TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The process includes sending the first lean reflux stream to the absorber column at a feed location below that of the second lean reflux stream; combining the first and second lean reflux streams prior to sending the streams to the absorber column; and sending the second lean reflux stream to a top of the absorber column.The steps of cooling the gas stream, preheating the portion of the first liquid stream, preheating the portion of the absorber bottoms stream, heating the absorber overhead stream, and cooling the portion of the residue gas stream are performed by providing heat exchange contact with a process stream from the absorber overhead stream, the absorber bottoms stream, the first liquid stream, the portion of the residue gas stream, the gas stream and/or an external refrigerant stream.The step of sending the portion of the first liquid stream to the distillation tower includes sending the portion of the first liquid stream as a lower tower feed stream.The steps of cooling and partially condensing the tower overhead stream include sending the liquid hydrocarbon stream to the distillation tower as a top tower feed stream.The step of sending the first vapor stream to the absorber column includes sending the first vapor stream as a bottom absorber feed stream.The step of sending the portion of the absorber bottoms stream to the distillation column includes sending the portion of the absorber bottoms stream as a middle tower feed stream.The steps of heating the absorber overhead stream, cooling the portion of the residue gas stream, cooling the tower overhead stream, and cooling the portion of the second vapor stream are performed by providing heat exchange contact with a process stream from the absorber overhead stream, the portion of the residue gas stream, the tower overhead stream and/or the portion of the second vapor stream.Preferred Component: The apparatus further includes a second separator (45) for separating the tower overhead stream into a second vapor stream and a liquid hydrocarbon stream; and a third exchanger for performing a process step from cooling a portion of the gas stream, and/or warming tower reboiler side stream(s).