LEAN REFLUX-HIGH HYDROCARBON RECOVERY PROCESS
A two-tower scheme process for the recovery of propane and heavier components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is provided. Feed gas (12) is cooled (14), partially condensed, and then separated (24) to give a first liquid stream (22) and a first vapor stream (26). First liquid stream is sent to a distillation tower (28) that recovers at the bottoms a major portion of propane and heavier components (54) and produces an overhead gas stream (42). First vapor stream (26) is expanded (30) and sent as bottom feed (34) to the absorber. Absorber produces an absorber overhead stream (16) containing essentially all the ethane and lighter components and an absorber bottoms stream (18). Absorber bottoms stream is heated (14) and sent to the distillation tower (28) as middle feed (52). Absorber overhead stream is warmed (40) and optionally compressed (48, 49). A part of the compressed stream (20) is substantially condensed and sent to absorber as top feed. The process and apparatus can be used to recover ethane and heavier hydrocarbons.