Hydrocarbon Gas Processing

• US 20100287983A1
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• 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 9,933,207 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 ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled, expanded to lower pressure, heated, and its liquid fraction is supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means. The second stream is expanded to lower pressure and supplied as a bottom feed to the absorbing means. A distillation vapor stream from the absorbing means is combined with the vapor fraction of the first stream, then cooled by the expanded first stream to form a condensed stream that is supplied as a second top feed to the absorbing means. A distillation liquid stream from the bottom of the absorbing 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 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 heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(8) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(10) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(11) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(12) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(13) said second distillation vapor stream is heated 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) and (6), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(14) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in a second 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 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 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.

15. The process according to claim 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, or 11 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means;

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said second heat and mass transfer means, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said third distillation vapor stream is supplied to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said second heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

19. The process according to claim 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, or 11 wherein said second 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. The process according to claim 15 wherein said second 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 heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(9) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(11) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(12) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (8) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(13) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(14) said second distillation vapor stream is heated 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) and (7), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(15) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in a second 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;

(16) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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. The process according to claim 2 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

13. The process according to claim 2, 3, 7, or 8 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 additional condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

17. The process according to claim 13 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means;

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said second heat and mass transfer means, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said third distillation vapor stream is supplied to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said second heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

20. The process according to claim 13 wherein said second 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. The process according to claim 17 wherein said second 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.

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 is 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 heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(10) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(12) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(13) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (9) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(14) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(15) said second distillation vapor stream is heated 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) and (8), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(16) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing means and heated in a second 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;

(17) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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.

8. The process according to claim 3 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

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 cooled;

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

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

(4) said expanded cooled first stream is heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(5) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(7) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(8) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (4) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(9) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(10) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (3), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(11) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing 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 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 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.

12. 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 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.

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 cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;

(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 divided into first and second streams;

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

(5) said expanded cooled first stream is heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(6) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(8) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(9) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(10) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(11) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (4), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(12) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing 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 distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;

(13) at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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.

9. The process according to claim 5 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

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 cooled sufficiently to partially condense it;

(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 divided into first and second streams;

(4) said first stream is 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 heated and thereafter discharged as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(7) said liquid fraction supplied as a first top feed to an absorbing means housed in a processing assembly;

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

(9) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from the upper region of said absorbing means and combined with said vapor fraction to form a combined vapor stream;

(10) said combined vapor stream is cooled in a first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(11) said condensed stream is supplied as a second top feed to said absorbing means;

(12) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in one or more heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (1) and (5), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

(13) a distillation liquid stream is collected from the lower region of said absorbing 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 distillation liquid stream, and thereafter discharging said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction;

(14) any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream is expanded to said lower pressure and is supplied as a feed to said processing assembly below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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.

10. The process according to claim 6 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

14. The process according to claim 5, 6, 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 additional condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

16. The process according to claim 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, or 12 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means;

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said second heat and mass transfer means, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said third distillation vapor stream is supplied to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said second heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

18. The process according to claim 14 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means;

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said second heat and mass transfer means, thereby producing a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said third distillation vapor stream is supplied to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said second heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

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

(3) first 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 first heat exchange means and said first 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 first combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(6) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and 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 second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(8) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded first stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(9) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said liquid fraction as a first top feed thereto;

(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 absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;

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

(12) second combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(13) said second heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (8) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(14) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

(15) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (6);

(16) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(18) said first 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 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 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 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 first 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.

37. The apparatus according to claim 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, or 33 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said first heat and mass transfer means and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said stripped more volatile components;

(2) said additional absorbing means is further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream with said stripped more volatile components, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply it to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said first heat and mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said partially stripped distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

41. The apparatus according to claim 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, or 33 wherein said first 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.

43. The apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said first 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.

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

(3) first 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 first heat exchange means and said first 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 heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and 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 second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed first stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(9) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded first stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

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

(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 absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(12) 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 processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said absorbing means and above said first heat and mass transfer means;

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

(14) second combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(15) said second heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (9) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(16) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

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

(18) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(20) said first 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 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.

29. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

35. The apparatus according to claim 24, 25, 29, or 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 additional condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

39. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said first heat and mass transfer means and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said stripped more volatile components;

(2) said additional absorbing means is further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream with said stripped more volatile components, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply it to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said first heat and mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said partially stripped distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

42. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said first 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.

44. The apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said first 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.

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

(3) first 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 first heat exchange means and said first 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) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and 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 second heat exchange means to receive said substantially condensed combined stream and expand it to lower pressure;

(10) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded combined stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

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

(12) 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 absorbing means to supply said expanded second stream as a bottom feed thereto;

(13) 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 processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said absorbing means and above said first heat and mass transfer means;

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

(15) third combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(16) said second heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said third combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (10) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(17) said absorbing means being further connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

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

(19) said first heat exchange means being further connected to said second heat exchange means to receive said heated second distillation vapor stream and further heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (2), and thereafter discharging said further heated second distillation vapor stream from said processing assembly as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

(21) said first 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 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.

30. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

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 C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or said C₃ components and heavier hydrocarbon components comprising

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

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

(3) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

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

(5) first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded first stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(6) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said liquid fraction as a first top feed thereto;

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

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

(9) combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(10) said first heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (5) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(11) said absorbing means being further connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

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

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

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

(15) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip 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

(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.

34. The apparatus according to claim 26 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 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.

38. The apparatus according to claim 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, or 34 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means and connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said stripped more volatile components;

(2) said additional absorbing means is further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream with said stripped more volatile components, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply it to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said second heat and mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said partially stripped distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

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 C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or 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) dividing means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(4) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said dividing means to receive said first stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

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

(6) first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded first stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(7) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said liquid fraction as a first top feed thereto;

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

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

(10) combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(11) said first heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (6) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(12) said absorbing means being further connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

(13) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (4);

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

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

(16) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip 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;

(17) 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 processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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.

31. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said separating means is housed in said processing assembly.

36. The apparatus according to claim 27, 28, 31, or 32 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 additional condensate becomes a part of said at least one liquid stream separated therein.

40. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said second heat and mass transfer means and connected to said second heat and mass transfer means to receive said stripped more volatile components;

(2) said additional absorbing means is further connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream with said stripped more volatile components, thereby forming a third distillation vapor stream and a partially stripped distillation liquid stream;

(3) said absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply it to said lower region of said absorbing means; and

(4) said second heat and mass transfer means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said partially stripped distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby further stripping it to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

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 C₂ components, C₃ components, and heavier hydrocarbon components or 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) dividing means connected to said separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide it into first and second streams;

(4) first combining means connected to said 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;

(5) second heat exchange means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first combining means to receive said combined stream and cool it sufficiently to substantially condense it;

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

(7) first heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat it, and thereafter discharging said heated expanded combined stream as a vapor fraction and a liquid fraction;

(8) absorbing means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said liquid fraction as a first top feed thereto;

(9) second expansion means connected to said dividing means to receive said second stream and expand it to said lower pressure, said second expansion means being further connected to said 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 absorbing means to receive a first distillation vapor stream from the upper region of said absorbing means;

(11) second combining means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said vapor collecting means and said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and said vapor fraction and form a combined vapor stream;

(12) said first heat and mass transfer means being further connected to said second combining means to receive said combined vapor stream and cool it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7) while simultaneously condensing the less volatile components from said combined vapor stream, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(13) said absorbing means being further connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said condensed stream as a second top feed thereto;

(14) said second heat exchange means being further connected to said first heat and mass transfer means to receive said second distillation vapor stream and heat it, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of step (5);

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

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

(17) second heat and mass transfer means housed in said processing assembly and connected to said liquid collecting means to receive said distillation liquid stream and heat it, thereby to simultaneously strip 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;

(18) 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 processing assembly to supply said expanded liquid stream as a feed thereto below said absorbing means and above said second heat and mass transfer means; 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.

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