EP0505812A1 - Low temperature air separation process - Google Patents

Low temperature air separation process Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0505812A1
EP0505812A1 EP92104008A EP92104008A EP0505812A1 EP 0505812 A1 EP0505812 A1 EP 0505812A1 EP 92104008 A EP92104008 A EP 92104008A EP 92104008 A EP92104008 A EP 92104008A EP 0505812 A1 EP0505812 A1 EP 0505812A1
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stage
pressure
partial flow
partial
work
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0505812B1 (en
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Wilhelm Dipl.-Ing. Rohde (Fh)
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04018—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of main feed air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04024—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of purified feed air, so-called boosted air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/04103—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression using solely hydrostatic liquid head
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
    • F25J3/04115—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04157—Afterstage cooling and so-called "pre-cooling" of the feed air upstream the air purification unit and main heat exchange line
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04193—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/50—Oxygen or special cases, e.g. isotope-mixtures or low purity O2
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
    • F25J2240/10—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream the fluid being air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/40—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/04—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/939—Partial feed stream expansion, air

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Separation Of Gases By Adsorption (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

A low-temperature air separation process is described, in particular for producing oxygen of medium purity. In the process, the entire feed air (1) is compressed in a first compressor stage (2) and purified by adsorption (4). A first part-stream (101) of the air is fed into the pressure stage (7) of a two-stage rectification column (6). A second part-stream is fed directly to the low-pressure stage (8). According to the invention, it is separated off from the remaining feed air after the adsorption (4), warmed (3) by exchange with compressed feed air and expanded, producing work (13). The work thus recovered is used at least partially for compressing (2) the feed air. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft, bei dem Einsatzluft verdichtet, gereinigt, abgekühlt und in mehrere Teilströme aufgeteilt in die Druckstufe und in die Niederdruckstufe einer zweistufigen Rektifiziereinrichtung eingeleitet wird, wobei ein erster Teilstrom der Druckstufe und ein zweiter Teilstrom der Niederdruckstufe zugeleitet werden.The invention relates to a method for the low-temperature decomposition of air, in which feed air is compressed, cleaned, cooled and divided into several partial streams into the pressure stage and into the low-pressure stage of a two-stage rectification device, a first partial stream being fed to the pressure stage and a second partial stream to the low-pressure stage .

Ein derartiges Verfahren ist aus der EP-A 0 342 436 bekannt. Hier wird die Einsatzluft zunächst nur auf Niederdruckstufendruck komprimiert und auf dem mittleren Druckniveau in einen ersten und in einen zweiten Teilstrom aufgeteilt. Lediglich der erste Teilstrom, der teilweise in die Drucksäule eingespeist wird, wirdweiter verdichtet. Dieser Prozeß bewirkt zwar eine sehr wirtschaftliche Verwendung der Kompressionsenergie. Allerdings ist man gezwungen, die Entfernung von Kohlendioxid, Kohlenwasserstoffen und Wasser aus dem zweiten Teilstrom in einer eigenen Reinigungsstufe, in der Regel einer Molsiebstation, vorzunehmen. Durch den niedrigen Druck benötigt dieses Molsieb hohe Mengen an Regeneriergas. Diese stehen dann für andere Zwecke nicht mehr zur Verfügung, insbesondere nicht für eine kostengünstige Verdunstungskühlung des für die Vorkühlung der Luft benötigten Kühlwassers.Such a method is known from EP-A 0 342 436. Here, the feed air is initially only compressed to low-pressure stage pressure and divided into a first and a second partial flow at the medium pressure level. Only the first partial flow, which is partly fed into the pressure column, is further compressed. This process causes a very economical use of the compression energy. However, one is forced to remove carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and water from the second partial stream in a separate cleaning stage, usually a molecular sieve station. Due to the low pressure, this molecular sieve requires large amounts of regeneration gas. These are then no longer available for other purposes, in particular not for cost-effective evaporative cooling of the cooling water required for the pre-cooling of the air.

Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art dahingehend weiterzuentwickeln, das seine Wirtschaftlichkeit erhöht und insbesondere eine kostengünstigere Luftreinigung durchgeführt werden kann.The invention is therefore based on the object of further developing a method of the type mentioned at the outset which increases its economy and, in particular, can be carried out at less expensive air cleaning.

