FIELD: liquifying natural gas. SUBSTANCE: initial gas is cooled and separated into liquid and gas phases. Gas phase is expanded and added to liquid phase in column 7. In the top portion of the column the gas enriched with methane is supplied for recompression and then is liquified. Liquid phase in the bottom portion of column 7 is expanded and purified in column 14. Gas flowing out of the top portion 19 of the column is condensed and supplied to column 7. The pressure in column 7 is higher than that in column 14. In the bottom portion 16 hydrocarbons are separated. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency. 8 cl, 1 dwg
