EP1063484A1 - Process and device for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Process and device for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1063484A1
EP1063484A1 EP00401767A EP00401767A EP1063484A1 EP 1063484 A1 EP1063484 A1 EP 1063484A1 EP 00401767 A EP00401767 A EP 00401767A EP 00401767 A EP00401767 A EP 00401767A EP 1063484 A1 EP1063484 A1 EP 1063484A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pump
liquid
column
gas
pressurized
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EP00401767A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1063484B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Gourbier
Lucien Greter
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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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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
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04254—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using the cold stored in external cryogenic fluids
    • F25J3/0426—The cryogenic component does not participate in the fractionation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/02—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams using a pump in general or hydrostatic pressure increase
    • 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
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the 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
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/52—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen enriched compared to air ("crude 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
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and installation of separation of a gas mixture, for example air, by cryogenic distillation and in particular to a process for producing gas under pressure.
  • JP49117364 proposes to vaporize part of the liquid intended for the pump in a dedicated exchanger to produce the gas of barrage.
  • An object of the invention is to simplify the installation.
  • an air flow 1 to 6 bar is sent to the exchanger 3. After partial cooling, it is divided into two. Flow 5 continues to cooling and liquefies in the exchanger, while flow 7 is expanded in a Claude turbine and sent to a double column comprising a medium pressure column 9 and a low pressure column 11. Liquefied flow 5 is split between the two columns of the double column or sent to a single columns.
  • a flow 13 enriched in oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the column medium pressure 9 and sent to an intermediate point in the lower column pressure 11.
  • a flow of liquid nitrogen is sent from the medium pressure column at the head of the low pressure column.
  • a flow 15 containing at least 80% oxygen is withdrawn from the the low pressure column 11, pressurized to 30 bar in the pump 17 and sent in exchanger 3 where it vaporizes and heats up to room temperature.
  • Part 21 of this flow is sent as barrier gas to the pump 17.
  • the barrier gas can come from a gas network 18 under pressure having the same main component as flow 15 but also being pure or purer than this flow.
  • This network gas can be used as a barrier gas if its pressure is higher than that of suction from pump 17.
  • the external source can be a liquid storage 20 other than a column of system distillation. The liquid is then vaporized either in the exchanger 3 or in a dedicated exchanger after a possible pressurization step to supply the barrier gas for pump 17.
  • the residual nitrogen 19 of the low pressure column heats up in the exchanger 3.
  • the same barrier gas is sent to the pump 23 which is used to send liquid oxygen to storage 25 and to pump 27 of the film vaporizer connecting the medium pressure column and the low pressure column and at the pump 29 of rise of rich liquid.
  • the same barrier gas can also be sent to the pump that transfers liquid oxygen from the low pressure column tank to the head condenser of the medium pressure column.
  • the pressurized liquid sent to the top of the mixing column can come from a pump whose barrier gas is common to all other pumps.
  • barrier gases possibly of different purities rather than a common barrier gas for all pumps for pressurizing a liquid with the same component main.
  • barrier gas is common, its purity is equal to or higher than the purest liquid pressurized by a system pump which it serves as a barrier gas and its pressure is greater than the pressure of the pump with the highest suction pressure it serves dam gas.
  • the pumped liquid will be rich in oxygen but it is also known to pump liquids rich in nitrogen or argon or in the processes of separation of mixtures of hydrogen, of monoxide of carbon and methane, into methane.
  • the barrier gas has the same main component than the pumped liquid or even, in addition, that it is at least as pure as this liquid, if not more pure.
  • the barrier gas may have a composition very different from the pumped liquid.
  • oxygen does not must especially contain nitrogen while the presence of argon is not harmful; for other applications the opposite is true.
  • a gas rich in argon or nitrogen can serve as barrier gas. Even air can sometimes act as a barrier gas.
  • an external source of liquid oxygen (therefore a external source other than a system column) is connected to means to vaporize at least some of this liquid and means to send the steam thus formed at the first pump to serve as a barrier gas.
  • an external source of a gas is constituted by a pipe of purer oxygen than the liquid to be pumped from a network.
  • the pipe is connected to means to send this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas.