Diese Aufgabe wird dadurch gelöst, daß die Einsatzluft in einer ersten Verdichterstufe auf etwa Druckstufendruck gebracht, in einer Reinigungsstufe durch Adsorption gereinigt und anschließend in den ersten und zweiten Teilstrom aufgeteilt wird und der zweite Teilstrom vor der Einspeisung in die Niederdruckstufe in indirektem Wärmetausch gegen verdichtete Einsatzluft angewärmt und arbeitsleistend entspannt wird und daß bei der Entspannung des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Verdichtung eines Prozeßstroms, insbesondere von Einsatzluft verwendet wird.This object is achieved in that the feed air is brought to approximately the pressure level in a first compressor stage, cleaned by adsorption in a cleaning stage and then divided into the first and second partial streams and the second partial stream before the feed into the low pressure stage in indirect heat exchange against compressed feed air is warmed up and relieved of work and that work gained during the expansion of the second partial flow is used to compress a process flow, in particular feed air.

Durch die erfindungsgemäße Verfahrensführung ist es möglich, die gesamte Einsatzluft in einer einzigen Reinigungsstufe zu behandeln, und zwar unter Druckstufendruck. Es entfallen die Investitionskosten und der hohe Betriebsaufwand für eine zusätzliche Niederdruck-Reinigungsstufe. Die überschüssige Kompressionsenergie, die in den zweiten Teilstrom gesteckt wird, kann in einer Turbine teils als mechanische Arbeit zurückgewonnen, teils in Kälte umgesetzt werden.The process control according to the invention makes it possible to treat the entire feed air in a single cleaning stage, namely under pressure stage pressure. The investment costs and the high operating costs for an additional low-pressure cleaning stage are eliminated. The excess compression energy that is put into the second partial flow can be recovered in a turbine partly as mechanical work and partly converted into cold.

Die Arbeit wird in der Regel vollständig und direkt durch mechanische Kopplung an einen Verdichter abgegeben, zusätzlich oder alternativ kann jedoch auch ein Generator angetrieben werden. Um die arbeitsleistende Entspannung unter günstigen Bedingungen durchzuführen, wird der zweite Teilstrom vorher angewärmt. Dabei kann verdichteter Einsatzluft günstig Wärme entzogen werden.The work is usually given completely and directly to a compressor by mechanical coupling, but additionally or alternatively a generator can also be driven. In order to carry out the relaxation work under favorable conditions, the second partial flow is warmed up beforehand. In this way, heat can be extracted from compressed compressed air cheaply.

Durch den von der Turbine angetriebenen Verdichter kann beispielsweise ein Produkt- oder einer Zwischenproduktstrom fließen. Im allgemeinen ist die Verwendung der bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung gewonnenen Arbeit zur Verdichtung von Einsatzluft am günstigsten.A product or an intermediate product flow can flow through the compressor driven by the turbine. In general, it is most convenient to use the work gained from work relaxation to compress feed air.

Zusätzlich kann in dem Verfahren Kälte erzeugt werden, indem stromabwärts der Adsorption ein dritter Teilstrom abgezweigt, in einer zweiten Verdichterstufe nachverdichtet, anschließend abgekühlt, arbeitsleistend entspannt und in die Niederdruckstufe eingespeist wird, wobei bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung des dritten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Nachverdichtung des dritten Teilstroms in der zweiten Verdichterstufe eingesetzt wird. Hierbei wird ebenfalls nicht benötigter Druck für die Erzeugung von Verfahrenkälte ausgenutzt.In addition, cold can be generated in the process by branching off a third partial stream downstream of the adsorption, post-compressing in a second compressor stage, then cooling, relieving work and feeding it into the low-pressure stage, with work obtained during the work-relieving expansion of the third partial stream to post-compress the third Partial flow is used in the second compressor stage. In this case, pressure that is not required is also used to generate process cooling.

Für die Übertragung von Arbeit und Kälte stellt die Erfindung zwei Varianten zur Verfügung:
Zum einen kann bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zum Antrieb der ersten Verdichterstufe eingesetzt werden. Da diese Arbeit selbstverständlich nicht für den Antrieb des Luftverdichters ausreicht, muß die Welle, die in der Regel Entspannungsturbine und erste Verdichterstufe verbindet, zusätzlich durch einen Motor angetrieben werden.The invention provides two variants for the transfer of work and cold:
On the one hand, work gained during the work-relieving expansion of the second partial flow can be used to drive the first compressor stage. Since this work is of course not sufficient to drive the air compressor, the shaft, which usually connects the expansion turbine and the first compressor stage, must also be driven by a motor.

