Hydrocarbon gas processing including a single equipment item processing assembly

• US 9,057,558 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.), S.M.E. Products LLP
• Original Assignee: Ortloff Enigneers, Ltd., SME Products LP
• Inventors: Johnke, Andrew F., Lewis, W. Larry, Tyler, L. Don, Wilkinson, John D., Lynch, Joe T., Hudson, Hank M., Cuellar, Kyle T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jules, Frantz
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAYMOND, KEITH MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/053,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 626/18, 626/20, 626/21, 626/23
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 2300/1025 Natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10G 5/06 by cooling or compressing
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/02 in a single pressure main column system
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/70 Refluxing the column with a condensed part of the feed stream, i.e. fractionator top is stripped or self-rectified
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2200/74 Refluxing the column with at least a part of the partially condensed overhead gas
• 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 2205/02 using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
• 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 2235/60 the fluid being (a mixture of) hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2240/02 Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2270/02 Internal refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2270/12 External refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2270/60 Closed external refrigeration cycle with single component refrigerant [SCR], e.g. C1-, C2- or C3-hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2290/40 Vertical layout or arrangement of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, condensers, heat exchangers etc.
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2290/42 Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0209 Natural gas or substitute natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0233 separation of CnHm with 1 carbon atom or more
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0238 separation of CnHm with 2 carbon atoms or more
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/0242 separation of CnHm with 3 carbon atoms or more

Abstract

A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to recover C₂ (or C₃) 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 said first stream and is thereafter expanded to lower pressure whereby the first stream is further cooled;

(7) said expanded cooled first stream is heated;

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

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

(10) a first distillation vapor steam is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of the first distillation vapor stream, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (7);

(11) said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream is supplied to a separating means and is separated therein, thereby forming a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

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

(13) said second distillation vapor stream is heated in said one or more heat exchange means, thereby to supply at least a portion of the cooling of steps (2) and (6), and thereafter discharging said heated second distillation vapor stream as said volatile residue gas fraction;

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

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

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein

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

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

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

(d) 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 second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

3. The process according to claim 2 wherein

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

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

(iii) said expanded cooled combined stream is heated;

(iv) said heated expanded combined stream is supplied as said feed between said first and second absorbing means;

(v) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of the first distillation vapor stream, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (iii); and

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

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein

(a) said gas stream is cooled;

and

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

5. The process according to claim 4 wherein

(a) said gas stream is cooled sufficiently to partially condense said gas stream;

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

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

(d) 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 second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

6. The process according to claim 5 wherein

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

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

(iii) said expanded cooled combined stream is heated;

(iv) said heated expanded combined stream is supplied as said feed between said first and second absorbing means;

(vi) a first distillation vapor stream is collected from an upper region of said first absorbing means and cooled in one or more heat exchange means sufficiently to condense at least a part of said first distillation vapor stream, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (iii); and

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

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

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

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

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

11. The process according to claim 1 wherein

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

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said gas 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 gas 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.

12. The process according to claim 4 wherein

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

(2) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said gas 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 gas 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.

13. The process according to claim 7, 8, 2 or 3, wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said additional 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.

14. The process according to claim 9, 10, 5 or 6 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said additional 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.

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

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

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said second absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said 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 second absorbing means; and

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

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

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

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said second absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said 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 second absorbing means; and

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

17. The process according to claim 13 wherein

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

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said second absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said 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 second absorbing means; and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged front 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 heat and mass transfer means;

(2) said additional absorbing means is configured to provide contacting of said distillation liquid stream from said second absorbing means with said stripped more volatile components from said 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 second absorbing means and

(4) said partially stripped distillation liquid stream is supplied to said heat and mass transfer means to be heated, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream 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, 7, 8, 11, 2, or 3, wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

20. The process according to claim 13 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

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

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

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 connected to said first dividing means to receive said first portion and cool said first portion;

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

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

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

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

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

(8) third heat exchange means connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled first stream and heat said expanded cooled first stream;

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

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

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

(12) said third heat exchange means being further connected to said vapor collecting means to receive said first distillation vapor stream and cool said first distillation vapor stream sufficiently to condense at least a part of said first distillation vapor stream, thereby to supply at least a portion of the heating of step (8);

