Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

• US 20100275647A1
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.), SME Products LP
• 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 8,881,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/620
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2400/20 C2-C4 olefins
• 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 2200/30 using a side column in a single pressure 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 2200/78 Refluxing the column with a liquid stream originating from an upstream or downstream fractionator column
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/80 using integrated mass and heat exchange, i.e. non-adiabatic rectification in a reflux exchanger or dephlegmator
• 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 2210/12 Refinery or petrochemical off-gas
• 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 3/0219 Refinery gas, cracking gas, coke oven gas, gaseous mixtures containing aliphatic unsaturated CnHm or gaseous mixtures of undefined nature
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0242 separation of CnHm with 3 carbon atoms or more
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/20 : of methane

Abstract

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and fed to an absorbing means. A first distillation liquid stream from the absorbing means is fed to a mass transfer means. A first distillation vapor stream from the mass transfer means is cooled to partially condense it, forming a residual vapor stream and a condensed stream. The condensed stream is supplied as the top feed to the absorbing means. A second distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is heated by cooling the first distillation vapor stream, combined with the residual vapor stream, and heated by cooling the gas stream. A second distillation liquid stream from the mass transfer means is heated in a heat and mass transfer means to strip out its volatile components.

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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said cooled gas stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(3) said expanded cooled gas stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(4) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(5) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(6) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(7) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (5);

(8) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(9) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(10) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

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

19. The process according to claim 1, 3, 7, or 9 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 expanded to said lower pressure and thereafter supplied as said bottom feed to said absorbing means.

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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) 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;

(3) said vapor stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(4) said expanded cooled vapor stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(5) said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure;

(6) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(7) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(8) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(9) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (7);

(10) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(11) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(12) said expanded at least one liquid stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter supplying said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed to said mass transfer means;

(13) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

11. The process according to claim 2 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said cooled gas stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(3) said expanded cooled gas stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(4) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in a second heat exchange means, with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(5) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (4), and thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(6) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(7) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (5);

(8) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(9) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(10) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

(11) the quantities and temperatures of said feed streams to said absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said 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 3 wherein said second heat exchange means is housed in said processing assembly.

14. The process according to claim 3, 7, or 9 wherein

(1) said heated first distillation liquid stream is supplied to said mass transfer means at an intermediate feed position;

(2) said condensed stream is divided into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said first reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said absorbing means; and

(4) said second reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said mass transfer means.

20. The process according to claim 14 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 expanded to said lower pressure and thereafter supplied as said bottom feed to said absorbing 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense it in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) 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;

(3) said vapor stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(4) said expanded cooled vapor stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(5) said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure;

(6) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in a second heat exchange means, with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(7) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6), and thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(8) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(9) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (7);

(10) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(11) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(12) said expanded at least one liquid stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter supplying said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed to said mass transfer means;

(13) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said 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 4 wherein said second heat exchange means is housed in said processing assembly.

12. The process according to claim 4, 8, or 10 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

15. The process according to claim 4, 8, or 10 wherein

(1) said heated first distillation liquid stream is supplied to said mass transfer means at an intermediate feed position;

(2) said condensed stream is divided into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said first reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said absorbing means; and

(4) said second reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said mass transfer means.

17. The process according to claim 12 wherein

(1) said heated first distillation liquid stream is supplied to said mass transfer means at an intermediate feed position;

(2) said condensed stream is divided into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said first reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said absorbing means; and

(4) said second reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said mass transfer means.

21. The process according to claim 2, 4, 8, 10, or 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.

22. The process according to claim 12 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.

23. The process according to claim 15 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.

24. The process according to claim 17 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.

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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is partially cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said partially cooled gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(3) said first portion is further cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in a separating means, thereby to simultaneously condense the less volatile components from said first portion;

(4) said second portion is further cooled in said first heat exchange means;

(5) said further cooled first portion and said further cooled second portion are combined to form a cooled gas stream;

(6) said cooled gas stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(7) said expanded cooled gas stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(8) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in said first heat and mass transfer means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3), with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(9) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(10) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(11) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (9);

(12) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(13) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(14) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said 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 5 or 6 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

16. The process according to claim 5 or 6 wherein

(1) said heated first distillation liquid stream is supplied to said mass transfer means at an intermediate feed position;

(2) said condensed stream is divided into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said first reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said absorbing means; and

(4) said second reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said mass transfer means.

