claim 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, or 32 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

21. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;

(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(4) combining means connected to said heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a partially condensed gas stream;

(5) separating means connected to said combining means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(6) second dividing means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(7) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(8) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(9) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(10) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a first bottom feed thereto;

(11) third expansion means connected to said separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded liquid stream as a second bottom feed thereto;

(12) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(13) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (7), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(14) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(15) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(16) third dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(17) said heat exchange means being further connected to said third dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (13);

(18) fourth expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said fourth expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(19) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(20) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(21) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said processing assembly is connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded liquid stream and direct it between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

30. The apparatus according to claim 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

33. The apparatus according to claim 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said separating means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(2) said vapor stream is directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be cooled by said external refrigeration medium to form additional condensate; and

(3) said condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

34. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said separating means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(2) said vapor stream is directed to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be cooled by said external refrigeration medium to form additional condensate; and

(3) said condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

36. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

37. The apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

38. The apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

22. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;

(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(4) first combining means connected to said heat exchange means and said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a partially condensed gas stream;

(5) separating means connected to said first combining means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(6) second dividing means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(7) second combining means connected to said second dividing means and said separating means to receive said first stream and at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and form a combined stream;

(8) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(9) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed combined stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(10) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(11) second expansion means connected to said second dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a first bottom feed thereto;

(12) third expansion means connected to said separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded liquid stream as a second bottom feed thereto;

(13) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(14) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (8), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(15) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(16) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(17) third dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(18) said heat exchange means being further connected to said third dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (14);

(19) fourth expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said fourth expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(20) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(21) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(22) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

27. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said processing assembly is connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded liquid stream and direct it between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

23. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it;

(3) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(4) said heat exchange means being further connected to said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled second portion and further cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(5) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed second portion and expand it to lower pressure;

(6) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled second portion as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(7) second expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said cooled first portion and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded cooled first portion as a bottom feed thereto;

(8) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(9) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(10) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(11) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(12) second dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(13) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (9);

(14) third expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(15) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(16) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(17) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

32. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein

(1) a collecting means is housed in said processing assembly;

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said collecting means, said additional heat and mass transfer means including one or more passes for an external refrigeration medium;

(3) said collecting means is connected to said heat exchange means to receive said cooled first portion and direct it to said additional heat and mass transfer means to be further cooled by said external refrigeration medium; and

(4) said second expansion means is adapted to be connected to said collecting means to receive said further cooled first portion and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded further cooled first portion as said bottom feed thereto.

24. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(3) separating means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed first portion and to separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(4) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(5) said heat exchange means being further connected to said heat and mass transfer means to receive said cooled second portion and further cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(6) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed second portion and expand it to lower pressure;

(7) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled second portion as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(8) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded vapor stream as a first bottom feed thereto;

(9) third expansion means connected to said separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded liquid stream as a second bottom feed thereto;

(10) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(11) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (5), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(12) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(13) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(14) second dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(15) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (11);

(16) fourth expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said fourth expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(17) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(18) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(19) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

28. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said processing assembly is connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded liquid stream and direct it between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.

25. An apparatus for the separation of a gas stream containing methane, C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components into a volatile residue gas fraction and a relatively less volatile fraction containing a major portion of said C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first dividing means to divide said gas stream into first and second portions;

(2) heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool it sufficiently to partially condense it;

(3) separating means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed first portion and to separate it into a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(4) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first dividing means to receive said second portion and cool it;

(5) combining means connected to said heat and mass transfer means and said separating means to receive said cooled second portion and at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and form a combined stream;

(6) said heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

(7) first expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed combined stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(8) first and second absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means, said first absorbing means being located above said second absorbing means;

(9) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded vapor stream as a first bottom feed thereto;

(10) third expansion means connected to said separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said second absorbing means to supply said expanded liquid stream as a second bottom feed thereto;

(11) vapor collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first absorbing means to receive a distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said first absorbing means;

(12) said heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (6), and thereafter discharging said heated distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly;

(13) compressing means connected to said processing assembly to receive said heated distillation vapor stream and compress it to higher pressure;

(14) cooling means connected to said compressing means to receive said compressed distillation vapor stream and cool it;

(15) second dividing means connected to said cooling means to receive said cooled compressed distillation vapor stream and divide it into said volatile residue gas fraction and a compressed recycle stream;

(16) said heat exchange means being further connected to said second dividing means to receive said compressed recycle stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (12);

(17) fourth expansion means connected to said heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed compressed recycle stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said fourth expansion means being further connected to said first absorbing means to supply said expanded recycle stream as a top feed thereto;

(18) liquid collecting means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second absorbing means to receive a distillation liquid stream from the lower region of said second absorbing means;

(19) said heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4) while simultaneously stripping the more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(20) control means adapted to regulate the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said first and second absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said first absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

29. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein

(1) said heat and mass transfer means is arranged in upper and lower regions;

and

(2) said processing assembly is connected to said third expansion means to receive said expanded liquid stream and direct it between said upper and lower regions of said heat and mass transfer means.