EP1014020A1 - Cryogenic process for separating air gases - Google Patents

Cryogenic process for separating air gases Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1014020A1
EP1014020A1 EP99403101A EP99403101A EP1014020A1 EP 1014020 A1 EP1014020 A1 EP 1014020A1 EP 99403101 A EP99403101 A EP 99403101A EP 99403101 A EP99403101 A EP 99403101A EP 1014020 A1 EP1014020 A1 EP 1014020A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
turbine
pressure
air
fraction
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EP99403101A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1014020B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Tranier
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LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
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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
    • F25J3/04151—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
    • F25J3/04175—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities at a pressure of substantially more than the highest pressure column
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    • 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
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of air
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    • 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
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    • 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
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    • 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
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    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
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    • F25J3/04345—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of air and comprising a gas work expansion loop
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    • 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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
    • F25J2200/54—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column system
    • 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
    • F25J2215/54—Oxygen production with multiple pressure 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
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/40—One 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
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/50—One fluid being 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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/90—External refrigeration, e.g. conventional closed-loop mechanical refrigeration unit using Freon or NH3, unspecified external refrigeration
    • 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
    • F25J2290/10—Mathematical formulae, modeling, plot or curves; Design methods

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and installations for cryogenic separation of gases from air.
  • US-A-5758515 discloses a process for producing oxygen under pressure using a first turbine which feeds the medium pressure column a double column and a turbine powered by a booster whose all air relaxed is recycled to the main compressor of the device.
  • An object of the present invention is to increase the production of liquid on a pump unit with two turbines without increasing the size of the compressor air while improving cycle performance. Another purpose of this invention is to better optimize the exchange diagram for a air separation with two turbines.
  • it may include means for increasing the supply pressure of the first turbine by compared to the supply pressure of the second turbine.
  • an air flow is sent to compressor 1 where it is compressed at medium pressure of the order of 5 bars before being purified in purification unit 3. It is then divided into two parts 19, 21. Part 21 constituting 20% of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 8 where it is cooled to its dew point and sent to the medium pressure column 11. The part 19 is compressed in the first stages 5 of a compressor up to an intermediate pressure of 11.5 bars; then it is compressed in last stages 6 of the compressor up to a high pressure of 35 bars.
  • the air at high pressure is divided into two fractions 23, 25 of which the first is cooled to an intermediate temperature of 160 K of the line heat exchanger 8 before being divided into two.
  • Part 31 is relaxed at the medium pressure in the first turbine 9 and joins the flow 21 to be sent to column 11.
  • Part 29 condenses by heat exchange with a flow of oxygen which vaporizes and is divided in two to be sent (in 35, 37) in the two columns 11, 13, after expansion in a valve.
  • the second high pressure air function 25 cools down to a intermediate temperature of 243 K, higher than the inlet temperature of the first turbine 9. It is then expanded in the second turbine 7 until the intermediate pressure, returned to the exchanger 8 and heated to the end hot before being mixed with air at intermediate pressure.
  • Liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen flows 41, 45 are withdrawn from the columns 11, 13. Part of the liquid oxygen 43 is pumped, pressurized by pump 17 to a pressure of 17 bars and then vaporizes in the exchanger 8.
  • the air from compressor 105 eventually cools in a refrigeration unit 103 '.
  • Figure 4 differs from Figure 3 in that air from the second turbine liquefies in vaporizer 353 by heat exchange with oxygen liquid pumped by pump 317. In this case, all the liquefied air is sent to the column operating at higher pressure. The vaporized oxygen heats up in the main exchanger.
  • Figure 5 shows a refrigeration unit 450 which cools part of the air intended for the second turbine 407.
  • Figure 6 shows a variant of Figure 1 in which air 523 intended for the first turbine 509 is boosted at a pressure higher than the high pressure by a 570 booster.
  • the 570 booster can be coupled to the first or second turbine. Part of the air intended for the second turbine cools in a 550 refrigeration unit rather than in the exchanger main.
  • the air 525 intended for the second turbine 507 is also boosted at a pressure less than or equal to the inlet pressure of the second turbine in a 580 booster which is coupled to the other turbine.
  • two boosters 670, 680 boost the air intended for the first turbine 609.
  • the air intended for the second turbine 607 is at pressure delivery of compressor 5.
  • Each booster is coupled to one of the turbines
  • the first column can be a single column or the middle column pressure of a double column.
  • the double column can optionally be type "AZOTONNE” (registered trademark) having a head condenser of the low pressure column.
  • Part of the frigories can be supplied by nitrogen expansion of one of the columns in a turbine or by air expansion in a blowing turbine.
  • the boosters of Figures 6 and 7 can be replaced by boosters cold.
  • the low pressure column can optionally operate at a pressure above 2 bar.
  • the double column can be replaced by a triple column comprising a high pressure column, a pressure column intermediate and a low pressure column.
  • the liquid to be sprayed can come from of one of these columns.
  • the installation may include a mixing column.