18. The process according to claim 13 wherein

(1) said heated first distillation liquid stream is supplied to said mass transfer means at an intermediate feed position;

(2) said condensed stream is divided into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said first reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said absorbing means; and

(4) said second reflux stream is supplied as said top feed to said 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is partially cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said partially cooled gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(3) said first portion is further cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in a separating means, thereby to simultaneously condense the less volatile components from said first portion;

(4) said second portion is further cooled in said first heat exchange means;

(5) said further cooled second portion is directed to said separating means so that any liquids condensed as said first portion is further cooled and as said second portion is further cooled are combined to form at least one liquid stream, with the remainder of said further cooled first portion and said further cooled second portion forming a vapor stream;

(6) said vapor stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(7) said expanded cooled vapor stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(8) said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure;

(9) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in said first heat and mass transfer means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3), with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(10) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(11) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(12) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (10);

(13) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(14) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(15) said expanded at least one liquid stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter supplying said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed to said mass transfer means;

(16) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

7. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is partially cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said partially cooled gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(3) said first portion is further cooled in a second heat exchange means;

(4) said second portion is further cooled in said first heat exchange means;

(5) said further cooled first portion and said further cooled second portion are combined to form a cooled gas stream;

(6) said cooled gas stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(7) said expanded cooled gas stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(8) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3), with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(9) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a third heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(10) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(11) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said third heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (9);

(12) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(13) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(14) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

8. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components wherein

(1) said gas stream is partially cooled in a first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly;

(2) said partially cooled gas stream is divided into first and second portions;

(3) said first portion is further cooled in a second heat exchange means;

(4) said second portion is further cooled in said first heat exchange means;

(5) said further cooled first portion and said further cooled second portion are combined to form a partially condensed gas stream;

(6) 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;

(7) said vapor stream is expanded to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(8) said expanded cooled vapor stream is supplied as a bottom feed to an absorbing means housed in said processing assembly;

(9) said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure;

(10) a first distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in said second heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3), with said heated first distillation liquid stream thereafter supplied as a top feed to a mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly;

(11) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said mass transfer means and cooled sufficiently to condense at least a part of it in a third heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(12) at least a portion of said condensed stream is supplied as a top feed to said absorbing means;

(13) a second distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and heated in said third heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (11);

(14) said heated second distillation vapor stream is combined with any said residual vapor stream to form a combined vapor stream;

(15) said combined vapor stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(16) said expanded at least one liquid stream is heated in said first heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter supplying said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed to said mass transfer means;

(17) a second distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said mass transfer means and heated in a heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means are effective to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to cool said gas stream;

(2) expansion means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled gas stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(3) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said expansion means to receive said expanded cooled gas stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(5) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(7) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(8) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(10) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (7);

(11) combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(12) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(14) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

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

46. The apparatus according to claim 25, 27, or 33 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 first heat exchange 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 expansion means is adapted to be connected to said collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said expansion means being further connected to said absorbing means to supply said expanded further cooled gas stream as said bottom feed thereto.

26. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to cool said gas stream sufficiently to partially condense it;

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

(3) first expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(4) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled vapor stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(5) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

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

(7) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(9) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(10) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(12) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (9);

(13) combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(14) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(15) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded at least one liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), said first heat exchange means being further connected to said mass transfer means to supply said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(17) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

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

35. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

49. The apparatus according to claim 26, 28, 32, 34, 35, or 38 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.

27. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to cool said gas stream;

(2) expansion means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled gas stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(3) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said expansion means to receive said expanded cooled gas stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(5) second heat exchange means connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it;

(6) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(8) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5), and thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(9) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(11) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (8);

(12) combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(13) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(15) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

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

33. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said second heat exchange means is housed in said processing assembly.

39. The apparatus according to claim 27 or 33 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) a dividing means is connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

48. The apparatus according to claim 39 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 first heat exchange 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 expansion means is adapted to be connected to said collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said expansion means being further connected to said absorbing means to supply said expanded further cooled gas stream as said bottom feed thereto.

28. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to cool said gas stream sufficiently to partially condense it;

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

(3) first expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(4) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled vapor stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(5) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

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

(7) second heat exchange means connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it;

(8) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(10) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7), and thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(11) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(13) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (10);

(14) combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(15) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(16) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded at least one liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), said first heat exchange means being further connected to said mass transfer means to supply said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(18) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

34. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said second heat exchange means is housed in said processing assembly.

