System, apparatus, and method for hydrocarbon processing

A system for separating a natural gas stream, the system comprising:

• a natural gas inlet;
• a first fractionator including one or more inlets, wherein at least one of the inlets of the first fractionator is in fluid communication with the natural gas inlet, the first fractionator including a first vapor effluent outlet and a first liquid product outlet;
• and
• a second fractionator, the second fractionator including one or more inlets in fluid communication with the first vapor effluent outlet, the second fractionator including a second vapor effluent outlet and a second liquid product outlet, wherein the second liquid product outlet is in fluid communication with at least one of the inlets of the first fractionator.

A method for retrofitting a natural gas separation plant that includes a natural gas inlet, a first fractionator including one or more inlets, wherein at least one of the inlets of the first fractionator is in fluid communication with the natural gas inlet, the first fractionator including a first vapor effluent outlet and a first liquid product outlet, the method comprising:

• providing a second fractionator, the second fractionator including one or more inlets, a second vapor effluent outlet, and a second liquid product outlet;
• fluidly coupling at least one inlet of the second fractionator with the first vapor effluent outlet;
• and
• fluidly coupling the second liquid product outlet with at least one of the inlets of the first fractionator.

A process for the separation of a gas stream, the process comprising:

• receiving an effluent gas flow from a first fractionator operating at a first pressure;
• splitting the effluent gas flow into a first stream and a second stream;
• passing the first stream through a heat exchanger thereby causing a phase change of at least a portion of the first stream from a gaseous state to a liquid state;
• inserting the first stream into an upper portion of a second fractionator operating at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure;
• inserting the second stream into a lower portion of the second fractionator;
• and diverting liquids from a lower portion of the second fractionator to the first fractionator.