(13) separating means connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream and separate said at least partially condensed first distillation vapor stream into a condensed stream and a second distillation vapor stream;

(14) said first absorbing means being further connected to said separating means to receive said condensed stream as a top feed thereto;

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

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

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

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

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein

(a) said combining means is adapted to receive said cooled first portion and said cooled second portion and form a partially condensed gas stream;

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

(c) said second dividing means is connected to said additional separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide said vapor stream into said first and second streams; and

(d) a third expansion means is connected to said additional separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand said at least one liquid stream to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein

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

(b) said second heat exchange means is connected to said additional combining means to receive said combined stream and cool said combined stream sufficiently to substantially condense it;

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

(d) said third heat exchange means is connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat said expanded cooled combined stream;

(e) said first and second absorbing means is connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded combined stream as a teed thereto between said first and second absorbing means; and

(f) said third expansion means is connected to said additional separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand said any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

26. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein

(a) said first heat exchange means is adapted to cool said gas stream;

and

(b) said first dividing means is connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled gas stream and divide said cooled gas stream into said first and second streams.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein

(a) said first heat exchange means is adapted to cool said gas stream sufficiently to partially condense said gas stream;

(b) an additional separating means is connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said partially condensed gas stream and separate said partially condensed gas stream a vapor stream and at least one liquid stream;

(c) said first dividing means is connected to said additional separating means to receive said vapor stream and divide said vapor stream into said first and second streams; and

(d) a third expansion means is connected to said additional separating means to receive at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand said at least one liquid stream to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded at least a portion of said at least one liquid stream as a feed thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 wherein

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

(b) said second heat exchange means is connected to said additional combining means to receive said combined stream and cool said combined stream sufficiently to substantially condense said combined stream;

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

(d) said third heat exchange means is connected to said first expansion means to receive said expanded cooled combined stream and heat said expanded cooled combined stream;

(e) said first and second absorbing means is connected to said third heat exchange means to receive said heated expanded combined stream as a feed thereto between said first and second absorbing means; and

(f) said third expansion means is connected to said additional separating means to receive any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream and expand said any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream to said lower pressure, said third expansion means being further connected to said processing assembly to supply said expanded any remaining portion of said at least one liquid stream as said tied thereto below said second absorbing means and above said heat and mass transfer means.

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

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

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

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

33. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein

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

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

(3) said gas collecting means is connected to said first combining means to receive said cooled gas stream and direct said cooled gas stream 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 gas collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and divide said further cooled gas stream into said first and second streams.

34. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein

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

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

(3) said gas collecting means is connected to said first heat exchange means to receive said cooled gas stream and direct said cooled gas stream 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 gas collecting means to receive said further cooled gas stream and divide said further cooled gas stream into said first and second streams.

35. The apparatus according to claim 29, 30, 24, or 25, wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said additional 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.

36. The apparatus according to claim 31, 32, 27, or 28 wherein

(1) an additional heat and mass transfer means is included inside said additional 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.

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

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said heat and mass transfer means and connected to said 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 second absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply said third distillation vapor stream to said lower region of said second absorbing means; and

(4) said 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 said partially stripped distillation liquid stream, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

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

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said heat and mass transfer means and connected to said 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 second absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply said third distillation vapor stream to said lower region of said second absorbing means; and

(4) said 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 said partially stripped distillation liquid stream, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

39. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said heat and mass transfer means and connected to said 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 second absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply said third distillation vapor stream to said lower region of said second absorbing means; and

(4) said 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 said partially stripped distillation liquid stream, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream to form said heated and stripped distillation liquid stream that is discharged from said processing assembly as said relatively less volatile fraction.

40. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein

(1) an additional absorbing means is included inside said processing assembly above said heat and mass transfer means and connected to said 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 second absorbing means is adapted to be connected to said additional absorbing means to receive said third distillation vapor stream and supply said third distillation vapor stream to said lower region of said second absorbing means; and

(4) said 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 said partially stripped distillation liquid stream, thereby further stripping said partially stripped distillation liquid stream 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, 29, 30, 33, 24, or 25, wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

42. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.

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

44. The apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said heat and mass transfer means includes one or more passes for an external heating medium to supplement the heating supplied by said second portion for said stripping of said more volatile components from said distillation liquid stream.