Dabei ist es vorteilhaft, wenn die Anwärmung des zweiten Teilstroms vor seiner Entspannung durch indirekten Wärmetausch mit Einsatzluft hinter der ersten Verdichterstufe und vor der Reinigungsstufe durchgeführt wird.It is advantageous if the heating of the second partial flow is carried out before it is relaxed by indirect heat exchange with feed air after the first compressor stage and before the cleaning stage.

An dieser Stelle muß die Einsatzluft ohnehin vorgekühlt werden. Sie verläßt in der Regel einen mit Kühlwasser von etwa 25°C betriebenen Kühler mit einer Temperatur von ca. 35°C und muß für die Adsorption in der Reinigungsstufe auf etwa 10°C bis 15°C gebracht werden. Dies wird im allgemeinen durch eine externe Kälteanlage oder durch kaltes Kühlwasser bewerkstelligt, das einem mit trockenem Stickstoff betriebenen Verdunstungskühler entnommen wird. Diese Vorkühlung kann nun zumindest teilweise von dem gereinigten zweiten Teilstrom übernommen werden, so daß die Kosten für die Kälteanlage verringert werden beziehungsweise der Stickstoff für andere Aufgaben zur Verfügung steht.At this point, the feed air must be pre-cooled anyway. It usually leaves a cooler operated with cooling water of approximately 25 ° C. and a temperature of approximately 35 ° C. and must be brought to approximately 10 ° C. to 15 ° C. for the adsorption in the cleaning stage. This is generally accomplished by an external refrigeration system or by cold cooling water taken from an evaporative cooler operated with dry nitrogen. This pre-cooling can now be at least partially carried out by the cleaned second partial flow, so that the costs for the refrigeration system are reduced or the nitrogen is available for other tasks.

In einer zweiten Variante wird bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit in einer dritten Verdichterstufe zur Nachverdichtung des dritten Teilstroms eingesetzt.In a second variant, work obtained in the work-relieving expansion of the second partial flow is used in a third compressor stage for post-compression of the third partial flow.

Diese dritte Verdichterstufe ist vorzugsweise derzweiten Verdichterstufe vorgeschaltet und dient zur Erhöhung der Druckdifferenz bei der Entspannung des dritten Teilstroms.This third compressor stage is preferably connected upstream of the second compressor stage and serves to increase the pressure difference when the third partial flow is expanded.

Günstig ist es außerdem, wenn stromabwärts der Reinigungsstufe zusätzlich oder alternativ ein vierter Teilstrom abgezweigt, in einer vierten Verdichterstufe nachverdichtet, anschließend abgekühlt, entspannt und in die Druckstufe eingespeist wird, wobei bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Nachverdichtung des vierten Teilstroms in der vierten Verdichterstufe eingesetzt wird. Die Entspannung des vierten Teilstromes wird im allgemeinen durch ein Drosselventil bewerkstelligt.It is also expedient if, in addition or as an alternative, a fourth partial flow is branched off downstream of the purification stage, subsequently compressed in a fourth compressor stage, then cooled, decompressed and fed into the pressure stage, work being done to relieve the fourth partial flow in during the expansion of the second partial flow the fourth compressor stage is used. The relief of the fourth partial flow is generally brought about by a throttle valve.

Die Numerierung der Verdichterstufen ist hier zu ihrer klaren Unterscheidung eingeführt, sie bedeutet nicht, daß bei Existenz der vierten Verdichterstufe auch notwendigerweise die oben erwähnte zweite oder dritte Verdichterstufe vorhanden sein müssen.The numbering of the compressor stages is introduced here to clearly differentiate them, it does not mean that if the fourth compressor stage exists, the above-mentioned second or third compressor stage must also necessarily be present.

