Patent ID: 7442233

Claim:
A process for the purification of a raw natural gas feed stream, wherein said process comprising the steps of: (1) passing said raw natural gas feed stream through an adsorbent unit containing an adsorbent, said adsorbent selective for removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water from said natural gas feed stream, and thereby forming a first effluent stream; (2) passing said first effluent stream in contact with an aqueous amine absorbent, wherein said aqueous amine absorbent removes acid gases from said first effluent stream thereby forming a natural gas product effluent having an acid gas content less than said first effluent stream; (3) recirculating said natural gas product effluent through said adsorbent unit containing an adsorbent selective for removal of water; (4) collecting a natural gas product stream having an amount of water and heavy hydrocarbons less than said raw natural gas stream; and (5) wherein said adsorbent in said adsorbent unit is regenerated by the release of the adsorbed heavy hydrocarbons and water using a heated purge stream.