Author: claimsbot

1. A method for creation of an interconnect pattern, comprising:
providing a layer of conductive material over a semiconductor surface, a layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
depositing a layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) over the layer of ARC;
patterning and developing the layer of PAD, creating an interconnect pattern therein, exposing the layer of ARC;
removing the exposed ARC; and
filling the interconnect pattern with a conductive material.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive material comprises copper.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
9. A method for creation of a dual damascene interconnect pattern, comprising:
providing a layer of conductive material over a semiconductor surface, a layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
depositing a first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) over the layer of ARC;
depositing a second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric over the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric, the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric comprising a Photo-Active Dielectric material having a different chemical composition than the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric;
first patterning and developing the second layer of PAD, creating a trench pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein, exposing the first layer of PAD;
second patterning and developing the exposed first layer of PAD, creating a via pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein aligned with the trench pattern, the second patterning and developing comprising a different type of lithographic exposure than the first patterning and developing, exposing the layer of ARC;
removing the exposed ARC; and
filling the trench pattern and the via pattern with a conductive material.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the conductive material comprises copper.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and polypolyoxides (PPO).
17. The method of claim 9, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
18. The method of claim 9, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
19. The method of claim 9, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and polypolyoxides (PPO).
20. The method of claim 9, wherein the different type of lithographic exposure is UV lithography, DUV lithography, E-beam lithography, X-ray lithography or ion beam lithography.
21. The method of claim 9, wherein filling the trench pattern and the via pattern with a conductive material comprises methods of metal deposition followed by Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP).
22. A method for creation of a dual damascene interconnect pattern, comprising:
providing a layer of conductive material over a semiconductor surface, a first layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
depositing a first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) over the first layer of ARC;
depositing a second layer of ARC over the first layer of PAD;
depositing a second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric over the second layer of ARC, the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric comprising a Photo-Active Dielectric material having a different chemical composition than the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric;
first patterning and developing the second layer of PAD, creating an trench pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein, exposing the second layer of ARC;
removing the exposed second layer of ARC, exposing the first layer of PAD;
second patterning and developing the first layer of PAD, creating a via pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein aligned with the trench pattern, the second patterning and developing comprising a different type of lithographic exposure than the first patterning and developing, exposing the first layer of ARC;
removing the exposed first layer of ARC; and
filling the trench pattern and the via pattern with a conductive material.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the conductive material comprises copper.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
27. The method of claim 22, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
28. The method of claim 22, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
29. The method of claim 22, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
30. The method of claim 22, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
31. The method of claim 22, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
32. The method of claim 22, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
33. The method of claim 22, wherein the different type of lithographic exposure is UV exposure, DUV exposure, E-beam lithography, X-ray lithography or ion beam lithography.
34. The method of claim 22, wherein filling the trench pattern and the via pattern with a conductive material comprises methods of metal deposition followed by Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP).
35. An interconnect pattern created in a layer of insulation material, comprising:
a layer of conductive material provided over a semiconductor surface, a layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
a layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) having been deposited over the layer of ARC, the layer of PAD having been patterned and developed, an interconnect pattern having been created therein, the layer of ARC having been removed from underneath the interconnect pattern; and
the interconnect pattern having been filled with a conductive material.
36. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the conductive material comprises copper.
37. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
38. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
39. The interconnect pattern of claim 38, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
40. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
41. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
42. The interconnect pattern of claim 35, wherein the layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and polypolyoxides (PPO).
43. A dual damascene interconnect pattern created in a layer of insulation, comprising:
a layer of conductive material having been provided over a semiconductor surface, a layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
a first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) having been deposited over the layer of ARC, the first layer of PAD having been second patterned and developed, having created a via pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein;
a second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric having been deposited over the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric, the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric comprising a Photo-Active Dielectric material having a different chemical composition than the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric, the second layer of PAD having been first patterned and developed, having created a trench pattern of the dual damascene pattern therein aligned with the via pattern;
the exposed ARC having been removed from underneath the dual damascene interconnect pattern; and
the trench pattern and the via pattern having been filled with a conductive material.
44. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the conductive material comprises copper.
45. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
46. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
47. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 46, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
48. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
49. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
50. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
51. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
52. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
53. The dual damascene interconnect pattern 43, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
54. A dual damascene interconnect pattern formed in a layer of insulating material, comprising:
a layer of conductive material having been provided over a semiconductor surface, a first layer of Anti Reflective Coating (ARC) having been deposited over the layer of conductive material;
a first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) having been deposited over the first layer of ARC, the first layer of PAD having been second patterned and developed, having created a via pattern of a dual damascene pattern;
a second layer of ARC having been deposited over the first layer of PAD;
a second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric having been deposited over the second layer of ARC, the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric comprising a Photo-Active Dielectric material having a different chemical composition than the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric, the second layer of PAD having been patterned and developed, having created a trench pattern of a dual damascene pattern therein aligned with the via pattern;
the second layer of ARC having been removed from underneath the trench pattern;
the first layer of ARC having been removed from underneath the via pattern; and
the trench pattern and the via pattern having been filled with a conductive material.
55. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the conductive material is copper.
56. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the semiconductor surface is a printed circuit board, a flex circuit, a metallized substrate, a glass substrate or a semiconductor device mounting support.
57. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the semiconductor surface is a semiconductor substrate.
58. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 57, wherein the semiconductor surface is a ceramic substrate, a glass substrate, a gallium arsenide substrate, a silicon substrate comprising a single layer of material, such as a silicon wafer or comprising silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and silicon on sapphire (SOS) technology, a doped or undoped semiconductor, an epitaxial layer of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, a sapphire substrate or a substrate used for flat panel displays.
59. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
60. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
61. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the first layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).
62. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a polymer.
63. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is a low-k polymer material including polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polysilsequioxane, benzocyclobutene (BCB), parlene F, parlene N and amorphous polytetrafluorothylene.
64. The dual damascene interconnect pattern of claim 54, wherein the second layer of Photo-Active Dielectric (PAD) is polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polyoxides (PO), polymethylmethacrylate (PPMA) and poly-polyoxides (PPO).

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for detecting operator alertness of an operator of a vehicle or machine, the method comprising steps of:
determining whether at least one eye of the operator is visible;
determining whether the operator is generally facing forward with respect to the vehicle;
and responsive to determining that at least one eye of the operator is not visible or that the operator is not facing forward, applying at least one of position analysis and motion analysis to a three dimensional representation of the operator to determine alertness of the operator, wherein the applying further comprises:
collecting reference position data associated with the operator, or a portion thereof, when the operator is in an alert state;
determining observed position data of one or more points of a three dimensional representation of the operator during a time interval, wherein the three dimensional representation of the operator is established via stereo vision processing; and
sending an alert signal to alert the operator if a detected angular shift of one or more points of the representation exceed a displacement threshold.
2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
applying an eye monitoring algorithm to detect operator alertness, in lieu of the step of applying at least one of position analysis and motion analysis, if at least one eye of the operator is visible and if the operator is facing forward.
3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:
gathering a pair of raw stereo scene images of the operator, or the portion thereof, from spatially offset perspectives;
combining the raw stereo scene images to produce a disparity map image that represents a disparity between the raw stereo scene images; and
creating a three dimensional representation of the operator, or the portion thereof, that excludes non-operator related background image data based on the disparity map and the raw stereo scene images.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the detected angular shift represents an inclination forwards, backwards, or sideways of one or more points of the representation.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the applying further comprises:
collecting reference motion data associated with the operator representation when the operator is in an alert state;
determining observed motion data of one or more points of a three dimensional representation of the operator during a time interval, wherein a change in position versus time is determined for the one or more points of the three dimensional representation of the operator; and
sending an alert signal to alert the operator if a detected angular shift of one or more points of the representation exceed a motion threshold.
6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising establishing the three dimensional representation of the operator via stereo vision processing.
7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising:
gathering a pair of raw stereo scene images of the operator, or the portion thereof, from spatially offset perspectives;
combining the raw stereo scene images to produce a disparity map image that represents a disparity between the raw stereo scene images; and
creating a three dimensional representation of the operator, or the portion thereof, that excludes non-operator related background image data based on the disparity map and the raw stereo scene images.
8. The method according to claim 5 wherein the detected angular shift represents an inclination forwards, backwards, or sideways of one or more points of the representation during an elapsed time period.