Es hat sich jedoch als vorteilhaft erwiesen, wenn der dritte und der vierte Teilstrom in einer gemeinsamen dritten Verdichterstufe nachverdichtet werden. Dritte und vierte Verdichterstufe werden dabei als eine einzige Maschine relativ kostengünstig realisiert.However, it has proven to be advantageous if the third and the fourth partial stream are post-compressed in a common third compressor stage. The third and fourth compressor stages are implemented as a single machine relatively inexpensively.

Eine zweite Art der Übertragung der Wärme auf den unter hohem Druck stehenden zweiten Teilstrom besteht nach einem weiteren Aspekt der Erfindung darin, daß die Anwärmung des zweiten Teilstroms vor seiner Entspannung durch indirekten Wärmetausch mit dem dritten und/oder vierten Teilstrom nach der Nachverdichtung in der dritten beziehungsweise vierten Verdichterstufe durchgeführt wird.According to a further aspect of the invention, a second type of transfer of the heat to the second partial stream, which is under high pressure, is that the heating of the second partial stream prior to its expansion by indirect heat exchange with the third and / or fourth partial stream after the compression in the third or fourth compressor stage is carried out.

Durch diese Maßnahme läßt sich eine besonders günstige Anpassung der Ströme an die Eintrittstemperatur des Hauptwärmetauschers erreichen, indem der oder die nachverdichteten Teilströme abgekühlt werden. Die vor Eintritt des zweiten Teilstroms in die Entspannungsturbine zur Verfügung stehende Kälte wird an dieser Stelle besonders effizient eingesetzt.This measure makes it possible to achieve a particularly favorable adaptation of the flows to the inlet temperature of the main heat exchanger by cooling the partial stream or streams which have been subsequently compressed. The cold available before the second partial flow enters the expansion turbine is used particularly efficiently at this point.

Eine Nachverdichtung des vierten Teilstroms über den Drucksäulendruck hinaus ist vor allem dann günstig, wenn bei dem Verfahren Sauerstoff unter erhöhtem Druck gewonnen werden soll. Hierbei wird in vorteilhafter Weiterbildung des erfinderischen Gedankens flüssiger Sauerstoff aus der Niederdruckstufe herausgeführt, auf Druck gebracht und in indirektem Wärmeaustausch mit dem nachverdichteten vierten Teilstrom verdampft.Post-compression of the fourth partial flow above the pressure column pressure is particularly advantageous if oxygen is to be obtained under increased pressure in the process. In an advantageous development of the inventive concept, liquid oxygen is led out of the low-pressure stage, brought to pressure and evaporated in indirect heat exchange with the post-compressed fourth partial flow.

Die unter höherem als Drucksäulendruck zur Verfügung stehende Teilmenge der Luft wird hier für eine energetisch günstige Herstellung von Drucksauerstoff verwendet. Der Sauerstoff wird in flüssiger Form auf Druck gebracht (entweder durch eine Pumpe oder durch Ausnützung eines hydrostatischen Potentials) und anschließend unter dem erhöhten Druck verdampft. Die Hochdruckluft kondensiert im Gegenstrom zum verdampfenden Sauerstoff und gibt dabei latente Wärme ab. Der indirekte Wärmetausch wird vorzugsweise in dem Hauptwärmetauscherblock vorgenommen, den auch die anderen Einsatz- und Produktströme durchströmen.The part of the air that is available under a higher pressure column pressure is used here for an energetically favorable production of pressurized oxygen. The oxygen is pressurized in liquid form (either by a pump or by utilizing a hydrostatic potential) and then evaporated under the increased pressure. The high pressure air condenses in countercurrent to the evaporating oxygen and gives off latent heat. The indirect heat exchange is preferably carried out in the main heat exchanger block through which the other feed and product flows also flow.

Dabei ist es günstig, wenn der partiell kondensierte vierte Teilstrom anschließend oberhalb des ersten Teilstroms in die Druckstufe eingeleitet wird.It is advantageous if the partially condensed fourth partial flow is then introduced into the pressure stage above the first partial flow.

In der Regel kondensiert bei dem Wärmetausch mit Drucksauerstoff der größte Teil der Hochdruckluft, so daß ein gewisser Vortrenneffekt ausgenutzt werden kann, indem das Kondensat mindestens einen theoretischen Boden, vorzugsweise etwa vier bis acht theoretische Böden oberhalb der übrigen Drucksäulenluft eingespeist wird.As a rule, most of the high-pressure air condenses during the heat exchange with pressurized oxygen, so that a certain pre-separation effect can be exploited by feeding the condensate into at least one theoretical plate, preferably about four to eight theoretical plates, above the remaining pressure column air.