Abstract

Cryogenic distillation includes supplying a compressed, purified and cooled gas to a distillation column and supplying to a pump a liquid drawn off from the column. A barrier gas used in pump(s) in the distillation system is a gas and/or vapor from outside the system and/or a vaporized liquid drawn off from a column. An Independent claim is included for a cryogenic distillation system as above . Preferred Features: The gas supplied to the plant is air including traces of methane, carbon monoxide or hydrogen. The liquid supplied to the pump is rich in oxygen, nitrogen or argon. On leaving the pump it passes to an exchanger used to cool the gas supplied to the column.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé et installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux, par exemple de l'air, par distillation cryogénique et en particulier à un procédé de production de gaz sous pression.The present invention relates to a method and installation of separation of a gas mixture, for example air, by cryogenic distillation and in particular to a process for producing gas under pressure.

Il est connu de pressuriser un liquide produit par une colonne de distillation dans une pompe et de le vaporiser dans l'échangeur principal de l'appareil pour fournir du gaz sous pression. Les gaz produits sont parfois pollués par le gaz de barrage de la pompe. Le gaz de barrage le plus fréquemment utilisé est de l'azote car il est disponible dans les unités de séparation et a un coût de revient faible et une pression convenable (voir Epifanova et Axelrod, Séparation de l'air, Editions Mashinostroienie 1964, Volume 1, pages 199, 203). Si le liquide pompé est de l'oxygène, il peut être contaminé par cet azote à cause de l'usure des labyrinthes de la pompe, d'un déréglage des organes de contrôle ou par retro diffusion.It is known to pressurize a liquid produced by a column of distillation in a pump and vaporize it in the main exchanger of the apparatus for supplying pressurized gas. The gases produced are sometimes polluted by the pump barrier gas. The most frequently used barrier gas is nitrogen because it is available in separation units and has a cost of returns low and a suitable pressure (see Epifanova and Axelrod, Separation of the air, Editions Mashinostroienie 1964, Volume 1, pages 199, 203). If the liquid pumped is oxygen, it can be contaminated by this nitrogen due to wear pump labyrinths, adjustment of control devices or retro diffusion.

Pour pallier ce problème, JP49117364 propose de vaporiser une partie du liquide destiné à la pompe dans un échangeur dédié pour produire le gaz de barrage.To overcome this problem, JP49117364 proposes to vaporize part of the liquid intended for the pump in a dedicated exchanger to produce the gas of barrage.

Un but de l'invention est de simplifier l'installation.An object of the invention is to simplify the installation.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation cryogénique dans lequel :

  • on refroidit au moins une partie du mélange comprimé et épuré dans un échangeur;
  • on envoie le mélange refroidi à une colonne de distillation d'un système comprenant au moins une colonne ;
  • on soutire un liquide d'une colonne du système ;
  • on pressurise le liquide dans une première pompe ;
  • on utilise comme gaz de barrage d'une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système ;
  • i) un gaz provenant d'une source extérieure autre qu'une colonne du système et/ou
  • ii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant un liquide provenant d'une source extérieure et/ou
  • iii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant une partie d'un liquide soutiré d'une colonne du système pressurisé dans la première ou une deuxième pompe.
According to an object of the invention, there is provided a process for the separation of a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation in which:
  • at least part of the compressed and purified mixture is cooled in an exchanger;
  • the cooled mixture is sent to a distillation column of a system comprising at least one column;
  • a liquid is withdrawn from a column of the system;
  • the liquid is pressurized in a first pump;
  • one or more system pump (s) are used as the barrier gas;
  • i) a gas from an external source other than a system column and / or
  • ii) the vapor produced by vaporizing a liquid from an external source and / or
  • iii) the vapor produced by vaporizing part of a liquid withdrawn from a column of the pressurized system in the first or a second pump.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention, il est prévu que :