36. The apparatus according to claim 28 or 34 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

41. The apparatus according to claim 28 or 34 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) a dividing means is connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

44. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) a dividing means is connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

50. The apparatus according to claim 36 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.

51. The apparatus according to claim 41 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.

53. The apparatus according to claim 44 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.

29. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to partially cool said gas stream;

(2) dividing means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second portions;

(3) first heat and mass transfer means housed in a separating means and connected to said dividing means to receive said first portion and further cool it, thereby to simultaneously condense the less volatile components from said first portion;

(4) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said dividing means to receive said second portion and further cool it;

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

(6) expansion means connected to said first combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(7) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said expansion means to receive said expanded cooled gas stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(9) said first heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3);

(10) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(12) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(13) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(15) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (12);

(16) second combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(17) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(19) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

37. The apparatus according to claim 29 or 30 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

42. The apparatus according to claim 29 or 30 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) an additional dividing means is connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

45. The apparatus according to claim 37 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said first heat and mass means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) an additional dividing means is connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

30. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to partially cool said gas stream;

(2) dividing means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second portions;

(3) first heat and mass transfer means housed in a separating means and connected to said dividing means to receive said first portion and further cool it, thereby to simultaneously condense the less volatile components from said first portion;

(4) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said dividing means to receive said second portion and further cool it;

(5) said separating means being further connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said further cooled second portion so that any liquids condensed as said first portion is further cooled and as said second portion is further cooled are combined to form at least one liquid stream, with the remainder of said further cooled first portion and said further cooled second portion forming a vapor stream;

(6) first expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(7) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled vapor stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(8) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

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

(10) said first heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3);

(11) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(13) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(14) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(16) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (13);

(17) combining means connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(18) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(19) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded at least one liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), said first heat exchange means being further connected to said mass transfer means to supply said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(21) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

31. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to partially cool said gas stream;

(2) dividing means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second portions;

(3) second heat exchange means connected to said dividing means to receive said first portion and further cool it;

(4) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said dividing means to receive said second portion and further cool it;

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

(6) expansion means connected to said first combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(7) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said expansion means to receive said expanded cooled gas stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(9) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3);

(10) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(12) third heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(13) said absorbing means being further connected to said third heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(15) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (12);

(16) second combining means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(17) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(19) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second 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 absorbing means to maintain the temperature of said upper region of said absorbing means at a temperature whereby the major portions of the components in said relatively less volatile fraction are recovered.

40. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) an additional dividing means is connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

47. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 40 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 first 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 expansion means is adapted to be connected to said collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said expansion means being further connected to said absorbing means to supply said expanded further cooled gas stream as said bottom feed thereto.

32. 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 C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

(1) first heat exchange means housed in a processing assembly to partially cool said gas stream;

(2) dividing means connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second portions;

(3) second heat exchange means connected to said dividing means to receive said first portion and further cool it;

(4) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said dividing means to receive said second portion and further cool it;

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

(6) 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;

(7) first expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and expand it to lower pressure whereby it is further cooled;

(8) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled vapor stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(9) second expansion means connected to said separating means to receive said at least one liquid stream and expand it to said lower pressure;

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

(11) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first liquid collecting means to receive said first distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (3);

(12) mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(14) third heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool it sufficiently to condense at least a part of it, thereby forming a condensed stream and a residual vapor stream containing any uncondensed vapor remaining after said first distillation vapor stream is cooled;

(15) said absorbing means being further connected to said third heat exchange means to receive at least a portion of said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

(17) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said second vapor collecting means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (14);

(18) second combining means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and any said residual vapor stream and form a combined vapor stream;

(19) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated combined vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(20) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second expansion means to receive said expanded at least one liquid stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (1), said first heat exchange means being further connected to said mass transfer means to supply said heated expanded at least one liquid stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(22) heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second liquid collecting means to receive said second distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip the more volatile components from said second distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped second distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction; and

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

38. The apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

43. The apparatus according to claim 32 or 38 wherein

(1) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated first distillation liquid stream at an intermediate feed position;

(2) an additional dividing means is connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said condensed stream and divide it into at least first and second reflux streams;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said first reflux stream as said top feed thereto; and

(4) said mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional dividing means to receive said second reflux stream as said top feed thereto.

52. The apparatus according to claim 43 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.