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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)

Abstract

Cryogenic separation of the components in air comprises distillation using a system of columns comprising two turbines (7, 9) in which the feed pressure to the first turbine is not lower than the feed pressure to the second turbine. For the cryogenic separation of the components in air gas by distillation, a system of columns has at least one column (11, 13, 90) where all the air is compressed (1). Part of the air is compressed to an intermediate pressure (5) and a fraction of this air is compressed to a high pressure (6). The air at a high pressure is divided into at least two fractions (23, 25) for delivery to two turbines (7, 9). The coolant of the hot turbine (7) is recycled at least partially towards the hot end of the exchanger (8) at a higher pressure. A liquid for the air separation apparatus vaporizes in the exchanger. The feed pressure to the first turbine is not lower than the feed pressure to the second turbine. Preferred Features: The feed pressures to the two turbines are identical or the first turbine takes a higher pressure, possibly at least 1 bar higher than the feed to the second turbine. The first column (11) is part of a double or a triple column structure. The first column operates at a higher or lower pressure than the second, in a double column, to give a yield enriched with oxygen and a yield enriched with nitrogen to be passed to the second column (13). A liquid yield from the first column, passed into the second, is vaporized by heat exchange with the air, possibly after it has been pressurized. All the air can be compressed to the intermediate pressure level. The air is cleaned in water and carbon dioxide at the intermediate pressure. The suction intake temperature at the first turbine (7) is higher than the temperature level at the second turbine (9). The unrelaxed portion (29) of the first and/or second fraction is condensed by heat exchange with a liquid drawn from the column (13) which vaporizes. The liquid drawn from the columns (11, 13, 90) is enriched with oxygen, nitrogen or argon, to vaporize by heat exchange with the air. An initial liquid vaporizes by exchange with the unrelaxed portion of the first fraction which condenses, and a second liquid vaporizes by exchange with a relaxed or unrelaxed portion of the second fraction, which condenses. An air fraction or part of the second fraction is chilled in a refrigerator group. The outlet temperature of the refrigerator group is the entry temperature into the second turbine. The energy generated by at least one turbine (7, 9) is used to drive one or more compressors (5, 6). One compressor, powered by a turbine, increases the pressure of the high pressure fraction before the first fraction is cooled. The energy generated by the turbines drives the compressors in series, to compress the first fraction. The first fraction condenses at least partially during expansion in the first turbine. The outlet temperature at the second turbine is close to the entry temperature at the first turbine. The yield from the low pressure column feeds an argon column (90). An Independent claim is included for an assembly with three columns, where one operates at high pressure, one at an intermediate pressure and a low pressure column, together with a system to draw liquid from them.

Description

La présente invention est relative aux procédés et aux installations de séparation cryogénique des gaz de l'air.The present invention relates to methods and installations for cryogenic separation of gases from air.

Les pressions dont il est question ci-dessous sont des pressions absolues. De plus, on entend par " condensation " ou " vaporisation " soit une condensation ou une vaporisation proprement dite, soit une pseudo-condensation ou une pseudo-vaporisation, selon que les pressions en question sont subcritiques ou supercritiques.The pressures discussed below are pressures absolute. In addition, the term "condensation" or "vaporization" is a condensation or vaporization proper, or pseudo-condensation or a pseudo-vaporization, depending on whether the pressures in question are subcritical or supercritical.

Au cours de ces dernières années, l'utilisation des procédés " à pompe " pour la production d'oxygène sous pression s'est généralisée. Ces procédés consistent à extraire une fraction liquide enrichie en oxygène de la partie inférieure de la colonne basse pression, typiquement en cuve de pomper ce liquide à la pression requise, de le vaporiser et de le réchauffer jusqu'à une température proche de la température ambiante par échange de chaleur avec l'air entrant et/ou un fluide enrichi en azote sous pression. Ce procédé permet donc de faire l'économie d'un compresseur d'oxygène et est donc plus économique. De la même façon, on peut produire par pompe de l'azote ou de l'argon sous pression.In recent years, the use of "pump" processes for the production of oxygen under pressure has become widespread. These processes consist in extracting a liquid fraction enriched in oxygen from the part bottom of the low pressure column, typically in a tank to pump this liquid at the required pressure, spray it and heat it to a temperature close to room temperature by heat exchange with air entering and / or a fluid enriched in nitrogen under pressure. This process therefore allows to save on an oxygen compressor and is therefore more economical. Of the same way, one can produce nitrogen or argon under pressure.

Cette généralisation des procédés à pompe a été rendue possible en partie par l'utilisation de l'adsorption pour éliminer l'eau et le CO2 de préférence aux échangeurs réversibles.This generalization of pump processes has been made possible in part by the use of adsorption to remove water and CO 2 in preference to reversible exchangers.

Par ailleurs, pour pouvoir vaporiser de l'oxygène à haute pression, il convient de disposer d'un fluide calorigène à haute pression (air ou fluide enrichi en azote) qui se condensera par échange indirect avec l'oxygène comme dans US 4 303 428 et/ou par expansion isentropique dans une turbine (voir US 5 329 776), de manière à équilibrer le bilan thermique de la partie distillation. Par haute pression, il s'agit d'une pression supérieure à la pression de la colonne moyenne pression d'un système à double colonne ou à la pression côté condenseur du vaporiseur d'une simple colonne. La présence de fluide à haute pression a, en outre, favorisé l'utilisation de cycles plus complexes avec turbines multiples pour la production de liquide.In addition, to be able to vaporize oxygen at high pressure, it should have a circulating fluid at high pressure (air or enriched fluid nitrogen) which will condense by indirect exchange with oxygen as in US 4,303,428 and / or by isentropic expansion in a turbine (see US 5,329 776), so as to balance the heat balance of the distillation part. By high pressure, it is a pressure higher than the pressure of the average column pressure from a double column system or at the pressure on the condenser side of the single column vaporizer. The presence of high pressure fluid has, in further favored the use of more complex cycles with multiple turbines for liquid production.

Des exemples de cycles à pompe à deux turbines sont données dans les documents US 5 329 776, GB 2251931, US 5 564 290 ou US 5 108 476. Malheureusement, pour tous les procédés connus, la quantité de liquide que l'on peut produire est limitée si l'on ne veut pas augmenter la taille du compresseur d'air (i.e. le débit sur le premier étage).Examples of pump cycles with two turbines are given in the documents US 5 329 776, GB 2251931, US 5 564 290 or US 5 108 476. Unfortunately, for all known processes, the amount of liquid that is can produce is limited if we do not want to increase the size of the compressor air (i.e. the flow rate on the first stage).

