Method of liquefying a CO2 contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream

A system for liquefying a contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream, the system comprising:

• (a) a feed conduit arranged to provide a contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream-having a contaminant being carbon dioxide (CO2);
• (b) a cooling stage arranged to receive the contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream and discharge a partially liquefied stream;
• (c) a separator arranged to receive the partially liquefied stream and to discharge a gaseous stream and a liquid stream;
• (d) a direct contact heat exchanger arranged to receive and cool the liquid stream produced in step (c) to produce a multiphase stream, the multiphase stream containing at least a liquid phase and a solid phase, the solid phase containing CO2 particles;
• (e) a solid-liquid separator arranged to receive the multiphase stream and discharge a CO2 depleted liquid stream and a CO2 enriched slurry stream;
• (f) a cooling, pressure reduction and separation stage arranged to receive the CO2 depleted liquid stream and generate a gaseous stream, a purified liquid stream and a second CO2 enriched slurry stream;
• (g) a recycle conduit which is arranged to pass at least part of the second CO2 enriched slurry stream comprising solid CO2 particles to the direct contact heat exchanger to provide cooling duty to and mix with the liquid stream produced by the separator.