EP0833119B1 - Process and plant for supplying an air separation unit - Google Patents

Process and plant for supplying an air separation unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0833119B1
EP0833119B1 EP97402213A EP97402213A EP0833119B1 EP 0833119 B1 EP0833119 B1 EP 0833119B1 EP 97402213 A EP97402213 A EP 97402213A EP 97402213 A EP97402213 A EP 97402213A EP 0833119 B1 EP0833119 B1 EP 0833119B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
exchange line
separation apparatus
water
compressor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97402213A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0833119A3 (en
EP0833119A2 (en
Inventor
Didier Magnet
Emmanuel Garnier
Bernard Saulnier
Jean-Louis Girault
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP0833119A2 publication Critical patent/EP0833119A2/en
Publication of EP0833119A3 publication Critical patent/EP0833119A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0833119B1 publication Critical patent/EP0833119B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04563—Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating
    • F25J3/04575—Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating for a gas expansion plant, e.g. dilution of the combustion gas in a gas turbine
    • F25J3/04581—Hot gas expansion of indirect heated nitrogen
    • 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
    • F25J3/04151—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
    • F25J3/04163—Hot end purification of the feed air
    • F25J3/04169—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities
    • 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
    • F25J3/04163—Hot end purification of the feed air
    • F25J3/04169—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities
    • F25J3/04181—Regenerating the adsorbents
    • 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
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04612—Heat exchange integration with process streams, e.g. from the air gas consuming unit
    • F25J3/04618—Heat exchange integration with process streams, e.g. from the air gas consuming unit for cooling an air stream fed to the air fractionation unit
    • 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
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/60—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using adsorption on solid adsorbents, e.g. by temperature-swing adsorption [TSA] at the hot or cold end
    • F25J2205/66—Regenerating the adsorption vessel, e.g. kind of reactivation gas
    • F25J2205/70—Heating the adsorption vessel
    • 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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/06—Adiabatic compressor, i.e. without interstage cooling
    • 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
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • F25J2270/906—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration by heat driven absorption chillers
    • 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/12—Particular process parameters like pressure, temperature, ratios
    • 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
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/908—Filter or absorber
    • 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
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/909—Regeneration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a installation for power supply for a air separation.
  • Air separation devices are typically supplied with air from at least one isothermal compressor fitted with inter-stage refrigerants in which the air is cooled by heat exchange with refrigeration air.
  • the air leaving the compressor is itself cooled in a final cooler or in an air / water tower, generally associated with a water / nitrogen tower and / or a group refrigerator.
  • This system generally called “precooling” provides air at a relatively low temperature (around 15 ° C) before direct to desiccation also limiting the size of the latter, the quantity of water contained in the air at increasing exponentially with temperature.
  • precooling provides air at a relatively low temperature (around 15 ° C) before direct to desiccation also limiting the size of the latter, the quantity of water contained in the air at increasing exponentially with temperature.
  • the compressors used are compressors isothermal.
  • EP-A-0069454 describes the use of a compressor adiabatic to power a separation device air, the compressed air then being cooled by water at high pressure.
  • the cost of installation is reduced by eliminating water refrigerants on the circuit supply air to the gas separation unit the air as well as the entire water circuit of associated cooling, including among others, towers water refrigeration, water treatment, pumps system, the distribution network, the taps, the power supplies and associated instrumentation, and finally the air water precooling system supplying the air gas separation unit.
  • This invention also has the advantage of reducing operating costs by a significant reduction of water consumption, by eliminating the costs of maintenance of the water network associated with the removal of possible corrosion problems of the water circuit and the periodic replacement of certain components (refrigerants, etc.) and by removing the power consumption of water pumps and water cooling tower fans.
  • All air for air separation unit A is compressed by an adiabatic air compressor 1.
  • the air tablet is at 200 ° C and must be cooled by exchange of heat with all or part of the products leaving separation device A and possibly by passage in an absorption refrigeration unit or by water cooler.
  • impure nitrogen 3 from device A cools the air which passes into the exchanger 5.
  • the air is then purified in the purification unit 7, which is regenerated by part of the impure nitrogen reheated in the exchanger 5.
  • the impure nitrogen can be saturated with water upstream of the exchanger 5 which causes a drop in the temperature thereof and thereby increases its capacity to cool the incoming air (see arrow H 2 O in dotted lines) .