US-A-5758515 divulgue un procédé de production d'oxygène sous pression utilisant une première turbine qui alimente la colonne moyenne pression d'une double colonne et une turbine alimentée par un surpresseur dont tout l'air détendu est recyclé au compresseur principal de l'appareil.US-A-5758515 discloses a process for producing oxygen under pressure using a first turbine which feeds the medium pressure column a double column and a turbine powered by a booster whose all air relaxed is recycled to the main compressor of the device.

Un but de la présente invention est d'augmenter la production de liquide sur un appareil à pompe à deux turbines sans augmenter la taille du compresseur d'air tout en améliorant la performance du cycle. Un autre but de la présente invention est de mieux optimiser le diagramme d'échange pour un appareil de séparation d'air à deux turbines.An object of the present invention is to increase the production of liquid on a pump unit with two turbines without increasing the size of the compressor air while improving cycle performance. Another purpose of this invention is to better optimize the exchange diagram for a air separation with two turbines.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de séparation cryogénique du gaz de l'air dans un système de colonnes comprenant au moins une colonne par distillation d'air comprenant les étapes de :

  • comprimer la totalité de l'air à une moyenne pression et au moins une partie de l'air jusqu'à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et une haute pression
  • comprimer de l'air de la pression intermédiaire à la haute pression
  • diviser l'air comprimé à la haute pression en une première et une deuxième fractions
  • refroidir la première fraction dans un échangeur de chaleur et la détendre au moins en partie dans une première turbine
  • refroidir la deuxième fraction dans l'échangeur de chaleur et la détendre au moins en partie à la pression intermédiaire dans une deuxième turbine
  • réchauffer dans l'échangeur de chaleur la partie détendu de la deuxième fraction (ou la deuxième fraction détendue) et en recycler au moins une partie dans l'air à la pression intermédiaire
  • envoyer de l'air de la première turbine à une première colonne , où il s'enrichit en azote en tête de colonne et s'enrichit en oxygène en cuve et
  • soutirer un liquide provenant au moins partiellement d'une colonne du système et le vaporiser, éventuellement après pressurisation, dans l'échangeur de chaleur
   caractérisé en ce que la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine n'est pas inférieure à la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine.According to an object of the invention, there is provided a method of cryogenic separation of the gas from the air in a column system comprising at least one column by air distillation comprising the steps of:
  • compress all of the air at medium pressure and at least part of the air to an intermediate pressure between medium pressure and high pressure
  • compress air from intermediate pressure to high pressure
  • divide compressed air at high pressure into first and second fractions
  • cool the first fraction in a heat exchanger and at least partially expand it in a first turbine
  • cool the second fraction in the heat exchanger and at least partially expand it to the intermediate pressure in a second turbine
  • reheat in the heat exchanger the expanded part of the second fraction (or the expanded second fraction) and recycle at least a part of it in air at the intermediate pressure
  • send air from the first turbine to a first column, where it is enriched in nitrogen at the head of the column and enriched in oxygen in the tank and
  • withdraw a liquid at least partially from a column of the system and vaporize it, possibly after pressurization, in the heat exchanger
characterized in that the supply pressure of the first turbine is not less than the supply pressure of the second turbine.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques facultatives de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé dans lequel

  • les pressions d'entrée de la première et deuxième turbines sont identiques ou la pression d'entrée de la première turbine est supérieure à la pression d'entrée de la deuxième turbine, de préférence supérieure d'au moins 1 bar ou même d'au moins 2 bars à la pression d'entrée de la deuxième turbine.
  • la première colonne fait partie d'une double colonne ou une triple colonne
  • on envoie un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichit en azote de la première colonne à une deuxième colonne de la double colonne, la première colonne opérant à une pression plus élevée que la colonne basse pression.
  • on soutire un débit liquide de la colonne basse pression ou la colonne moyenne pression (ou la colonne intermédiaire dans le cas d'une triple colonne) et on le vaporise par échange de chaleur avec de l'air.
  • la totalité de l'air est comprimé jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire
  • la température d'aspiration de la deuxième turbine est supérieure à celle de la première turbine
  • une portion non-détendue de la première fraction se condense par échange de chaleur avec un fluide soutiré de la colonne
  • la portion qui se condense échange de la chaleur avec le liquide qui se vaporise
  • une portion non-détendue de la deuxième fraction se condense par échange de chaleur avec un fluide soutiré de la colonne
  • la portion qui se condense échange de la chaleur avec le liquide qui se vaporise.
  • le débit liquide est enrichi en oxygène, en azote ou en argon.
  • plusieurs débits liquides se vaporisent dans l'échangeur de chaleur.
  • une fraction de l'air est refroidie dans un groupe frigorifique.
  • au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est refroidie dans un groupe frigorifique.
  • la température de sortie du groupe frigorifique est la température d'entrée de la turbine.
  • l'énergie d'au moins une des turbines sert à entraíner un ou plusieurs compresseurs
  • un débit de la colonne bass e pression alimente une colonne argon
  • un débit d'air est envoyé à la première colonne sans avoir été détendu dans une des turbines.
According to other optional features of the invention, a method is provided in which
  • the inlet pressures of the first and second turbines are identical or the inlet pressure of the first turbine is greater than the inlet pressure of the second turbine, preferably at least 1 bar or even at least minus 2 bars at the inlet pressure of the second turbine.
  • the first column is part of a double column or a triple column
  • a flow enriched in oxygen is sent and a flow enriched in nitrogen from the first column to a second column of the double column, the first column operating at a higher pressure than the low pressure column.
  • a liquid flow is drawn off from the low pressure column or the medium pressure column (or the intermediate column in the case of a triple column) and is vaporized by heat exchange with air.
  • all the air is compressed to the intermediate pressure
  • the suction temperature of the second turbine is higher than that of the first turbine
  • a non-relaxed portion of the first fraction condenses by heat exchange with a fluid withdrawn from the column
  • the portion that condenses exchanges heat with the vaporizing liquid
  • a non-relaxed portion of the second fraction condenses by heat exchange with a fluid withdrawn from the column
  • the condensing portion exchanges heat with the vaporizing liquid.
  • the liquid flow is enriched with oxygen, nitrogen or argon.
  • several liquid flows vaporize in the heat exchanger.
  • a fraction of the air is cooled in a refrigeration unit.
  • at least part of the second fraction is cooled in a refrigeration unit.
  • the outlet temperature of the refrigeration unit is the inlet temperature of the turbine.
  • the energy of at least one of the turbines is used to drive one or more compressors
  • a flow from the low pressure column feeds an argon column
  • an air flow is sent to the first column without having been expanded in one of the turbines.

