Liquefaction of hydrocarbon stream, such as natural gas, with simultaneous recovery of liquid natural gas fraction comprises rectification and absorption process

摘要

A C2-rich stream (4) from the top of a column T1 is cooled before feeding (5) to a second column T2 for the removal of residual higher hydrocarbons, and the bottom C2 stream (6) from this column then recycled to the head of column T1. Stream (7) is methane rich ; a C3-C4 fraction is obtained from further rectification of stream (3). Preferred Features: A C4-C5 rich stream (8) is fed to the head of column T2. The rectification and absorption functions of columns T1 and T2 may be combined into a single column.