  • on vaporise une partie du liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe dans l'échangeur où se refroidit au moins une partie du mélange gazeux ;
  • au moins un gaz produit par la colonne se réchauffe dans l'échangeur où se refroidit au moins une partie du mélange gazeux ;
  • seuls la partie du mélange gazeux et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe sont envoyés à l'échangeur ;
  • le liquide vaporisé pour former le gaz de barrage est pressurisé par une deuxième pompe, ce liquide pressurisé dans la deuxième pompe ayant la même composante principale que le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe et étant aussi pur ou plus pur que le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe ;
  • le mélange gazeux est de l'air et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe est riche en oxygène, azote ou argon ;
  • le mélange gazeux contient au moins 1 mol % de méthane, au moins 1 mol % de monoxyde de carbone, au moins 1 mol % d'hydrogène et/ou au moins 1 mol % d'azote et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe est riche en méthane, monoxyde de carbone, hydrogène ou azote ;
  • le gaz de barrage est à une pression supérieure à la pression d'aspiration de la première pompe ;
  • le gaz de barrage est envoyé à toutes les pompes du système pompant un liquide ayant la même composante principale que le liquide pompé par la première pompe.
  • le système comprend une pompe d'envoi d'un liquide d'une des colonnes au stockage et/ou une pompe de vaporiseur à film et/ou une pompe d'envoi de liquide d'une colonne du système à une autre colonne du système et dans lequel le gaz de barrage d'au moins une de ces pompes est
  • i) un gaz provenant d'une source extérieure autre qu'une colonne du système et/ou
  • ii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant un liquide provenant d'une source extérieure et/ou
  • iii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant une partie d'un liquide soutiré d'une colonne du système pressurisé dans la première ou une deuxième pompe.
According to other optional aspects of the invention, it is intended that:
  • a part of the pressurized liquid is vaporized in the first pump in the exchanger where at least part of the gas mixture cools;
  • at least one gas produced by the column heats up in the exchanger where at least part of the gas mixture cools;
  • only the part of the gas mixture and the liquid pressurized in the first pump are sent to the exchanger;
  • the liquid vaporized to form the barrier gas is pressurized by a second pump, this liquid pressurized in the second pump having the same main component as the liquid pressurized in the first pump and being as pure or purer than the liquid pressurized in the first pump ;
  • the gas mixture is air and the liquid pressurized in the first pump is rich in oxygen, nitrogen or argon;
  • the gas mixture contains at least 1 mol% of methane, at least 1 mol% of carbon monoxide, at least 1 mol% of hydrogen and / or at least 1 mol% of nitrogen and the liquid pressurized in the first pump is rich in methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen or nitrogen;
  • the barrier gas is at a pressure higher than the suction pressure of the first pump;
  • barrier gas is sent to all the pumps in the system pumping a liquid having the same main component as the liquid pumped by the first pump.
  • the system comprises a pump for sending a liquid from one of the storage columns and / or a film vaporizer pump and / or a pump for sending liquid from a system column to another column in the system and in which the barrier gas from at least one of these pumps is
  • i) a gas from an external source other than a system column and / or
  • ii) the vapor produced by vaporizing a liquid from an external source and / or
  • iii) the vapor produced by vaporizing part of a liquid withdrawn from a column of the pressurized system in the first or a second pump.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu une installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation cryogénique comprenant :

  • un échangeur de chaleur,
  • une première pompe et éventuellement une deuxième pompe,
  • un système de colonnes de distillation comprenant au moins une colonne,
  • des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie du mélange gazeux à l'échangeur de chaleur et ensuite à une colonne du système,
  • des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et de l'envoyer à une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système et
  • i) au moins une source extérieure d'un gaz autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour envoyer ce gaz pressurisé à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou
  • ii) au moins une source extérieure de liquide autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour vaporiser au moins une partie de ce liquide et d'envoyer la vapeur ainsi formée à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou
  • iii) des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et d'en vaporiser au moins une partie en aval de la première ou de la deuxième pompe pour fournir un gaz de barrage pour la première pompe.
According to another object of the invention, there is provided an installation for separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation comprising:
  • a heat exchanger,
  • a first pump and possibly a second pump,
  • a system of distillation columns comprising at least one column,
  • means for sending at least part of the gas mixture to the heat exchanger and then to a column of the system,
  • means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the system and sending it to one or more pump (s) of the system and
  • i) at least one external source of a gas other than a column of the system and means for sending this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or
  • ii) at least one external source of liquid other than a column of the system and means for vaporizing at least part of this liquid and sending the vapor thus formed to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or
  • iii) means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the system and for vaporizing at least a part of it downstream of the first or of the second pump to supply a barrier gas for the first pump.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention, l'installation comprend :

