A process for separating diamondoids and water from a gas stream that is
being cooled to below atmospheric temperature is disclosed. The
multi-component gas stream is contacted with a diamondoid solvent and a
water solvent (glycol) simultaneously. The feed gas can be cooled to
temperatures of at least -40.degree. F. without formation of water-based
or diamondoid solids. Downstream equipment is protected from large
accumulations of diamondoid solids or liquids. The feed gas may be
natural gas, coal seam gas, associated gas, or other naturally occurring
gases. The rich solvent with diamonoids may be regenerated or simply
recirculated with make-up of fresh solvent and a purge of rich solvent.
The rich glycol and rich diamondoid solvent streams are each separated
from the feed gas after cooling. The lean glycol and lean solvent can be
mixed using static mixers in order to inject with a single set of
nozzles.