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé et une installation pour l'alimentation pour un appareil de séparation d'air.The present invention relates to a method and a installation for power supply for a air separation.

Les appareils de séparation des gaz de l'air sont généralement alimentés en air à partir d'au moins un compresseur isotherme équipé de réfrigérants inter étages dans lesquels l'air est refroidi par échange de sa chaleur avec l'air de réfrigération.Air separation devices are typically supplied with air from at least one isothermal compressor fitted with inter-stage refrigerants in which the air is cooled by heat exchange with refrigeration air.

L'air sortant du compresseur est lui-même refroidi dans un réfrigérant final ou dans une tour air/eau, associée en général à une tour eau/azote et/ou un groupe frigorifique. Ce système généralement appelé "prérefroidissement" permet d'obtenir de l'air à une température relativement faible (environ 15°C) avant de le diriger vers la dessiccation limitant aussi la taille de cette dernière , la quantité d'eau contenue dans l'air à une augmentant exponentiellement avec la température. De tels systèmes sont décrits dans "Current Alternatives by the Use of CFCs in the Air Separation and Liquefaction Processes" de Walter F. Castle, Kryogenika 1996.The air leaving the compressor is itself cooled in a final cooler or in an air / water tower, generally associated with a water / nitrogen tower and / or a group refrigerator. This system generally called "precooling" provides air at a relatively low temperature (around 15 ° C) before direct to desiccation also limiting the size of the latter, the quantity of water contained in the air at increasing exponentially with temperature. Of such systems are described in "Current Alternatives by the Use of CFCs in the Air Separation and Liquefaction Processes "by Walter F. Castle, Kryogenika 1996.

Il est connu d'utiliser la chaleur du réfrigérant du compresseur pour réchauffer le gaz de régénération deIt is known to use the heat of the refrigerant of compressor to heat the regeneration gas from

JP-A-62-335 691, de JP-196772/94, de FR-2 686 405 et de JP-A-07144114.JP-A-62-335 691, JP-196772/94, FR-2 686 405 and JP-A-07144114.

Or les compresseurs utilisés sont des compresseurs isothermes.The compressors used are compressors isothermal.

EP-A-0069454 décrit l'usage d'un compresseur adiabatique pour alimenter un appareil de séparation d'air, l'air comprimé étant refroidi ensuite par de l'eau à haute pression.EP-A-0069454 describes the use of a compressor adiabatic to power a separation device air, the compressed air then being cooled by water at high pressure.

Il est un objet de la présente invention de diminuer le montant dé l'investissement d'une unité de séparation d'air. It is an object of the present invention to decrease the amount of the investment of a separation unit of air.

Selon l'objet de l'invention il est prévu un procédé selon la revendication 1.According to the subject of the invention there is provided a process according to claim 1.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention :

  • un des gaz de l'air réchauffé par l'air comprimé dans le compresseur adiabatique est ensuite envoyé à une unité d'épuration de l'air où il sert à la régénération ;
  • l'air épuré est renvoyé à la ligne d'échange ;
  • l'épuration en eau et l'épuration en CO2 ont lieu à deux températures différentes ;
  • un des gaz de l'air provenant de l'appareil de séparation, notamment de l'azote impur, est humidifié avant de rentrer dans la ligne, d'échange.
According to other optional aspects of the invention:
  • one of the gases in the air heated by the compressed air in the adiabatic compressor is then sent to an air purification unit where it is used for regeneration;
  • the purified air is returned to the exchange line;
  • water purification and CO 2 purification take place at two different temperatures;
  • one of the air gases coming from the separation device, in particular impure nitrogen, is humidified before entering the exchange line.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention , il est prévu une installation selon la revendication 6. Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention :

  • le compresseur adiabatique est dédié à l'appareil de séparation d'air ;
  • l'appareil de séparation d'air est un appareil de distillation cryogénique ;
  • il y a des moyens pour humidifier un des gaz de l'air en amont de la ligne d'échange.
According to another object of the invention, there is provided an installation according to claim 6. According to other optional aspects of the invention:
  • the adiabatic compressor is dedicated to the air separation device;
  • the air separation device is a cryogenic distillation device;
  • there are means for humidifying one of the gases in the air upstream of the exchange line.