  • des moyens pour envoyer le liquide de la première et/ou de la deuxième pompe à l'échangeur et des moyens pour sortir le liquide vaporisé de l'échangeur.
  • un autre échangeur de chaleur dans lequel se vaporise le liquide destiné à fournir le gaz de barrage.
  • le mélange gazeux est de l'air et le système de colonnes comprend une triple colonne, une double colonne ou une simple colonne éventuellement associée avec une colonne argon et/ou une colonne de mélange.
  • la première et éventuellement la deuxième pompe(s) est (sont) une (des) pompe(s) à labyrinthe.
  • des moyens pour envoyer le même gaz de barrage à toutes les pompes du système pressurisant un liquide ayant la même composante principale que le liquide pressurisé par la première pompe.
  • une pompe pour envoyer un liquide d'une colonne du système au stockage et/ou une pompe de vaporiseur à film et/ou une pompe pour envoyer du liquide d'une colonne ou un condenseur du système à une autre colonne ou un autre condenseur du système.
  • le moyen pour envoyer un gaz de barrage d'au moins une des autres pompes comprend
  • i) une source extérieure d'un gaz autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour envoyer ce gaz pressurisé à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou
  • ii) une source extérieure de liquide autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour vaporiser au moins une partie de ce liquide et d'envoyer la vapeur ainsi formée à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou
  • iii) des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et d'en vaporiser au moins une partie en aval de la première ou de la deuxième pompe pour fournir un gaz de barrage pour la première pompe.
According to other optional aspects of the invention, the installation comprises:
  • means for sending the liquid from the first and / or the second pump to the exchanger and means for removing the vaporized liquid from the exchanger.
  • another heat exchanger in which the liquid intended to supply the barrier gas is vaporized.
  • the gas mixture is air and the column system comprises a triple column, a double column or a single column optionally associated with an argon column and / or a mixing column.
  • the first and possibly the second pump (s) is (are) a labyrinth pump (s).
  • means for sending the same barrier gas to all the pumps of the system pressurizing a liquid having the same main component as the liquid pressurized by the first pump.
  • a pump to send liquid from a column of the system to storage and / or a film vaporizer pump and / or a pump to send liquid from a column or a condenser of the system to another column or another condenser of the system.
  • the means for sending a barrier gas from at least one of the other pumps comprises
  • i) an external source of a gas other than a system column and means for sending this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or
  • ii) an external source of liquid other than a column of the system and means for vaporizing at least part of this liquid and sending the vapor thus formed to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or
  • iii) means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the system and for vaporizing at least a part of it downstream of the first or of the second pump to supply a barrier gas for the first pump.

L'invention sera maintenant décrite en référant aux figures 1 à 3 qui sont des représentations schématiques d'installations selon l'invention.The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 which are schematic representations of installations according to the invention.

Dans la figure 1 un débit d'air 1 à 6 bar est envoyé à l'échangeur 3. Après un refroidissement partiel, il est divisé en deux. Le débit 5 poursuit son refroidissement et se liquéfie dans l'échangeur, tandis que le débit 7 est détendu dans une turbine Claude et envoyé à une double colonne comprenant une colonne moyenne pression 9 et une colonne basse pression 11. Le débit liquéfié 5 est divisé entre les deux colonnes de la double colonne ou envoyé à une seule des colonnes.In Figure 1 an air flow 1 to 6 bar is sent to the exchanger 3. After partial cooling, it is divided into two. Flow 5 continues to cooling and liquefies in the exchanger, while flow 7 is expanded in a Claude turbine and sent to a double column comprising a medium pressure column 9 and a low pressure column 11. Liquefied flow 5 is split between the two columns of the double column or sent to a single columns.

Un débit 13 enrichi en oxygène est soutiré en cuve de la colonne moyenne pression 9 et envoyé à un point intermédiaire de la colonne basse pression 11.Un débit d'azote liquide est envoyé de la colonne moyenne pression en tête de la colonne basse pression. A flow 13 enriched in oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the column medium pressure 9 and sent to an intermediate point in the lower column pressure 11. A flow of liquid nitrogen is sent from the medium pressure column at the head of the low pressure column.