Besonders vorteilhaft ist die Anwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens Gewinnung von Sauerstoff geringer Reinheit. Hiermit sind Sauerstoffreinheiten unterhalb von 99%, vorzugsweise zwischen 85% und 98% (bezogen auf das Volumen) gemeint. Bei Luftzeriegungsanlagen (mehr als 100.000 Nm³/h, vorzugsweise mehr als 200.000 Nm³/h, höchst vorzugsweise zwischen 200.000 und 400.000 Nm³/h Zerlegungsluft) kommen die Vorteile der Erfindung besonders deutlich zum Tragen. Vorteilhaft ist auch ein Einsatz im Rahmen von GUD-(combined cycle)-Anlagen oder von Anlagen zur Stahlgewinnung (z.B. COREX-Verfahren).It is particularly advantageous to use the process of obtaining low-purity oxygen. This means oxygen purities below 99%, preferably between 85% and 98% (by volume). In air separation plants (more than 100,000 Nm³ / h, preferably more than 200,000 Nm³ / h, most preferably between 200,000 and 400,000 Nm³ / h separation air), the advantages of the invention are particularly evident. Use in the framework of GUD (combined cycle) plants or plants for steel production (eg COREX process) is also advantageous.

Im folgenden werden die Erfindung und weitere Einzelheiten der Erfindung anhand zweier Ausführungsbeispiele näher erläutert, die in den Figuren 1 und 2 schematisch dargestellt ist. Soweit wie möglich werden in beiden Zeichnungen für analoge Verfahrensschritte dieselben Bezugszeichen verwendet.The invention and further details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments, which are shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. As far as possible, the same reference numerals are used in both drawings for analog process steps.

Gemäß dem Verfahrensschema der Figur 1 wird atmosphärische Luft über eine Leitung 1 von einer ersten Verdichterstufe 2 angesaugt und auf einen Druck von 5 bis 10 bar vorzugsweise etwa 5,65 bar, komprimiert, auf 5 bis 25°C, vorzugsweise etwa 12°C abgekühlt und in einer mit einem Molsieb gefüllten Reinigungsstufe 4 von Verunreinigungen wie beispielsweise Wasser, Kohlendioxid und Kohlenwasserstoffen befreit.According to the process diagram of FIG. 1, atmospheric air is sucked in via a line 1 from a first compressor stage 2 and compressed to a pressure of 5 to 10 bar, preferably about 5.65 bar, and cooled to 5 to 25 ° C., preferably about 12 ° C. and freed of impurities such as water, carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons in a cleaning stage 4 filled with a molecular sieve.

Unmittelbar hinter der Reinigungsstufe 4 wird die Einsatzluft in einen ersten Teilstrom 101 und in einen zweiten Teilstrom 102 verzweigt. Der erste Teilstrom 101 wird im Hauptwärmetauscher 5 gegen Produktströme abgekühlt und in die Druckstufe 7 einer gewöhnlichen zweistufigen Rektifiziersäule 6 eingespeist. Als Produkte werden der Niederdruckstufe 8 (Arbeitsdruck 1,2 bis 1,6 bar, vorzugsweise etwa 1,3 bar) gasförmiger Sauerstoff 9 und gasförmiger Stickstoff 10 entnommen und im Hauptwärmetauscher 5 auf etwa Umgebungstemperatur angewärmt. Der Stickstoff kann zur Regenerierung des Molsiebs der Reinigungsstufe 4 eingesetzt (Leitung 11) und/oder auch für andere Zwecke, beispielsweise zur Abkühlung von Kühlwasser in einem Verdunstungskühler über Leitung 12 abgezogen werden.Immediately after the cleaning stage 4, the feed air is branched into a first partial flow 101 and a second partial flow 102. The first partial stream 101 is cooled in the main heat exchanger 5 against product streams and fed into the pressure stage 7 of a conventional two-stage rectification column 6. Gaseous oxygen 9 and gaseous nitrogen 10 are taken from the low-pressure stage 8 (working pressure 1.2 to 1.6 bar, preferably about 1.3 bar) and heated in the main heat exchanger 5 to about ambient temperature. The nitrogen can be used to regenerate the molecular sieve of cleaning stage 4 (line 11) and / or also for other purposes, for example for cooling cooling water in an evaporative cooler, via line 12.