Comme les compresseurs adiabatiques n'ont pas de réfrigérant, le coût de l'installation est réduit en supprimant les réfrigérants à eau sur le circuit d'alimentation en air de l'unité de séparation de gaz de l'air ainsi que l'ensemble du circuit d'eau de refroidissement associé, incluant entres autres, les tours de réfrigération d'eau, le traitement de l'eau, les pompes à eau, le réseau de distribution, la robinetterie , les alimentations électriques et l'instrumentation associée, et enfin le système de prérefroidissement à l'eau de l'air alimentant l'unité de séparation de gaz de l'air.As adiabatic compressors have no refrigerant, the cost of installation is reduced by eliminating water refrigerants on the circuit supply air to the gas separation unit the air as well as the entire water circuit of associated cooling, including among others, towers water refrigeration, water treatment, pumps system, the distribution network, the taps, the power supplies and associated instrumentation, and finally the air water precooling system supplying the air gas separation unit.

Cette invention a également l'avantage de diminuer les coûts d'exploitation par une réduction importante de la consommation d'eau, par une suppression des coûts de maintenance du réseau d'eau associée à une suppression des problèmes éventuels de corrosion du circuit d'eau et le remplacement périodique de certains composants (réfrigérants, etc) et par la suppression de la consommation électrique des pompes à eau et des ventilateurs des tours de réfrigération d'eau.This invention also has the advantage of reducing operating costs by a significant reduction of water consumption, by eliminating the costs of maintenance of the water network associated with the removal of possible corrosion problems of the water circuit and the periodic replacement of certain components (refrigerants, etc.) and by removing the power consumption of water pumps and water cooling tower fans.

En cas de système d'épuration de l'air en eau et CO2 de type dessiccation décarbonation à lit (s) d'absorbant (s) ou de tout autre système ne permettant pas l'épuration dans la ligne d'échange, l'air sera soutiré de la ligne d'échange avec les produits sortants pour épuré en eau et en CO2 puis réintégré dans la ligne d'échange, la température de soutirage de l'air sera choisie de façon à optimiser la taille du système d'épuration en eau et CO2. D'autre part, les épurations en eau et CO2 pourront être effectuées à deux températures de soutirage différentes, qui seront choisies de façon à optimiser économiquement l'ensemble du système ligne d'échange et épuration.In the case of a system for purifying the air of water and CO 2 of the decarbonation desiccation type with a bed (s) of absorbent (s) or any other system which does not allow purification in the exchange line, l air will be drawn from the exchange line with the outgoing products to purify water and CO 2 then reintegrated into the exchange line, the air withdrawal temperature will be chosen so as to optimize the size of the system d purification of water and CO 2 . On the other hand, water and CO 2 purification can be carried out at two different withdrawal temperatures, which will be chosen so as to economically optimize the entire exchange and purification line system.

Un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention va maintenant être décrit en regard du dessin annexé sur lequel :

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement une installation pour l'alimentation d'un appareil de séparation d'air conforme à l'invention.
An example of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawing in which:
  • Figure 1 schematically shows an installation for the supply of an air separation device according to the invention.

Tout l'air destiné à l'appareil de séparation d'air A est comprimé par un compresseur d'air adiabatique 1. L'air comprimé est à 200°C et doit être refroidi par échange de chaleur avec tous les produits ou une partie des produits sortant de l'appareil de séparation A et éventuellement par passage dans un groupe frigorifique à absorption ou par réfrigérant à eau. Dans l'exemple, de l'azote impur 3 provenant de l'appareil A refroidit l'air qui passe dans l'échangeur 5.All air for air separation unit A is compressed by an adiabatic air compressor 1. The air tablet is at 200 ° C and must be cooled by exchange of heat with all or part of the products leaving separation device A and possibly by passage in an absorption refrigeration unit or by water cooler. In the example, impure nitrogen 3 from device A cools the air which passes into the exchanger 5.

L'air est ensuite épuré dans l'unité d'épuration 7, qui est régénérée par une partie de l'azote impur réchauffé dans l'échangeur 5.The air is then purified in the purification unit 7, which is regenerated by part of the impure nitrogen reheated in the exchanger 5.

L'azote impur peut être saturé en eau en amont de l'échangeur 5 ce qui entraíne une baisse de la température de celui-ci et augmente de la sorte sa capacité à refroidir l'air entrant (voir flèche H2O en pointillés).The impure nitrogen can be saturated with water upstream of the exchanger 5 which causes a drop in the temperature thereof and thereby increases its capacity to cool the incoming air (see arrow H 2 O in dotted lines) .