Selon d'autres aspects de l'invention, il est prévu une installation de séparation cryogénique des gaz de l'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant :

  • au moins une première colonne de distillation d'air
  • une ligne d'échange,
  • des moyens pour comprimer tout l'air à une moyenne pression,
  • des moyens pour comprimer au moins une partie de l'air jusqu'à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et une haute pression,
  • des moyens pour comprimer de l'air de la pression intermédiaire à la haute pression,
  • des moyens pour envoyer une première et une deuxième fractions d'air à la haute pression à la ligne d'échange,
  • une première turbine pour détendre au moins une partie de la première fraction, éventuellement jusqu'à la moyenne pression,
  • une deuxième turbine pour détendre au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire,
  • des moyens pour réchauffer au moins une portion de la partie détendue de la deuxième fraction
  • des moyens pour recycler au moins une partie de cette portion dans l'air à la pression intermédiaire et des moyens pour soutirer au moins un liquide d'une colonne de l'installation et des moyens pour l'envoyer à la ligne d'échange caractérisée en ce qu'elle ne comprend pas de moyens pour augmenter la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine par rapport à la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine
According to other aspects of the invention, an installation is provided for cryogenic separation of gases from the air by cryogenic distillation comprising:
  • at least a first air distillation column
  • an exchange line,
  • means for compressing all the air to a medium pressure,
  • means for compressing at least part of the air to an intermediate pressure between the medium pressure and a high pressure,
  • means for compressing air from the intermediate pressure to the high pressure,
  • means for sending first and second fractions of air at high pressure to the exchange line,
  • a first turbine for expanding at least part of the first fraction, possibly to medium pressure,
  • a second turbine for expanding at least part of the second fraction to the intermediate pressure,
  • means for reheating at least a portion of the relaxed portion of the second fraction
  • means for recycling at least part of this portion into the air at intermediate pressure and means for withdrawing at least one liquid from a column of the installation and means for sending it to the characterized exchange line in that it does not include means for increasing the supply pressure of the second turbine relative to the supply pressure of the first turbine

Selon d'autres caractéristiques facultatives elle peut comprendre des moyens pour augmenter la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine par rapport à la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine.According to other optional characteristics, it may include means for increasing the supply pressure of the first turbine by compared to the supply pressure of the second turbine.

En recyclant le débit de la turbine chaude à une pression supérieure à la pression de la colonne moyenne pression, on peut avoir un meilleur rendement sur cette turbine. En effet, le rendement isentropique d'une turbine est d'autant plus élevé que son taux de détente est faible (plus proche de 5 que de 10).By recycling the flow from the hot turbine to a pressure higher than the column pressure medium pressure, we can have a better performance on this turbine. Indeed, the isentropic efficiency of a turbine is all the more higher than its relaxation rate is low (closer to 5 than to 10).

Avec ce concept, on augmente le débit du compresseur d'air que sur les derniers étages et non sur les premiers qui en déterminent la taille. D'autre part, en recyclant le débit de la turbine chaude à une pression supérieure à la pression de la colonne moyenne pression, on optimise mieux le diagramme d'échange dans sa partie chaude et on peut éventuellement choisir cette pression intermédiaire comme pression de l'épuration d'air ce qui est un très bon compromis, une pression plus basse entraínant un surcoût sur les adsorbeurs alors qu'une pression plus haute peut poser des problèmes technologiques. Ceci est un avantage par rapport au procédé divulgué dans les demandes de brevet EP 0 316 768 et EP 0 811 816 qui bien que n'étant pas à pompe recyclent le débit de la turbine chaude (et aussi de la turbine froide) à la pression de la colonne moyenne pression.With this concept, the air compressor flow is increased only on the last floors and not on the first which determine the size. On the other hand, by recycling the flow from the hot turbine to a pressure higher than the pressure of the medium pressure column, we optimize the exchange diagram better in its hot part and you can optionally choose this pressure intermediate as air cleaning pressure which is a very good compromise, lower pressure resulting in additional cost on the adsorbers while higher pressure can cause technological problems. This is an advantage over the process disclosed in patent applications EP 0 316 768 and EP 0 811 816 which, although not with a pump, recycle the flow from the hot turbine (and also from the cold turbine) to the column pressure medium pressure.

Des exemples de mise en oeuvre de l'invention vont maintenant être décrits en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement une installation de séparation cryogénique de l'air selon l'invention
  • les figures 2 à 7 sont des vues analogues de variantes de l'invention et
  • la figure 8 est un diagramme d'échange thermique correspondant à une utilisation de l'installation de la figure 1.
Examples of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents a cryogenic air separation installation according to the invention
  • Figures 2 to 7 are similar views of variants of the invention and
  • FIG. 8 is a heat exchange diagram corresponding to a use of the installation of FIG. 1.