Un débit 15 contenant au moins 80% d'oxygène est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 11, pressurisé à 30 bar dans la pompe 17 et envoyé dans l'échangeur 3 où il se vaporise et se réchauffe à la température ambiante.A flow 15 containing at least 80% oxygen is withdrawn from the the low pressure column 11, pressurized to 30 bar in the pump 17 and sent in exchanger 3 where it vaporizes and heats up to room temperature.

Une partie 21 de ce débit est envoyé comme gaz de barrage à la pompe 17.Part 21 of this flow is sent as barrier gas to the pump 17.

En variante le gaz de barrage peut provenir d'un réseau de gaz 18 sous pression ayant la même composante principale que le débit 15 mais étant aussi pur ou plus pur que ce débit. Ce gaz du réseau peut servir de gaz de barrage si sa pression est supérieure à celle d'aspiration de la pompe 17. Alternativement la source extérieure peut être un stockage de liquide 20 autre qu'une colonne de distillation du système. Le liquide est ensuite vaporisé soit dans l'échangeur 3 soit dans un échangeur dédié après une étape éventuelle de pressurisation pour fournir le gaz de barrage de la pompe 17.As a variant, the barrier gas can come from a gas network 18 under pressure having the same main component as flow 15 but also being pure or purer than this flow. This network gas can be used as a barrier gas if its pressure is higher than that of suction from pump 17. Alternatively the external source can be a liquid storage 20 other than a column of system distillation. The liquid is then vaporized either in the exchanger 3 or in a dedicated exchanger after a possible pressurization step to supply the barrier gas for pump 17.

L'azote résiduaire 19 de la colonne basse pression se réchauffe dans l'échangeur 3.The residual nitrogen 19 of the low pressure column heats up in the exchanger 3.

Le même gaz de barrage est envoyé à la pompe 23 qui sert à envoyer de l'oxygène liquide au stockage 25 et à la pompe 27 du vaporiseur à film reliant la colonne moyenne pression et la colonne basse pression et à la pompe 29 de remontée de liquide riche.The same barrier gas is sent to the pump 23 which is used to send liquid oxygen to storage 25 and to pump 27 of the film vaporizer connecting the medium pressure column and the low pressure column and at the pump 29 of rise of rich liquid.

Dans le cas où les colonnes moyenne et basse pression seraient disposées cote à cote le même gaz de barrage peut également être envoyé à la pompe qui transfère l'oxygène liquide de la cuve de la colonne basse pression au condenseur de tête de la colonne moyenne pression.In the case where the medium and low pressure columns are arranged side by side the same barrier gas can also be sent to the pump that transfers liquid oxygen from the low pressure column tank to the head condenser of the medium pressure column.

Dans le cas où le système comprendrait une colonne de mélange, le liquide pressurisé envoyé en tête de la colonne de mélange peut provenir d'une pompe dont le gaz de barrage est commun à toutes les autres pompes.If the system includes a mixing column, the pressurized liquid sent to the top of the mixing column can come from a pump whose barrier gas is common to all other pumps.

Evidemment, il est possible d'utiliser plusieurs gaz de barrage, éventuellement de puretés différentes plutôt qu'un gaz de barrage commun pour toutes les pompes servant à pressuriser un liquide ayant la même composante principale.Obviously, it is possible to use several barrier gases, possibly of different purities rather than a common barrier gas for all pumps for pressurizing a liquid with the same component main.

Dans le cas où le gaz de barrage serait commun, sa pureté est égale ou supérieure à celle du liquide le plus pur pressurisé par une pompe du système dont il sert de gaz de barrage et sa pression est supérieure à la pression d'aspiration de le pompe ayant la pression d'aspiration la plus élevée dont il sert de gaz de barrage.If the barrier gas is common, its purity is equal to or higher than the purest liquid pressurized by a system pump which it serves as a barrier gas and its pressure is greater than the pressure of the pump with the highest suction pressure it serves dam gas.

Dans la plupart des cas le liquide pompé sera riche en oxygène mais il est également connu de pomper des liquides riches en azote ou en argon ou dans les procédés de séparation de mélanges d'hydrogène, de monoxyde de carbone et de méthane, en méthane.In most cases the pumped liquid will be rich in oxygen but it is also known to pump liquids rich in nitrogen or argon or in the processes of separation of mixtures of hydrogen, of monoxide of carbon and methane, into methane.