Claims (8)

  1. Method of supplying an air separation apparatus (A) in which at least one of the air compressors is an adiabatic compressor (1), all the air compressed by the adiabatic compressor (1) is sent to the air separation apparatus (A) and the air coming from the adiabatic compressor (1) is cooled by gases from the air coming from the separation apparatus (A) in an exchange line (5) before being sent to a purification unit (7) where it is purified by removing water and/or CO2.
  2. Method according to Claim 1, in which one of the gases of the air warmed by the air compressed in the adiabatic compressor (1) is then sent to the air purification unit (7), where it serves for regeneration.
  3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the purified air is sent back to the exchange line (5).
  4. Method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the purification by removal of water and the purification by removal of CO2 take place at two different temperatures.
  5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which one of the gases of the air coming from the separation apparatus, especially impure nitrogen, is humidified before it returns to the exchange line.
  6. Plant for supplying an air separation apparatus, comprising an exchange line (5), a purification unit (7), means for sending the air compressed in a compressor (1) to the exchange line and to the purification unit and then to air separation means (A), and means for sending the gases of the air from the separation means to the exchange line, characterized in that at least one of the air compressors is an adiabatic compressor (1) and the air is sent from the exchange line to the purification unit.
  7. Plant according to Claim 6, in which the adiabatic compressor (1) is dedicated to the air separation apparatus (A).
  8. Plant according to Claim 6 or 7, in which the air separation apparatus is a cryogenic distillation apparatus.
EP97402213A 1996-09-25 1997-09-24 Process and plant for supplying an air separation unit Expired - Lifetime EP0833119B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9611681A FR2753636B1 (en) 1996-09-25 1996-09-25 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR SUPPLYING AN AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS
FR9611681 1996-09-25

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0833119A2 EP0833119A2 (en) 1998-04-01
EP0833119A3 EP0833119A3 (en) 1998-05-20
EP0833119B1 true EP0833119B1 (en) 2001-12-19

Family

ID=9496054

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97402213A Expired - Lifetime EP0833119B1 (en) 1996-09-25 1997-09-24 Process and plant for supplying an air separation unit

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (2) US5794457A (en)
EP (1) EP0833119B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH10185424A (en)
KR (1) KR100487220B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1119608C (en)
CA (1) CA2216552C (en)
DE (1) DE69709280T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2169334T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2753636B1 (en)
PL (1) PL322294A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA978555B (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7207392B2 (en) * 2000-04-17 2007-04-24 Firepass Ip Holdings, Inc. Method of preventing fire in computer room and other enclosed facilities
FR2756367B1 (en) * 1998-01-13 1999-06-18 Air Liquide METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR SUPPLYING AN AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS
US20070186581A1 (en) * 2006-02-14 2007-08-16 Ingersoll-Rand Company Compressor cooling system
FR2919717A1 (en) * 2007-11-06 2009-02-06 Air Liquide Air separating method, involves separating purified air in air separation unit to form nitrogen and oxygen flow, which are heated to form heated product, where product is compressed in thermokinetic compressors
WO2011061459A2 (en) * 2009-11-23 2011-05-26 L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Method and apparatus for compressing and cooling air
FR2969263B1 (en) * 2010-12-15 2013-01-04 Air Liquide INTEGRATED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AIR COMPRESSION AND PRODUCTION OF A CARBON DIOXIDE-RICH FLUID
KR101944486B1 (en) * 2013-01-09 2019-04-17 주식회사 원익홀딩스 Apparatus for refining gas

