Configurations and methods for NGL recovery for high nitrogen content feed gases

A NGL plant configured to convert from a propane recovery configuration to an ethane recovery configuration, the NGL plant comprising:

• an absorber;
• a fractionator;
• a first heat exchanger;
• a separator;
• an expander;
• and
• a chiller,
• wherein the absorber is configured to produce an absorber overhead product and an absorber bottom product,
• wherein the fractionator is configured to produce a fractionator overhead product and a fractionator bottom product,
• wherein in the propane recovery configuration:
• the first heat exchanger is configured to cool a feed gas to form a cooled feed gas,
• the separator is configured to separate the cooled feed gas into a first vapor stream and a first liquid stream,
• the expander is configured to expand the first vapor stream to form an expanded first vapor stream, and
• wherein the expanded first vapor stream is directed to a mid-section of the absorber, and the first liquid stream is directed to a bottom of the absorber;
• wherein in the ethane recovery configuration:
• the feed gas is split into a first portion and a second portion,
• the first heat exchanger is configured to cool the first portion to form a cooled first portion, wherein the cooled first portion is fed to the absorber as a top reflux,
• the chiller is configured to chill the second portion of the feed gas utilizing propane refrigeration to form a chilled second portion,
• the first heat exchanger is configured to cool the chilled second portion to form a cooled second portion,
• the separator is configured to separate the cooled second portion into a second vapor stream and a second liquid stream,
• the expander is configured to expand the second vapor stream to form an expanded second vapor stream, and
• wherein the expanded second vapor stream is fed to the mid-section of the absorber, and the second liquid stream is fed to the bottom of the absorber.