Dans certains cas, il est nécessaire que le gaz de barrage ait la même composante principale que le liquide pompé ou même, en plus, qu'il soit au moins aussi pur que ce liquide, sinon plus pur.In some cases it is necessary that the barrier gas has the same main component than the pumped liquid or even, in addition, that it is at least as pure as this liquid, if not more pure.

Dans d'autre cas, le gaz de barrage peut avoir une composition très différente du liquide pompé. Par exemple, pour certains applications, l'oxygène ne doit surtout par contenir de l'azote alors que la présence d'argon n'est pas nuisible ; pour d'autres applications le contraire est vrai.In other cases, the barrier gas may have a composition very different from the pumped liquid. For example, for some applications, oxygen does not must especially contain nitrogen while the presence of argon is not harmful; for other applications the opposite is true.

Dans ces cas respectifs, un gaz riche en argon ou azote peut servir de gaz de barrage. Même de l'air peut parfois servir de gaz de barrage.In these respective cases, a gas rich in argon or nitrogen can serve as barrier gas. Even air can sometimes act as a barrier gas.

Dans la figure 2 une source extérieure d'oxygène liquide (donc une source extérieure autre qu'une colonne du système) est reliée à des moyens pour vaporiser au moins une partie de ce liquide et des moyens d'envoyer la vapeur ainsi formée à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage.In Figure 2 an external source of liquid oxygen (therefore a external source other than a system column) is connected to means to vaporize at least some of this liquid and means to send the steam thus formed at the first pump to serve as a barrier gas.

Dans la figure 3, une source extérieure d'un gaz est constituée par une conduite d'oxygène plus pur que le liquide à pomper provenant d'un réseau. La conduite est reliée à des moyens pour envoyer ce gaz pressurisé à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage.In FIG. 3, an external source of a gas is constituted by a pipe of purer oxygen than the liquid to be pumped from a network. The pipe is connected to means to send this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas.

Claims (21)