9. A system for detecting operator alertness of an operator of a vehicle or machine, the system comprising:
an image processor for determining whether at least one eye of the operator is visible and for determining whether the operator is generally facing forward with respect to the vehicle; and an analyzer for applying, responsive to determining that at least one eye of the operator is not visible or that the operator is not facing forward, at least one of position analysis and motion analysis to a three dimensional representation of the operator to determine alertness of the operator if at least one eye of operator is not visible or if the operator is generally facing forward, wherein the applying further comprises: an image collection system for collecting reference position data associated with the operator, or portion thereof, when the operator is in an alert state;
an object position estimator for determining observed position data of one or more points of a three dimensional representation of the operator during a time interval;
a three dimensional image former for establishing the three dimensional representation of the operator via stereo vision processing; and the analyzer for sending an alert signal to alert the operator if a detected angular shift of one or more points of the representation exceed a displacement threshold.
10. The system according to claim 9 further comprising:
an evaluator for applying an eye monitoring algorithm, in lieu of the analyzer applying at least one of position analysis and motion analysis, to detect operator alertness if at least one eye of the operator is visible and if the operator is generally facing forward.
11. The system according to claim 9 further comprising:
a plurality of imaging units for gathering a pair of raw stereo scene images of the operator, or the portion thereof, from spatially offset perspectives;
an image disparity module for combining the raw stereo scene images to produce a disparity map image that represents a disparity between the raw stereo scene images; and
a three dimensional image former for creating a three dimensional representation of the operator representation that excludes non-operator related background image data based on the disparity map and the raw stereo scene images.
12. The system according to claim 9 wherein the detected angular shift represents an inclination forwards, backwards, or sideways of one or more points of the representation.
13. The system according to claim 9 further comprising an object detection module for identifying the operator, or the portion thereof, in a cab or cockpit by analyzing one or more images in three dimensional color space.
14. The system according to claim 9 wherein the applying further comprises:
an image collection system for collecting reference motion data associated with the operator, or a portion thereof, when the operator is in an alert state;
an object motion estimator for determining observed motion data of one or more points of a three dimensional representation of the operator during a time interval, wherein a change in position versus time is determined for the one or more points of the three dimensional representation of the operator;
the analyzer for sending an alert signal to alert the operator if a detected angular shift of one or more points of the representation exceed a motion threshold.
15. The system according to claim 14 further comprising a three dimensional image former for establishing the three dimensional representation of the operator via stereo vision processing.
16. The system according to claim 14 further comprising:
a plurality of imaging units for gathering a pair of raw stereo scene images of the operator, or the portion thereof, from spatially offset perspectives;
an image disparity module for combining the raw stereo scene images to produce a disparity map image that represents a disparity between the raw stereo scene images; and
a three dimensional image former for creating a three dimensional representation of the operator, or the portion thereof, that excludes non-operator related background image data based on the disparity map and the raw stereo scene images.
17. The system according to claim 14 wherein the detected angular shift represents an inclination forwards, backwards, or sideways of one or more points of the representation during a time period.
18. The system according to claim 14 further comprising an object detection module for identifying the operator, or the portion thereof, in a cab or cockpit by analyzing one or more images in three dimensional color space.

1. An in-vehicle handsfree telephone system comprising:
an in-vehicle handsfree device which is capable of transferring a voice signal to a portable terminal in a passenger compartment of a vehicle;
an operating state detection unit which detects an operating state of the vehicle,
wherein the handsfree device is responsive to a user operation and selectively operable in one of a handsfree mode in which talking on the portable terminal through the handsfree device is allowed by the transfer of the voice signal and a portable terminal stand-alone mode in which talking on the portable terminal in isolation is allowed, and
wherein the handsfree device is configured to have a switching restriction function in which the handsfree device restricts switching between the handsfree mode and the portable terminal stand-alone mode in accordance with the operating state of the vehicle detected by the operating state detection unit.
2. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the switching restriction function of the handsfree device is provided to restrict switching from the handsfree mode to the portable terminal stand-alone mode.
3. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the switching restriction function of the handsfree device is validated when the detected operating state indicates that the vehicle is running.
4. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the switching restriction function of the handsfree device is canceled when the detected operating state of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle stops.
5. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the handsfree device comprises a display indication unit which displays a validatedcanceled state of the switching restriction function which is visually recognized by the user.
6. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 5 wherein mode switching of the handsfree device is performed according to a user’s touch operation on a mode selecting switch displayed on the display indication unit, and the displaying of the mode selecting switch is cancelled when the handsfree device is in the handsfree mode and the switching restriction function is validated.