Der zweite Teilstrom 102 wird erfindungsgemäß in einem Wärmetauscher 3 gegen die verdichtete Einsatzluft angewärmt, in einer Turbine 13 entspannt, abgekühlt und in die Niederdruckstufe 8 eingeblasen. Der Einsatzluftstrom kann zwischen Wärmetauscher 3 und Reinigungsstufe 4 zusätzlich abgekühlt werden (in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellt), beispielsweise durch indirekten Wärmetausch mit durch Verdunstungskühlung abgekühltem Wasser.According to the invention, the second partial stream 102 is heated in a heat exchanger 3 against the compressed feed air, expanded in a turbine 13, cooled and blown into the low-pressure stage 8. The feed air flow can be additionally cooled between heat exchanger 3 and cleaning stage 4 (not shown in the drawing), for example by indirect heat exchange with water cooled by evaporative cooling.

Ein dritter Teilstrom 103 wird ebenfalls stromabwärts der Reinigungsstufe 4 abgezweigt, in einem zweiten Verdichter 14 weiterverdichtet, im Hauptwärmetauscher 5 auf eine mittlere Temperatur abgekühlt und danach in einer Turbine 15 zur Kälteerzeugung entspannt. Die beim Entspannen des Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit wird mechanisch auf den zweiten Verdichter 14 übertragen. Der entspannte dritte Teilstrom 103 wird gemeinsam mit dem entspannten und abgekühlten zweiten Teilstrom 102 in die Niederdruckstufe 8 eingeführt.A third partial flow 103 is also branched off downstream of the cleaning stage 4, further compressed in a second compressor 14, cooled to a medium temperature in the main heat exchanger 5 and then expanded in a turbine 15 for generating cooling. The work obtained when the partial flow is released is mechanically transferred to the second compressor 14. The relaxed third partial flow 103 is introduced into the low-pressure stage 8 together with the relaxed and cooled second partial flow 102.

Die Figur 2 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine zweite Variante des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens. Der zweite Teilstrom wird hier an einem Verzweigungspunkt 21 vom ersten Teilstrom 101 abgezweigt, im Wärmetauscher 3' angewärmt und in der Turbine 13' entspannt. Die dabei gewonnene Arbeit wird auf einen dritten Verdichter 16 übertragen.FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment for a second variant of the method according to the invention. The second partial flow is branched off from the first partial flow 101 at a branching point 21, warmed in the heat exchanger 3 'and expanded in the turbine 13'. The work obtained is transferred to a third compressor 16.

Der dritte Teilstrom wird im dritten Verdichter auf einen Druck von mindestens 15 bar, vorzugsweise etwa 20 bis 50 bar, komprimiert und anschließend im Wärmetauscher 3' gegen den zweiten Teilstrom 102 vor dessen Entspannung abgekühlt, bevor er den mit der Turbine 15 gekoppelten zweiten Nachverdichter 14 erreicht.The third partial flow is compressed in the third compressor to a pressure of at least 15 bar, preferably approximately 20 to 50 bar, and then cooled in the heat exchanger 3 ′ against the second partial flow 102 before it relaxes, before it has the second secondary compressor 14 coupled to the turbine 15 reached.