Procédé de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation cryogénique dans lequel : on refroidit au moins une partie du mélange (1) comprimé et épuré dans un échangeur (3) ; on envoie le mélange refroidi à une colonne de distillation (9) d'un système comprenant au moins une colonne ; on soutire un liquide (15) d'une colonne (11) du système ; on pressurise le liquide dans une première pompe (17) ; on utilise comme gaz de barrage d'une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système (17, 23, 29); i) un gaz provenant d'au moins une source extérieure autre qu'une colonne du système et/ou ii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant un liquide provenant d'une source extérieure et/ou iii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant une partie d'un liquide soutiré d'une colonne du système pressurisé dans la première ou une deuxième pompe. Process for the separation of a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation in which: at least part of the mixture (1) compressed and purified is cooled in an exchanger (3); the cooled mixture is sent to a distillation column (9) of a system comprising at least one column; a liquid (15) is withdrawn from a column (11) of the system; the liquid is pressurized in a first pump (17); one or more pump (s) of the system (17, 23, 29) are used as the barrier gas; i) a gas from at least one external source other than a system column and / or ii) the vapor produced by vaporizing a liquid from an external source and / or iii) the vapor produced by vaporizing part of a liquid withdrawn from a column of the pressurized system in the first or a second pump. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel on utilise comme gaz de barrage d'une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système (17, 23, 29) un gaz provenant d'au moins une source extérieure autre qu'une colonne du système.Process according to claim 1, in which gas is used of one or more pump (s) in the system (17, 23, 29) a gas from at least one external source other than a system column. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel on utilise comme gaz de barrage d'une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système (17, 23, 29) la vapeur produite en vaporisant un liquide provenant d'une source extérieure .Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the following are used: barrier gas from one or more system pump (s) (17, 23, 29) steam produced by vaporizing a liquid from an external source. Procédé selon la revendication 1,2 ou 3 dans lequel on utilise comme gaz de barrage d'une ou plusieurs pompe(s) du système (17, 23, 29) la vapeur produite en vaporisant une partie d'un liquide soutiré d'une colonne du système pressurisé dans la première ou une deuxième pompe.Method according to claim 1,2 or 3, in which use is made as barrier gas from one or more system pump (s) (17, 23, 29) the vapor produced by vaporizing part of a liquid drawn from a column of the pressurized system in the first or second pump. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4 dans lequel on vaporise une partie du liquide (15) pressurisé dans la première pompe dans l'échangeur (3) où se refroidit au moins une partie (5) du mélange gazeux. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein vaporizes part of the liquid (15) pressurized in the first pump in the exchanger (3) where at least part (5) of the gas mixture cools. Procédé selon la revendication 5 dans lequel au moins un gaz produit par la colonne se réchauffe dans l'échangeur (3) où se refroidit au moins une partie du mélange gazeux (5).The method of claim 5 wherein at least one gas produced by the column heats up in the exchanger (3) where it cools at least part of the gas mixture (5). Procédé selon la revendication 5 dans lequel seuls la partie du mélange gazeux et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe sont envoyés à l'échangeur.The method of claim 5 wherein only the portion of the gas mixture and the pressurized liquid in the first pump are sent to the exchanger. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le liquide vaporisé pour former le gaz de barrage est pressurisé par une deuxième pompe, ce liquide ayant la même composante principale que le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe et étant aussi pur ou plus pur que le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the liquid vaporized to form the barrier gas is pressurized by a second pump, this liquid having the same main component as the pressurized liquid in the first pump and being as pure or purer than the pressurized liquid in the first pump. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le mélange gazeux est de l'air et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe est riche en oxygène, azote ou argon.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gas mixture is air and the pressurized liquid in the first pump is rich in oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 8 dans lequel le mélange gazeux contient au moins 1 mol.% de méthane, au moins 1 mol.% de monoxyde de carbone, au moins 1 mol.% d'hydrogène et/ou au moins 1 mol.% d'azote et le liquide pressurisé dans la première pompe est riche en méthane, monoxyde de carbone, hydrogène ou azote.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the mixture gaseous contains at least 1 mol.% of methane, at least 1 mol.% of monoxide of carbon, at least 1 mol.% of hydrogen and / or at least 1 mol.% of nitrogen and the pressurized liquid in the first pump is rich in methane, monoxide carbon, hydrogen or nitrogen. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 10 dans lequel le gaz de barrage est à une pression supérieure à la pression de la première pompe.Method according to one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the gas of dam is at a pressure higher than the pressure of the first pump. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 11 dans lequel le gaz de barrage est envoyé à toutes les pompes du système pompant un liquide ayant la même composante principale que le liquide pompé par la première pompe.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the dam is sent to all the pumps in the system pumping a liquid having the same main component as the liquid pumped by the first pump. Procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 12 dans lequel le système comprend une pompe (23) d'envoi d'un liquide d'une des colonnes au stockage (25) et/ou une pompe de vaporiseur à film (27) et/ou une pompe (29) d'envoi de liquide d'une colonne du système à une autre colonne du système et dans lequel le gaz de barrage d'au moins une de ces pompes comprend i) un gaz provenant d'au moins une source extérieure (18) autre qu'une colonne du système et/ou ii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant un liquide provenant d'au moins une source extérieure (20) et/ou iii) la vapeur produite en vaporisant une partie d'un liquide soutiré d'une colonne du système pressurisé dans la première ou une deuxième pompe. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, in which the system comprises a pump (23) for sending a liquid from one of the storage columns (25) and / or a film vaporizer pump (27) and / or a pump (29) for sending liquid from one column of the system to another column of the system and in which the barrier gas from at least one of these pumps comprises i) a gas from at least one external source (18) other than a system column and / or ii) the vapor produced by vaporizing a liquid from at least one external source (20) and / or iii) the vapor produced by vaporizing part of a liquid withdrawn from a column of the pressurized system in the first or a second pump. Installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation cryogénique comprenant : un échangeur de chaleur (3), une première pompe (17) et éventuellement une deuxième pompe, un système de colonnes de distillation comprenant au moins une colonne (9, 11), des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie du mélange gazeux à l'échangeur de chaleur et ensuite à une colonne du système, des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et de l'envoyer à une ou plusieurs pompe (17,23,29), et i) au moins une source extérieure d'un gaz autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour envoyer ce gaz pressurisé à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou ii) au moins une source extérieure de liquide autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour vaporiser au moins une partie de ce liquide et d'envoyer la vapeur ainsi formée à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou iii) des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne du système et d'en vaporiser au moins une partie en aval de la première ou de la deuxième pompe pour fournir un gaz de barrage pour la première pompe. Installation for separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation comprising: a heat exchanger (3), a first pump (17) and possibly a second pump, a system of distillation columns comprising at least one column (9, 11), means for sending at least part of the gas mixture to the heat exchanger and then to a column of the system, means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the system and sending it to one or more pumps (17,23,29), and i) at least one external source of a gas other than a column of the system and means for sending this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or ii) at least one external source of liquid other than a column of the system and means for vaporizing at least part of this liquid and sending the vapor thus formed to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or iii) means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the system and for vaporizing at least a part of it downstream of the first or of the second pump to supply a barrier gas for the first pump. Installation selon la revendication 14 comprenant des moyens pour envoyer le liquide de la première et/ou de la deuxième pompe à l'échangeur et des moyens pour sortir le liquide vaporisé de l'échangeur (3).Installation according to claim 14 comprising means for send the liquid from the first and / or second pump to the exchanger and means for removing the vaporized liquid from the exchanger (3). Installation selon la revendication 14 ou 15 comprenant un autre échangeur de chaleur dans lequel se vaporise le liquide destiné à fournir le gaz de barrage.Installation according to claim 14 or 15 comprising another heat exchanger in which the liquid intended to supply the gas is vaporized dam. Installation selon l'une des revendications 14 à 16 dans laquelle le mélange gazeux est de l'air et le système de colonnes comprend une triple colonne, une double colonne (9,11) ou une simple colonne éventuellement associée avec une colonne argon et/ou une colonne de mélange. Installation according to one of claims 14 to 16 in which the gas mixture is air and the column system includes a triple column, a double column (9,11) or a single column if necessary associated with an argon column and / or a mixing column. Installation selon la revendication 14 à 17 dans laquelle la première et éventuellement la deuxième pompe(s) est (sont) une (des) pompe(s) à labyrinthe.Installation according to claim 14 to 17 wherein the first and optionally the second pump (s) is (are) a pump (s) to labyrinth. Installation selon la revendication 14 à 18 comprenant des moyens pour envoyer le même gaz de barrage à toutes les pompes du système comprimant un liquide ayant la même composante principale que le liquide comprimé par la première pompe.Installation according to claim 14 to 18 comprising means to send the same barrier gas to all pumps in the system compressing a liquid having the same main component as the liquid compressed by the first pump. Installation selon la revendication 14 à 19 comprenant une pompe (23) pour envoyer un liquide d'une colonne du système au stockage (25) et/ou une pompe (27) de vaporiseur à film et/ou une pompe (29) pour envoyer du liquide d'une colonne ou un condenseur du système à une autre colonne ou un autre condenseur du système.Installation according to claim 14 to 19 comprising a pump (23) to send a liquid from a system column to storage (25) and / or a film vaporizer pump (27) and / or a pump (29) for supplying liquid from one column or a system condenser to another column or one other condenser in the system. Installation selon la revendication 20 dans lequel le moyen pour envoyer un gaz de barrage d'au moins une des autres pompes est i) au moins une source extérieure (18) d'un gaz autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour envoyer ce gaz pressurisé à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou ii) au moins une source extérieure (20) de liquide autre qu'une colonne du système et des moyens pour vaporiser au moins une partie de ce liquide et d'envoyer la vapeur ainsi formée à la première pompe pour servir de gaz de barrage et/ou iii) des moyens (3) pour soutirer un liquide (15) d'une colonne du système et d'en vaporiser au moins une partie en aval de la première ou de la deuxième pompe pour fournir un gaz de barrage pour la première pompe. Installation according to claim 20 wherein the means for sending a barrier gas from at least one of the other pumps is i) at least one external source (18) of a gas other than a system column and means for sending this pressurized gas to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and / or ii) at least one external source (20) of liquid other than a column of the system and means for vaporizing at least part of this liquid and sending the vapor thus formed to the first pump to serve as barrier gas and /or iii) means (3) for withdrawing a liquid (15) from a column of the system and for vaporizing at least a portion of it downstream of the first or of the second pump to supply a barrier gas for the first pump.
EP00401767A 1999-06-23 2000-06-21 Process and device for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation Revoked EP1063484B1 (en)

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