Dans la figure 1, un débit d'air est envoyé au compresseur 1 où il est comprimé à la moyenne pression de l'ordre de 5 bars avant d'être épuré dans l'unité d'épuration 3. Il est ensuite divisé en deux parties 19, 21. Une partie 21 constituant 20 % de l'air est envoyée à l'échangeur de chaleur 8 où elle est refroidie à son point de rosée et envoyée à la colonne moyenne pression 11. La partie 19 est comprimée dans les premiers étages 5 d'un compresseur jusqu'à une pression intermédiaire de 11,5 bars; ensuite elle est comprimée dans les derniers étages 6 du compresseur jusqu'à une haute pression de 35 bars.In Figure 1, an air flow is sent to compressor 1 where it is compressed at medium pressure of the order of 5 bars before being purified in purification unit 3. It is then divided into two parts 19, 21. Part 21 constituting 20% of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 8 where it is cooled to its dew point and sent to the medium pressure column 11. The part 19 is compressed in the first stages 5 of a compressor up to an intermediate pressure of 11.5 bars; then it is compressed in last stages 6 of the compressor up to a high pressure of 35 bars.

L'air à la haute pression est divisé en deux fractions 23, 25 dont la première est refroidie à une température intermédiaire de 160 K de la ligne d'échangeur de chaleur 8 avant d'être divisé en deux. La partie 31 est détendue à la moyenne pression dans la première turbine 9 et rejoint le débit 21 pour être envoyée à la colonne 11. La partie 29 se condense par échange de chaleur avec un débit d'oxygène qui se vaporise et est divisée en deux pour être envoyé (en 35, 37) aux deux colonnes 11, 13, après détente dans une vanne.The air at high pressure is divided into two fractions 23, 25 of which the first is cooled to an intermediate temperature of 160 K of the line heat exchanger 8 before being divided into two. Part 31 is relaxed at the medium pressure in the first turbine 9 and joins the flow 21 to be sent to column 11. Part 29 condenses by heat exchange with a flow of oxygen which vaporizes and is divided in two to be sent (in 35, 37) in the two columns 11, 13, after expansion in a valve.

La deuxième fonction d'air à haute pression 25 se refroidit jusqu'à une température intermédiaire de 243 K, supérieure à la température d'entrée de la première turbine 9. Elle est ensuite détendue dans la deuxième turbine 7 jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire, renvoyée à l'échangeur 8 et réchauffée jusqu'au bout chaud avant d'être mélangée à l'air à la pression intermédiaire.The second high pressure air function 25 cools down to a intermediate temperature of 243 K, higher than the inlet temperature of the first turbine 9. It is then expanded in the second turbine 7 until the intermediate pressure, returned to the exchanger 8 and heated to the end hot before being mixed with air at intermediate pressure.

Des débits d'azote liquide et d'oxygène liquide 41, 45, sont retirés des colonnes 11, 13. Une partie de l'oxygène liquide 43 est pompée, pressurisée par la pompe 17 jusqu'à une pression de 17 bars et ensuite se vaporise dans l'échangeur 8.Liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen flows 41, 45 are withdrawn from the columns 11, 13. Part of the liquid oxygen 43 is pumped, pressurized by pump 17 to a pressure of 17 bars and then vaporizes in the exchanger 8.

Elle pourrait éventuellement se vaporiser dans un échangeur indépendant de l'échangeur 8 contre le débit d'air 29. It could possibly vaporize in an independent exchanger of the exchanger 8 against the air flow 29.

Dans la figure 2, les mêmes chiffres de référence identifient les éléments de l'installation, sauf que tous les chiffres sont augmentés par 100.In figure 2, the same reference numbers identify the elements of the installation, except that all figures are increased by 100.

La différence principale entre la figure 2 et la figure 1, est que dans la figure 2, tout l'air est pressurisé dans le compresseur 105 jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire de 11,5 bars. L'oxygène liquide 141 se vaporise contre l'air 129 à la pression intermédiaire.The main difference between Figure 2 and Figure 1, is that in the figure 2, all the air is pressurized in the compressor 105 until the pressure 11.5 bar intermediate. Liquid oxygen 141 vaporizes against air 129 at the intermediate pressure.

L'air provenant du compresseur 105 se refroidit éventuellement dans un groupe frigorifique 103'.The air from compressor 105 eventually cools in a refrigeration unit 103 '.

Dans la figure 3, une partie de l'air détendue dans la deuxième turbine n'est pas recyclée mais est envoyée à la double colonne après s'être liquéfiée à travers les vannes. L'air venant du compresseur 205 peut se refroidir dans un groupe frigorifique 203'.In Figure 3, part of the air expanded in the second turbine is not recycled but is sent to the double column after being liquefied at through the valves. Air from compressor 205 can cool in a 203 'refrigeration unit.

La figure 4 diffère de la figure 3 en ce que de l'air de la deuxième turbine se liquéfie dans le vaporiseur 353 par échange de chaleur avec de l'oxygène liquide pompé par la pompe 317. Dans ce cas, tout l'air liquéfié est envoyé à la colonne opérant à la pression plus élevée. L'oxygène vaporisé se réchauffe dans l'échangeur principal.Figure 4 differs from Figure 3 in that air from the second turbine liquefies in vaporizer 353 by heat exchange with oxygen liquid pumped by pump 317. In this case, all the liquefied air is sent to the column operating at higher pressure. The vaporized oxygen heats up in the main exchanger.

La figure 5 montre un groupe frigorifique 450 qui refroidit une partie de l'air destiné à la deuxième turbine 407.Figure 5 shows a refrigeration unit 450 which cools part of the air intended for the second turbine 407.