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2626591C2 (en) * 1976-06-14 1984-08-23 Dürr Anlagenbau GmbH, 7000 Stuttgart Process and device for exhaust air purification
GB2100801B (en) * 1981-06-18 1984-10-10 Air Prod & Chem Method and apparatus for compressing gas
US5058387A (en) * 1989-07-05 1991-10-22 The Boc Group, Inc. Process to ultrapurify liquid nitrogen imported as back-up for nitrogen generating plants
US5089034A (en) * 1990-11-13 1992-02-18 Uop Process for purifying natural gas
FR2684089B1 (en) * 1991-11-26 1994-01-14 Air Liquide PROCESS FOR THE COMBINED AND ADJUSTABLE FLOW PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN AND OXYGEN.
FR2686405B1 (en) * 1992-01-20 2001-02-09 Air Liquide METHOD AND APPLICATION OF AIR SEPARATION, AND APPLICATION OF SUCH AN INSTALLATION.
US5388395A (en) * 1993-04-27 1995-02-14 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Use of nitrogen from an air separation unit as gas turbine air compressor feed refrigerant to improve power output
JPH07144114A (en) * 1993-11-26 1995-06-06 Kawasaki Steel Corp Device for shortening regeneration time of pretreatment adsorber for feed air used for air liquefying separator
US5592832A (en) * 1995-10-03 1997-01-14 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Process and apparatus for the production of moderate purity oxygen
US5666823A (en) * 1996-01-31 1997-09-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. High pressure combustion turbine and air separation system integration

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2216552C (en) 2005-12-20
US6067817A (en) 2000-05-30
KR100487220B1 (en) 2005-07-28
JPH10185424A (en) 1998-07-14
EP0833119A3 (en) 1998-05-20
ZA978555B (en) 1998-03-26
EP0833119A2 (en) 1998-04-01
PL322294A1 (en) 1998-03-30
ES2169334T3 (en) 2002-07-01
CN1184242A (en) 1998-06-10
CN1119608C (en) 2003-08-27
FR2753636A1 (en) 1998-03-27
US5794457A (en) 1998-08-18
CA2216552A1 (en) 1998-03-25
FR2753636B1 (en) 2001-11-09
DE69709280D1 (en) 2002-01-31
DE69709280T2 (en) 2002-08-08
KR19980024943A (en) 1998-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2756368A1 (en) System for feeding an air separator using an adiabatic compressor
US2496380A (en) Gas purifying method and apparatus
US20050274142A1 (en) Cryogenically producing oxygen-enriched liquid and/or gaseous oxygen from atmospheric air
US9945607B2 (en) Cryogenic CO2 separation using a refrigeration system
EP0833119B1 (en) Process and plant for supplying an air separation unit
JPH06229668A (en) Method and equipment for manufacturing gaseous oxygen
BRPI0506789B1 (en) PROCESS AND INSTALLATION FOR CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION AIR SEPARATION
US20140123700A1 (en) Heat integration for cryogenic co2 separation
CN1109964A (en) Process and installation for the distillation of air
EP3671087A1 (en) A method and apparatus for eliminating heat bumps following regeneration of adsorbers in an air separation unit
US20100281917A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Condensing Contaminants for a Cryogenic System
US2918801A (en) Process and apparatus for separating gas mixtures
US20070012419A1 (en) Method and device for cryocondensation
JP2002168561A (en) Method and system for separating air
FR2756367A1 (en) System for feeding an air separator using an adiabatic compressor
KR100427138B1 (en) Air separation method and apparatus therefor
EP0016043A1 (en) Cryogenic apparatus and method of removing freezing impurities from a cryogenic fluid
RU2678236C1 (en) Method of liquefaction of natural gas through cycle of partial liquefaction due to change in pressure and installation for its implementation
RU2285212C2 (en) Method and device for liquefying natural gas
JP2008279377A (en) Voc cooling/recovery device
US3119676A (en) Process and apparatus for purifying and separating compressed gas mixtures
JPH0810552A (en) Method for dehumidifying waste gas and dehumidifier
TW201314153A (en) Heat integration for cryogenic CO2 separation
JP2008279376A (en) Voc cooling/recovery device
AU2017341387B2 (en) System for treating and cooling a hydrocarbon stream

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19981120

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL SE

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000824

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE ES FR GB IT LU NL SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69709280

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020319

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20020312

RAP2 Party data changed (patent owner data changed or rights of a patent transferred)

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, S.A. A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SUR

NLT2 Nl: modifications (of names), taken from the european patent patent bulletin

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, S.A. A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SUR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2169334

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20020812

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20020924

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040528

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20080922

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20080822

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20080829

Year of fee payment: 12

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: S.A. L'*AIR LIQUIDE POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION

Effective date: 20090930

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090924

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090924

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20100916

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20100922

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20100928

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20110715

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110705

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090925

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20120401

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20110924

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 69709280

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120403

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120403

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120401