Apparatus for condensing hydrocarbons, such as but not limited to butane
and propane, from a stream of natural gas includes as its primary
components a pre-cooler assembly, a chiller assembly, a refrigerant
compressor/condenser assembly, and separator assembly. In the pre-cooler
assembly warm gas entering the apparatus is cooled by counter-current
flow heat exchange with cooled natural gas exiting the apparatus. The
chiller assembly of the apparatus the hydrocarbon stream is cooled in
co-current flow heat exchange with a first refrigerant tube, carrying a
first refrigerant which is itself cooled in co-current heat exchange with
a second refrigerant tube disposed in coaxial relationship with the first
refrigerant tube. Both first and second refrigerant tubes are disposed in
coaxial relationship with an outer jacket conveying the gas stream
through the chiller assembly. Condensed hydrocarbons are separated from
the gas stream in the separator assembly.