Patent ID: 7544272

Claim:
An apparatus for separating a feed gas containing at least methane, C 2 components and heavier components, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first separation means for receiving feed gas and for providing a first residue vapor and a first liquid containing C 2 which liquid also contains lighter hydrocarbons; (b) a heavy-ends fractionation column means connected to receive at least a portion of a first part of said first liquid containing C 2 , the heavy-ends fractionation column means being adapted to separate the first liquid C 2 into a second residue vapor containing lighter hydrocarbons and a second liquid containing C 2 product; (c) a light-ends fractionation column means connected to said first separation means to receive at least part of said first residue vapor, said light-ends fractionation column means having at least one contacting stage, means for removing a fourth vapor, and means for removing a fourth liquid, said means for removing said fourth liquid being connected to said heavy-ends fractionation column; (d) a reflux separator positioned between said first separation means and said heavy ends fractionation column, means for supplying at least part of a second part of said first liquid containing C 2 to said reflux separator, means for removing a third liquid from said reflux separator, and means for removing a third residue vapor from said reflux separator; (e) means for delivering a first part of said third liquid to a heat exchanger to cool said first part of said third liquid, and means for delivering at least part of the cooled first part of said third liquid from said heat exchanger to said light-ends fractionation column means, wherein said at least part of said first residue vapor and said at least part of the cooled first part of the third liquid commingle in said at least one contacting stage, and (f) means for delivering a second part of said third liquid to said heavy-ends fractionation column means.