Hinter der dritten Verdichterstufe 16 und dem Wärmetauscher 3' wird aus dem dritten Teilstrom ein vierter Teilstrom 104 abgezweigt (22), im Hauptwärmetauscher 5 abgekühlt und in die Druckstufe 7 eingedrosselt. Im Gegenstrom hierzu wird Sauerstoff verdampft, der über Leitung 9 der Niederdruckstufe entnommen und in einer Pumpe 17 auf einen Druck von mindestens 4 bar, vorzugsweise 20 bis 100 bar, gebracht wurde. Die Hochdruckluft im vierten Teilstrom kondensiert bei dem Wärmeaustausch fast vollständig und wird oberhalb des ersten Teilstroms 101 in die Druckstufe 7 eingespeist.After the third compressor stage 16 and the heat exchanger 3 ′, a fourth partial stream 104 is branched off from the third partial stream (22), cooled in the main heat exchanger 5 and throttled into the pressure stage 7. In countercurrent to this, oxygen is evaporated, which was taken from line 9 of the low-pressure stage and brought to a pressure of at least 4 bar, preferably 20 to 100 bar, in a pump 17. The high pressure air in the fourth partial flow condenses almost completely during the heat exchange and is fed into the pressure stage 7 above the first partial flow 101.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren mit Direkteinspeisung von Einsatzluft in die Niederdruckstufe erweist sich als wirtschaftlich günstig, wenn beim Produktsauerstoff (Leitungen 23 und 24 im Ausführungsbeispiel) eine Reinheit von 85 bis 98% erzielt werden soll. Falls beispielsweise eine Sauerstoffreinheit von 96% gewünscht ist, können bis zu 35% der Einsatzluft über den zweiten und dritten Teilstrom 102, 103 direkt in die Niederdruckstufe eingespeist werden, ohne die Sauerstoffausbeute merklich zu verringern.The method according to the invention with direct feed of feed air into the low-pressure stage proves to be economically advantageous if a purity of 85 to 98% is to be achieved for the product oxygen (lines 23 and 24 in the exemplary embodiment). If, for example, an oxygen purity of 96% is desired, up to 35% of the feed air can be fed directly into the low-pressure stage via the second and third partial streams 102, 103 without significantly reducing the oxygen yield.

Claims (11)