La figure 6 montre une variante de la figure 1 dans laquelle de l'air 523 destinée à la première turbine 509 est surpressée à une pression supérieure à la haute pression par un surpresseur 570. Le surpresseur 570 peut être couplé à la première ou à la deuxième turbine. Une partie de l'air destinée à la deuxième turbine se refroidit dans un groupe frigorifique 550 plutôt que dans l'échangeur principal. L'air 525 destiné à la deuxième turbine 507 est également surpressé à une pression moindre que ou égale à la pression d'entrée de la deuxième turbine dans un surpresseur 580 qui est couplée à l'autre turbine.Figure 6 shows a variant of Figure 1 in which air 523 intended for the first turbine 509 is boosted at a pressure higher than the high pressure by a 570 booster. The 570 booster can be coupled to the first or second turbine. Part of the air intended for the second turbine cools in a 550 refrigeration unit rather than in the exchanger main. The air 525 intended for the second turbine 507 is also boosted at a pressure less than or equal to the inlet pressure of the second turbine in a 580 booster which is coupled to the other turbine.

Dans la figure 7, deux surpresseurs 670, 680 surpressent l'air destiné à la première turbine 609. L'air destiné à la deuxième turbine 607 est à la pression de refoulement du compresseur 5. Chaque surpresseur est couplé à une des turbines In FIG. 7, two boosters 670, 680 boost the air intended for the first turbine 609. The air intended for the second turbine 607 is at pressure delivery of compressor 5. Each booster is coupled to one of the turbines

Il est évidemment possible d'utiliser une installation d'une des figures pour produire de l'argon à partir d'une colonne argon alimentée par la colonne basse pression 13, 113 ou pour produire de l'oxygène impur à partir d'une colonne de mélange.It is obviously possible to use an installation of one of the figures to produce argon from an argon column fed by the column low pressure 13, 113 or to produce impure oxygen from a mixing column.

La première colonne peut être une simple colonne ou la colonne moyenne pression d'une double colonne. La double colonne peut être éventuellement du type "AZOTONNE" (marque déposée) ayant un condenseur de tête de la colonne basse pression.The first column can be a single column or the middle column pressure of a double column. The double column can optionally be type "AZOTONNE" (registered trademark) having a head condenser of the low pressure column.

Une partie des frigories peut être fournie par détente d'azote d'une des colonnes dans une turbine ou par détente d'air dans une turbine d'insufflation. Les surpresseurs des figures 6 et 7 peuvent être remplacés par des surpresseurs froids.Part of the frigories can be supplied by nitrogen expansion of one of the columns in a turbine or by air expansion in a blowing turbine. The boosters of Figures 6 and 7 can be replaced by boosters cold.

La colonne basse pression peut éventuellement fonctionner à une pression au-dessus de 2 bar.The low pressure column can optionally operate at a pressure above 2 bar.

Pour la figure 8 la chaleur échangée dans la ligne d'échange en kcal/h est en ordinés et la température en °C est en abscisse.For figure 8 the heat exchanged in the exchange line in kcal / h is in ordinates and the temperature in ° C is on the abscissa.

Dans tous les cas, la double colonne peut être remplacée par une triple colonne comprenant une colonne haute pression, une colonne pression intermédiaire et une colonne basse pression. Le liquide à vaporiser peut provenir d'une de ces colonnes.In all cases, the double column can be replaced by a triple column comprising a high pressure column, a pressure column intermediate and a low pressure column. The liquid to be sprayed can come from of one of these columns.

L'installation peut comprendre une colonne de mélange.The installation may include a mixing column.

Claims (35)

