METHODS OF TREATING A HYDROCARBON STREAM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

摘要

A hydrocarbon stream (710) is separated in a cyclonic expansion and separation device (100) into a primary methane enriched component stream (110) and one or more methane depleted streams (120, 130). At least one of these methane depleted streams (120, 130) is separated in a first gas/liquid separator (200) to provide an overhead first methane rich stream (210) and a first methane lean stream (220). The overhead first methane rich stream (210) is expanded in a first expansion device (300) to provide an expanded first methane rich stream (310), which is fed to a separating column (400) at a first feeding level. The expanded first methane rich stream (310) is separated in a separating column (400) to provide a second methane enriched component stream (410) and a second methane depleted component stream (420).