Verfahren zur Tieftemperaturzeriegung von Luft, bei dem Einsatzluft (1) verdichtet (2), gereinigt (4), abgekühlt (5) und in mehrere Teilströme aufgeteilt in die Druckstufe (7) und in die Niederdruckstufe (8) einer zweistufigen Rektifiziereinrichtung (6) eingeleitet wird, wobei - ein erster Teilstrom (101) der Druckstufe (7) und - ein zweiter Teilstrom (102) der Niederdruckstufe (8) zugeleitet werden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß - die Einsatzluft (1) in einer ersten Verdichterstufe (2) auf etwa Druckstufendruck gebracht, in einer Reinigungsstufe (4) durch Adsorption gereinigt und anschließend in den ersten (101) und zweiten (102) Teilstrom aufgeteilt wird und - der zweite Teilstrom (102) vor der Einspeisung in die Niederdrucksäule (8) in indirektem Wärmetausch (3, 3') gegen verdichtete Einsatzluft angewärmt und arbeitsleistend entspannt (13, 13') wird und daß - bei der Entspannung (13, 13') des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Verdichtung (2,16) eines Prozeßstroms, insbesondere von Einsatzluft verwendet wird. Process for the low-temperature extraction of air, in which feed air (1) compresses (2), cleaned (4), cooled (5) and is divided into several partial flows into the pressure stage (7) and the low pressure stage (8) of a two-stage rectification device (6) is initiated, whereby - A first partial flow (101) of the pressure stage (7) and - A second partial stream (102) of the low pressure stage (8) are fed, characterized in that - The feed air (1) in a first compressor stage (2) brought to about pressure stage pressure, cleaned in a cleaning stage (4) by adsorption and then divided into the first (101) and second (102) partial stream and - The second partial flow (102) before feeding into the low-pressure column (8) in indirect heat exchange (3, 3 ') against compressed feed air and heated to perform work (13, 13') is relaxed and that - Work obtained in the expansion (13, 13 ') of the second partial stream for compressing (2,16) a process stream, in particular feed air. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß stromabwärts der Adsorption (4) ein dritter Teilstrom (103) abgezweigt, in einer zweiten Verdichterstufe (14) nachverdichtet, anschließend abgekühlt (5), arbeitsleistend entspannt (15) und in die Niederdruckstufe (8) eingespeist wird, wobei bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung (15) des dritten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Nachverdichtung des dritten Teilstroms in der zweiten Verdichterstufe (14) eingesetztwird.Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that a third partial stream (103) branches off downstream of the adsorption (4), is further compressed in a second compressor stage (14), then cooled (5), relaxed during work (15) and into the low-pressure stage (8) is fed in, the work obtained in the work-relieving pressure (15) of the third partial flow being used to recompress the third partial flow in the second compressor stage (14). Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung (13) des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zum Antrieb der ersten Verdichterstufe (2) eingesetzt wird.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the work obtained during the relaxation of the second partial flow (13) to drive the first compressor stage (2). Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anwärmung des zweiten Teilstroms vor seiner Entspannung durch indirekten Wärmetausch (3) mit Einsatzluft hinter der ersten Verdichterstufe (2) und vor der Reinigungsstufe (4) durchgeführt wird.A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the heating of the second partial flow is carried out before its expansion by indirect heat exchange (3) with feed air after the first compressor stage (2) and before the cleaning stage (4). Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung (13') des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit in einer dritten Verdichterstufe (16) zur Nachverdichtung des dritten Teilstroms eingesetzt wird.A method according to claim 2, characterized in that in the work relieving pressure (13 ') of the second partial flow, work obtained is used in a third compressor stage (16) for the subsequent compression of the third partial flow. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüch 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß stromabwärts der Reinigungsstufe (4) ein vierter Teilstrom (104) abgezweigt, in einer vierten Verdichterstufe (16) nachverdichtet, anschließend abgekühlt (5), entspannt und in die Druckstufe (7) eingespeist wird, wobei bei der arbeitsleistenden Entspannung (13') des zweiten Teilstroms gewonnene Arbeit zur Nachverdichtung des vierten Teilstroms in der vierten Verdichterstufe (16) eingesetzt wird.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a fourth partial stream (104) branches off downstream of the cleaning stage (4), is further compressed in a fourth compressor stage (16), then cooled (5), decompressed and into the pressure stage (7) is fed in, the work obtained during the work-relieving expansion (13 ') of the second partial flow being used to recompress the fourth partial flow in the fourth compressor stage (16). Verfahren nach Anspruch 5 und 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dritter und vierter Teilstrom in einer gemeinsamen dritten Verdichterstufe (16) nachverdichtet werden.Method according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that third and fourth partial streams are post-compressed in a common third compressor stage (16). Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anwärmung des zweiten Teilstroms vor seiner Entspannung durch indirekten Wärmetausch (3') mit dem dritten und/oder vierten Teilstrom nach der Nachverdichtung in der dritten beziehungsweise vierten Verdichterstufe (16) durchgeführt wird.Method according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the heating of the second partial flow before its expansion by indirect heat exchange (3 ') with the third and / or fourth partial flow after the compression is carried out in the third or fourth compressor stage (16) . Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 5 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß flüssiger Sauerstoff aus der Niederdruckstufe (8) herausgeführt (9), auf Druck gebracht (17) und in indirektem Wärmeaustausch (5) mit dem nachverdichteten vierten Teilstrom (104) verdampft wird.Method according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that liquid oxygen is led out (9) from the low-pressure stage (8), brought to pressure (17) and evaporated in indirect heat exchange (5) with the post-compressed fourth partial stream (104). Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der vierte Teilstrom (104) bei dem indirekten Wärmetausch (5) mit verdampfendem Sauerstoff mindestens teilweise kondensiert und anschließend oberhalb des ersten Teilstroms (101) in die Druckstufe (7) eingeleitet wird.Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the fourth partial flow (104) is at least partially condensed in the indirect heat exchange (5) with evaporating oxygen and is then introduced into the pressure stage (7) above the first partial flow (101). Anwendung des Verfahrens nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10 zur Gewinnung von Sauerstoff geringer Reinheit.Application of the method according to one of claims 1 to 10 for the production of oxygen of low purity.
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EP2784420A1 (en) 2013-03-26 2014-10-01 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method for air separation and air separation plant
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EP2963369B1 (en) 2014-07-05 2018-05-02 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for the cryogenic decomposition of air
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DE4109945A1 (en) 1992-10-01
DE59204027D1 (en) 1995-11-23
DK0505812T3 (en) 1995-12-18
ES2077898T3 (en) 1995-12-01
US5263328A (en) 1993-11-23
AU1316692A (en) 1992-10-01
CA2063928C (en) 2003-05-06
CN1064125C (en) 2001-04-04
ZA922185B (en) 1993-09-24
EP0505812B1 (en) 1995-10-18
ATE129336T1 (en) 1995-11-15
CA2063928A1 (en) 1992-09-27
CN1065326A (en) 1992-10-14

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