Procédé de séparation cryogénique du gaz de l'air par distillation d'air dans un système de colonnes comprenant au moins une colonne (11, 13, 90) comprenant les étapes de : comprimer la totalité de l'air à une moyenne pression et au moins une partie (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) de l'air jusqu'à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et une haute pression comprimer de l'air de la pression intermédiaire à la haute pression diviser l'air comprimé à la haute pression en une première et une deuxième fractions (23, 25, 123, 125, 223, 225, 323, 325, 423, 425, 523, 525, 623, 625) refroidir la première fraction dans un échangeur de chaleur (8) et la détendre au moins en partie dans une première turbine (9, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609) refroidir la deuxième fraction dans l'échangeur de chaleur (8) et la détendre au moins en partie jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire dans une deuxième turbine (7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607) réchauffer au moins une portion de la partie détendue (27, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627) de la deuxième fraction (ou la deuxième fraction détendue) dans l'échangeur de chaleur (8) et en recycler au moins une partie au débit d'air à la pression intermédiaire (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) envoyer de l'air à la moyenne pression à une première colonne (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611); où il s'enrichit en azote en tête de colonne et s'enrichit en oxygène en cuve soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et le vaporiser, éventuellement après pressurisation, dans l'échangeur de chaleur.    caractérisé en ce que la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine n'est pas inférieure à la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine.Method for cryogenic separation of gas from air by distillation of air in a column system comprising at least one column (11, 13, 90) comprising the steps of: compress all of the air at medium pressure and at least part (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) of the air to an intermediate pressure between medium pressure and high pressure compress air from intermediate pressure to high pressure divide compressed air at high pressure into first and second fractions (23, 25, 123, 125, 223, 225, 323, 325, 423, 425, 523, 525, 623, 625) cool the first fraction in a heat exchanger (8) and at least partially expand it in a first turbine (9, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609) cool the second fraction in the heat exchanger (8) and at least partially expand it to the intermediate pressure in a second turbine (7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607) reheat at least a portion of the expanded part (27, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627) of the second fraction (or the second expanded fraction) in the heat exchanger (8) and recycle at least one part at air flow at intermediate pressure (19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619) send medium pressure air to a first column (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611); where it is enriched in nitrogen at the top of the column and enriched in oxygen in the tank withdraw a liquid from a column of the system and vaporize it, possibly after pressurization, in the heat exchanger. characterized in that the supply pressure of the first turbine is not less than the supply pressure of the second turbine. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel les pression d'alimentation des première et deuxième turbines sont identiques ou la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine est supérieure, éventuellement d'au moins 1 bar, à la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine.The method of claim 1 wherein the pressures of the first and second turbines are identical or the pressure supply to the first turbine is higher, possibly by at least 1 bar, at the supply pressure of the second turbine. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel la première colonne (11, 111) fait partie d'une double colonne ou une triple colonneThe method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the first column (11, 111) is part of a double column or a triple column Procédé selon la revendication 3 dans lequel la première colonne opère à une pression plus élevée qu'une deuxième colonne de la double colonne et dans lequel on envoie un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote de la première colonne à la deuxième colonne (13, 113) de la double colonne.The method of claim 3 wherein the first column operates at a higher pressure than a second column of the double column and in which we send a flow enriched in oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen from the first column to the second column (13, 113) of the double column. Procédé selon la revendication 3 ou 4 dans lequel on soutire un débit liquide (41, 141) de la première ou la deuxième colonne et on le vaporise par échange de chaleur avec de l'air, éventuellement après l'avoir pressurisé.Method according to claim 3 or 4 in which a flow is withdrawn liquid (41, 141) from the first or second column and is vaporized by heat exchange with air, possibly after pressurizing it. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel la totalité (119) de l'air est comprimé jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the all (119) of the air is compressed to the intermediate pressure. Procédé selon la revendication 6 dans lequel l'air est épuré en eau et en dioxyde de carbone à la pression intermédiaire.The method of claim 6 wherein the air is purified of water and carbon dioxide at intermediate pressure. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel la température d'aspiration de la deuxième turbine (7, 107) est supérieure à celle de la première turbine (9, 109).Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the suction temperature of the second turbine (7, 107) is higher than that of the first turbine (9, 109). Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel une portion (29, 129) non-détendue de la première fraction se condense par échange de chaleur avec un fluide (41, 141) soutiré de la colonne (13, 113).Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a non-relaxed portion (29, 129) of the first fraction condenses by exchange heat with a fluid (41, 141) withdrawn from the column (13, 113). Procédé selon la revendication 9 dans lequel la portion (29, 129) qui se condense échange de la chaleur avec un liquide qui se vaporise.The method of claim 9 wherein the portion (29, 129) which condenses heat exchange with a vaporizing liquid. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel une portion (29, 129) non-détendue ou détendue de la deuxième fraction se condense par échange de chaleur avec un fluide soutiré de la colonne (13, 113).Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a non-relaxed or relaxed portion (29, 129) of the second fraction condenses by heat exchange with a fluid withdrawn from the column (13, 113). Procédé selon la revendication 11 dans lequel la portion (29, 129) qui se condense échange de la chaleur avec le liquide qui se vaporise.The method of claim 11 wherein the portion (29, 129) which condenses heat exchange with the vaporizing liquid. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le débit liquide soutiré de la colonne (11, 13, 90) est enrichi en oxygène, en azote ou en argon. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid flow withdrawn from the column (11, 13, 90) is enriched with oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Procédé selon la revendication 13 dans lequel plusieurs débits liquides se vaporisent par échange de chaleur avec de l'air.The method of claim 13 wherein multiple rates liquids vaporize by heat exchange with air. Procédé selon la revendication 14 dans lequel un premier liquide se vaporise par échange avec la portion non-détendue de la première fraction qui se condense et un deuxième liquide se vaporise par échange avec une portion détendue ou non-détendue de la deuxième fraction qui se condense.The method of claim 14 wherein a first liquid is vaporizes by exchange with the non-relaxed portion of the first fraction which condenses and a second liquid is vaporized by exchange with a portion relaxed or non-relaxed from the second fraction which condenses. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel une fraction de l'air est refroidie dans un groupe frigorifique (103, 203, 303, 403, 450, 503, 603).Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a fraction of the air is cooled in a refrigeration unit (103, 203, 303, 403, 450, 503, 603). Procédé selon la revendication 16 dans lequel au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est refroidie dans un groupe frigorifique.The method of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the second fraction is cooled in a refrigeration unit. Procédé selon la revendication 17 dans lequel la température de sortie du groupe frigorifique est la température d'entrée de la deuxième turbine.The method of claim 17 wherein the temperature of outlet of the refrigeration unit is the inlet temperature of the second turbine. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel l'énergie d'au moins une des turbines (7, 9, 107, 109) sert à entraíner un ou plusieurs compresseurs (5, 6).Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the energy of at least one of the turbines (7, 9, 107, 109) is used to drive one or more several compressors (5, 6). Procédé selon la revendication 19 dans lequel la première turbine sert à entraíner un compresseur qui comprime la première fraction de la haute pression à une pression encore plus élevée avant le refroidissement de la première fraction.The method of claim 19 wherein the first turbine is used to drive a compressor that compresses the first fraction of the high pressure to an even higher pressure before the cool down first fraction. Procédé selon la revendication 19 dans lequel la première turbine et la deuxième turbine servent à entraíner des compresseurs en série qui compriment la première fraction.The method of claim 19 wherein the first turbine and the second turbine are used to drive compressors in series which compress the first fraction. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes dans lequel la première fraction se condense au moins partiellement lors de la détente dans la première turbine.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first fraction at least partially condenses upon expansion in the first turbine. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes dans lequel la température en sortie de la deuxième turbine est proche de celle en entrée de la première turbine.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the temperature at the outlet of the second turbine is close to that at the inlet of the first turbine. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel un débit de la colonne basse pression alimente une colonne argon (90). Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a flow from the low pressure column feeds an argon column (90). Installation de séparation cryogénique des gaz de l'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant : au moins une première colonne de distillation d'air (13, 113, 213, 413, 513, 613) une ligne d'échange (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608), des moyens (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601) pour comprimer tout l'air à une moyenne pression, des moyens (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) pour comprimer au moins une partie de l'air jusqu'à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et une haute pression, des moyens (6, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) pour comprimer de l'air de la pression intermédiaire à la haute pression, des moyens pour envoyer une première et une deuxième fractions d'air à la haute pression à la ligne d'échange, une première turbine (9, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609) pour détendre au moins une partie de la première fraction, éventuellement jusqu'à la moyenne pression, une deuxième turbine (7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607) pour détendre au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire, des moyens (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) pour réchauffer au moins une portion de la partie détendue de la deuxième fraction des moyens (27, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627) pour recycler au moins une partie de cette portion dans l'air à la pression intermédiaire des moyens (41, 141, 241, 341, 541, 641) pour soutirer au moins un liquide d'une colonne de l'installation et des moyens pour l'envoyer à la ligne d'échange    caractérisée en ce qu'elle ne comprend pas de moyen pour augmenter la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine par rapport à la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine. Installation for cryogenic separation of gases from air by cryogenic distillation comprising: at least a first air distillation column (13, 113, 213, 413, 513, 613) an exchange line (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608), means (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601) for compressing all the air at a medium pressure, means (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) for compressing at least part of the air to an intermediate pressure between the medium pressure and a high pressure, means (6, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) for compressing air from the intermediate pressure to the high pressure, means for sending first and second fractions of air at high pressure to the exchange line, a first turbine (9, 109, 209, 309, 409, 509, 609) for expanding at least part of the first fraction, possibly to medium pressure, a second turbine (7, 107, 207, 307, 407, 507, 607) for expanding at least part of the second fraction to the intermediate pressure, means (8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608) for heating at least a portion of the relaxed portion of the second fraction means (27, 127, 227, 327, 427, 527, 627) for recycling at least part of this portion into the air at the intermediate pressure means (41, 141, 241, 341, 541, 641) for withdrawing at least one liquid from a column of the installation and means for sending it to the exchange line characterized in that it does not include means for increasing the supply pressure of the second turbine relative to the supply pressure of the first turbine. Installation selon la revendication 25 comprenant ou ne comprenant pas des moyens (5, 570, 670) pour augmenter la pression d'alimentation de la première turbine par rapport à la pression d'alimentation de la deuxième turbine.Installation according to claim 25 comprising or not comprising no means (5, 570, 670) for increasing the supply pressure of the first turbine relative to the supply pressure of the second turbine. Installation selon la revendication 25 ou 26 selon laquelle la première colonne est soit la colonne opérant à la pression plus basse soit la colonne opérant à la pression plus élevée d'une double colonne ou une colonne d'une triple colonne.Installation according to claim 25 or 26 according to which the first column is either the column operating at the lower pressure or the column operating at the higher pressure of a double column or a column of a triple column. Installation selon la revendication 27 dans lequel la première colonne opère à une pression plus élevée qu'une deuxième colonne de la double colonne et dans lequel on envoie un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote de la première colonne à la deuxième colonne (13, 113) de la double colonne.Installation according to claim 27 in which the first column operates at a higher pressure than a second column of the double column and in which we send a flow enriched in oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen from the first column to the second column (13, 113) of the double column. Installation selon la revendication 27 ou 28 comprenant des moyens pour soutirer un débit liquide (41, 141) de la première ou la deuxième colonne ou une colonne d'argon (90) et le vaporiser par échange de chaleur avec de l'air, éventuellement après l'avoir pressurisé.Installation according to claim 27 or 28 comprising means for withdrawing a liquid flow (41, 141) from the first or second column or an argon column (90) and vaporize it by heat exchange with air, possibly after pressurizing it. Installation selon l'une des revendications 25 à 29 dans laquelle la totalité (119) de l'air est comprimé jusqu'à la pression intermédiaire.Installation according to one of claims 25 to 29 in which the all (119) of the air is compressed to the intermediate pressure. Installation selon l'une des revendications 25 à 30 comprenant des moyens pour soutirer un débit liquide enrichi en oxygène, en azote ou en argon de l'installation.Installation according to one of claims 25 to 30 comprising means for withdrawing a liquid flow enriched with oxygen, nitrogen or argon of the installation. Installation selon une des revendications 25 à 31comprenant un groupe frigorifique (550) pour refroidir une partie de l'air.Installation according to one of claims 25 to 31 comprising a refrigeration unit (550) to cool part of the air. Installation selon l'une des revendications 25 à 32 comprenant une colonne argon ( 90 ).Installation according to one of claims 25 to 32 comprising a argon column (90). Installation selon l'une des revendications 25 à 33 comprenant une triple colonne comprenant une première colonne opérant à haute pression alimentée par de l'air, une colonne opérant à pression intermédiaire et une colonne opérant à basse pression.Installation according to one of claims 25 to 33 comprising a triple column including a first column operating at high pressure supplied with air, a column operating at intermediate pressure and a column operating at low pressure. Installation selon la revendication 34 dans lequel les moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne sont reliées à la colonne haute pression, la colonne intermédiaire ou la colonne basse pression.Installation according to claim 34 wherein the means for withdrawing liquid from a column are connected to the high pressure column, the intermediate column or low pressure column.
EP99403101A 1998-12-22 1999-12-09 Cryogenic process for separating air gases Expired - Lifetime EP1014020B1 (en)

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US6257020B1 (en) 2001-07-10
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FR2787560B1 (en) 2001-02-09
DE69912229T2 (en) 2004-08-05
EP1014020B1 (en) 2003-10-22
DE69912229D1 (en) 2003-11-27
ES2211010T3 (en) 2004-07-01

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