Abstract: An overhead recycle process apparatus (100) comprises a heat exchange arrangement (116, 118, 120, 146, 150, 198) and a separator (110) in fluid communication with an absorber (104) and a de-ethaniser (106), the absorber (104) having a reflux inlet port (164). An ethane rectifier (170) in fluid communication with the de-ethaniser (106) is also provided, the de-ethaniser (106) being arranged to provide cooling by heat exchange to an overhead stream path (194) of the ethane rectifier (170). The ethane rectifier (170) comprises a reflux drum (182) having an ethane outlet port (184) and a vapour phase outlet port (185) in fluid communication with the reflux inlet port (164) of the absorber (104).

Abstract: A nitrogen recovery apparatus for recovering nitrogen from natural gas comprises a separator having a liquid fraction port and a vapour fraction port in fluid communication with a split flow arrangement, the split flow arrangement having a sub-cooled fluid path and an expanded fluid path. A fractionating column has a reflux inlet port in fluid communication with the subcooled fluid path above a middle feed port thereof, the middle feed port being in fluid communication with the expanded fluid path. A bottom feed port of the fractionating column is in fluid communication with the liquid fraction port of the separator. A side reboiler circuit and a reboiler circuit are operably coupled to the fractionating column below the bottom feed port. A bottom hydrocarbon product stream path is in fluid communication with a bottom hydrocarbon port of the fractionating column.