METHODS FOR SEPARATING HYDROCARBON GASES

A process for separating a hydrocarbon gas into a fraction containing a predominant portion of the methane or ethane and lighter components and a fraction containing a predominant portion of the C2 or C3 and heavier components in which the feed gas is treated in one or more heat exchange and expansion steps; partly condensed feed gas is directed into a separator wherein a first residue vapor is separated from a C2 or C3-containing liquid; and C2 or C3-containing liquids at substantially the pressure of separation are directed into a distillation column wherein the liquid is separated into a second residue to recover a C2 or C3-containing product. A portion of the vapor and/or a portion of the liquid from the first hydrocarbon vapor/liquid separation is further cooled and introduced into a fractionation column to increase the C2 or C3 and heavier hydrocarbons recovery from the natural gas stream.