REMOVING NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS FROM A GASEOUS NATURAL GAS STREAM

摘要

Removing natural gas liquids from a gaseous natural gas stream at elevated pressure to obtain a gaseous product stream having a reduced content of natural gas liquids comprises: (a) introducing cooled natural gas (3) into a scrub column (6) that consists of a lower stripping section (7) and an upper absorption section (8); (b) removing from the scrub column an overhead stream (12); (c) partly condensing (14) the overhead stream (12), and separating (17) the partly condensed overhead stream into a gaseous product stream (20) and a liquid reflux stream (21); (d) splitting the liquid reflux stream (21) into a first reflux stream (22) and a second reflux stream (23); (c) introducing the first reflux stream (22) into the top of the absorption section (8) of the scrub column (6); and (f) introducing the second reflux stream (23) into the top of the stripping section (7), and removing from the bottom of the scrub column (6) a liquid bottom stream (10) rich in heavier components.