Patent ID: 7337631

Claim:
A process for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream, the process comprising: cooling the multi-component gas stream to a temperature of −120° F. (−84° C.) or lower using pressure reduction auto-refrigeration of the multi-component gas steam after heat exchange and before contacting the multi-component gas stream with a solvent in an extractor; contacting the multi-component gas stream with a solvent in an extractor at a temperature of −120° F. (−84° C.) or lower to produce an overhead stream enriched in at least one unabsorbed component and a rich solvent bottoms stream enriched in at least one absorbed component; flash evaporating the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least one reduced pressure stage to regenerate lean solvent and to produce an overhead stream enriched in the at least one absorbed component; and recycling the regenerated lean solvent to the extractor.