7. The in-vehicle handsfree telephone system according to claim 6 wherein the handsfree device comprises an output unit which outputs, when the switching restriction function is validated or canceled, an indication of validationcancellation of the switching restriction function which is recognizable to the user.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A process for separating less volatile hydrocarbons from more volatile hydrocarbons comprising the steps of:
a. providing a pressurized feedstock stream comprising hydrocarbons C1, C2, C3+;
b. cooling the feed stream in an LNG heat exchanger;
c. further cooling the feed stream from the heat exchanger via a first gas expansion assembly;
d. separating the further cooled stream in a first gasliquid separation vessel assembly into gas and liquid streams;
e. pumping the liquid stream (0-100%) from the first separation vessel assembly into the heat exchanger to impart a cooling effect on the feed stream in the heat exchanger;
f. recycling the gas stream from the first separation assembly into the heat exchanger to impart a cooling effect on the feed stream in the heat exchanger;
g. directing the recycled gas stream from the heat exchanger to a first compressor cooler assembly, and then compressing and cooling such gas for use at a desired location;
h. directing the recycled liquid stream from the heat exchanger to a second separation assembly wherein gas and liquid are separated;
i. directing the gas stream from the second separation assembly to a second compressor cooler assembly and compressing such gas stream;
j. cooling the gas stream from the second compressor cooler assembly via a second gas expansion assembly;
k. directing the cooled stream from the second gas expansion assembly to a third separation vessel assembly;
l. recycling the gas stream (0-100%) from the third separation vessel assembly to the first separation vessel assembly;
m. recycling the gas stream (0-100%) from the third separation vessel assembly to a first stream mixer splitter assembly;
n. recycling the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third separation vessel assembly to the first separation vessel assembly;
o. recycling the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third separation vessel assembly to the first stream mixer splitter assembly;
p. recycling the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third separation vessel assembly to the second separation vessel assembly;
q. pumping the liquid stream from the second separation vessel assembly to the first stream mixer splitter assembly;
r. directing the stream (0-100%) from the first stream mixer splitter assembly to a mixing blender or other desired end location;
s. directing the stream (0-100%) from the first stream mixer splitter assembly to a second stream mixer splitter assembly;
t. directing the stream (0-100%) from the second stream mixer splitter assembly to the mixing blender or other desired location;
u. pumping the liquid stream (0-100%) from the first separation vessel assembly into a third stream splitter;
v. directing the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third stream splitter to the first separation vessel assembly;
w. directing the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third stream splitter to a fourth stream splitter;
x. directing the liquid stream (0-100%) from the third stream splitter to a desired location;
y. directing the liquid stream (0-100%) from the fourth stream splitter to the third separation vessel assembly;
z. directing the liquid stream (0-100%) from the fourth stream splitter to the second separation vessel assembly; and
aa. directing the liquid products from the mixing blender to a desired location.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprises a hydrocarbon-containing gas.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprises natural gas.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the feed stream is pre-cooled in a pre-cooling assembly prior to the step of cooling in the heat exchanger.
5. The process of claim 4 comprising the further steps of first directing the stream (0-100%) from the first stream mixer splitter assembly to the pre-cooling assembly to provide a cooling duty to the pre-cooling assembly and then directing this stream to the second stream mixer splitter assembly.
6. The process of claim 4 wherein the pre-cooling assembly obtains its cooling duty from an external refrigeration source.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger may comprise one or more heat exchangers operating together.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein the steps of expansion are accomplished using expansion devices selected from the group consisting of: valves, turbo expanders, vortex devices, and sonic devices.
9. The process of claim 1 comprising the further steps of: (i) directing the stream (0-100%) from the second stream mixer splitter assembly to one or more process columns;
(ii) processing this stream in the one or more process columns; (iii) directing the processed product liquid stream from the one or more process columns to the mixing blender or other desired end location; and (iii) directing any residue streams from the one or more process columns to a desired location.
10. The process of claim 1 comprising the further steps of: (i) introducing a source of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons into the mixing blender; and (ii) blending the crude oil with the liquid products from the process that are present in the mixing blender.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is pressurized to between about 300 psig to 1200 psig.
12. The process of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is pressurized to about 500 psig.
13. The process of claim 1 wherein the first gas expansion assembly comprises a first turbo expander, the process comprising the additional steps of: after the step of separating the further cooled stream in a first gasliquid separation vessel assembly into gas and liquid streams, directing the gas stream into a second turbo expander, and then separating the stream from the second turbo expander into a gas stream and an additional liquid stream, the additional liquid stream being directed as per the liquid stream from the first separation vessel assembly.