Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C.sub.3 and heavier components in which process the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange, and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C.sub.3 -containing liquid; and C.sub.3 -containing liquids, at substantially the pressure of separation, are directed into a distillation column wherein said liquid is separated into a second residue is separated to recover a C.sub.3 -containing product. The foregoing process is improved by cooling said second residue to partially condense it; directing the partially condensed second residue into said separator forming thereby a liquid portion and a vapor portion; intimately contacting at least the first residue vapor with at least the liquids portion of the partly condensed second residue in at least one contacting stage within said separator, and thereafter separating the vapors and liquids from said contacting stage; supplying the liquids thereby recovered to the distillation column as a top liquid feed thereto; and directing the vapors thereby recovered into heat exchange relation with said second residue from the fractionation column, and thereafter discharging said residue gases.

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First Claim