EP1078212B1 - Air distillation plant and corresponding cold box - Google Patents

Air distillation plant and corresponding cold box Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1078212B1
EP1078212B1 EP99915849A EP99915849A EP1078212B1 EP 1078212 B1 EP1078212 B1 EP 1078212B1 EP 99915849 A EP99915849 A EP 99915849A EP 99915849 A EP99915849 A EP 99915849A EP 1078212 B1 EP1078212 B1 EP 1078212B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
pressure column
low
pressure
medium
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99915849A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1078212A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Guillard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Publication of EP1078212A1 publication Critical patent/EP1078212A1/en
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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
    • F25J3/04763—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
    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04418—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 with thermally overlapping high and low pressure columns
    • 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
    • F25J3/04436—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 at least a triple pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04448—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 at least a triple pressure main column system in a double column flowsheet with an intermediate 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
    • F25J3/0446—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 the heat generated by mixing two different phases
    • F25J3/04466—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 the heat generated by mixing two different phases for producing oxygen as a mixing column overhead gas by mixing gaseous air feed and liquid oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04678—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser cooled by oxygen enriched liquid from high pressure column bottoms
    • 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
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
    • 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
    • F25J3/04896—Details of columns, e.g. internals, inlet/outlet devices
    • F25J3/04915—Combinations of different material exchange elements, e.g. within different columns
    • 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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/04—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J2200/06—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flow-sheet, 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
    • F25J2235/50—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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/40—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval
    • F25J2240/42—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval the fluid being air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/905—Column
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/905—Column
    • Y10S62/907—Insulation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation of air distillation of the type comprising a medium column pressure, a low pressure column and a vaporizer-condenser of heat exchange relationship of a gas circulating with a liquid from the low pressure column.
  • the invention applies in particular to the supply of impure oxygen, for example for food blast furnaces in the steel industry.
  • Such a column mixing operates under substantially equal pressure or below average pressure. It is supplied with tank by a gas such as purified and compressed air and in head by a liquid more volatile than gas, such as impure liquid oxygen taken from the bottom column tank pressure and pumped to the pressure of the column mixed. It is drawn off at the head of such a mixing column impure oxygen gas to be supplied substantially below the mixing column pressure.
  • a gas such as purified and compressed air
  • a liquid more volatile than gas such as impure liquid oxygen taken from the bottom column tank pressure and pumped to the pressure of the column mixed. It is drawn off at the head of such a mixing column impure oxygen gas to be supplied substantially below the mixing column pressure.
  • the low pressure column overcomes the vaporizer-condenser, which itself overcomes the column medium pressure.
  • the double column then forms a single erected structure and the mixing column is arranged to side of the double column.
  • This double provision column allows the prefabrication in workshop of installation in a limited number of cold boxes or packages of which one main package includes the double column. These packages are then transported to site, where they are erected and connected to form the installation of air distillation.
  • vaporizers-condensers The construction of vaporizers-condensers is generally carried out by companies separate from those ensuring the construction of distillation and mixing columns, cryogenic liquid storage tanks (of small capacity up to a hundred m 3 ) and more generally containments of cryogenic fluid.
  • the pre-assembly of the main package is dependent on the delivery of the vaporizer-condenser, this which leads to delays in prefabrication of the package main and therefore construction of the installation relatively long.
  • US-A-2699043 discloses an air separation installation comprising a medium pressure column surmounted by a condenser and, next to it, a column operating at intermediate pressure surmounted by the part top of a low pressure column.
  • the lower part of the low pressure column is arranged between the two sets and its tank is located at an intermediate level of the medium pressure column.
  • the invention aims to solve this problem by providing a reliable air distillation facility, economical and making it possible to ensure reduced construction.
  • the subject of the invention is a air distillation installation according to claim 1.
  • the intermediate pressure column can be such as described in EP-A-0538118 for example.
  • the heat exchanger is not the evaporator-condenser which allows the exchange of heat between the liquid low pressure column tank and circulating gas.
  • the low pressure column tank liquid is heated by the head gas of the medium pressure column and liquids enriched with oxygen and nitrogen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column.
  • the low pressure column and the element containment of cryogenic fluid are integral one the other.
  • the subject of the invention is also an installation according to claim 8.
  • the vaporizer-condenser can allow to condense a gas from the medium pressure column by heat exchange with liquid from the lower column pressure.
  • the vaporizer-condenser 4 overcomes the middle column pressure 2 to form a first erected structure 16 of which the top is formed by the vaporizer-condenser 4.
  • This structure 16 is surrounded by an insulation envelope thermal 17 (in phantom), which maintains perlite not shown around the structure 16, forming a cold box with the same reference number.
  • the low pressure column 3 is arranged above the mixing column 5 to form a second structure erected 19 or main structure.
  • a connecting skirt 20 connect columns 3 and 5 while maintaining the head of the column 5 spaced from the tank of column 3.
  • the second structure 19 is surrounded by an envelope thermal insulation 21 (in phantom), which maintains perlite not shown around the structure 19, in forming a cold box with the same reference digital.
  • the heat exchangers 7 and 8 have have been positioned to facilitate the representation of so that the cold box 17 is of relative dimensions, compared to the cold box 21, more important than in reality. In reality, these exchangers 7 and 8 are placed so as to optimize the compactness of the box cold 17 that contains them.
  • the two structures 16 and 19 are arranged one at side of the other, the lower part (bottom in the figure 1) of the vaporizer-condenser 4 being arranged substantially at an intermediate level between the head of the middle column pressure 2 and the low pressure column tank 3.
  • the air to be distilled, previously compressed by the compressor 9 and purified by device 10, is then divided in two streams.
  • a first flow crosses the main exchange line thermal 6 by cooling down to the vicinity of its dew point.
  • this first stream is itself divided into two flow, one of which is injected into the tank of the middle column pressure 2 and the other of which is injected, after expansion in an expansion valve 22, at the bottom of the mixing column 5.
  • the second stream of compressed and purified air is compressed by compressor 11, then cooled to a temperature intermediate by partially crossing the line main heat exchange 6, and finally relaxed to the crossing of the turbine 12. This second flow is then introduced at an upper intermediate level of the column low pressure 3.
  • the vaporizer-condenser 4 vaporizes oxygen liquid, about 98% purity, from the tank of the low pressure column 3 by condensing nitrogen at the top of the medium pressure column 2.
  • a pipe 24 sends liquid oxygen from the bottom column tank pressure 3 to the vaporizer-condenser 4, and a line 25 returns the oxygen vaporized from the vaporizer-condenser 4 to the tank in column 3.
  • the layout a part of the vaporizer-condenser 4 at a level located below that of the low pressure column tank 3 and above that of the head of the medium pressure column 2 allows the circulation, on the one hand, of liquid oxygen towards the vaporizer-condenser 4 and, on the other hand, top nitrogen condensed towards the head of the medium pressure column 2, under the effect of gravity, without using a pump.
  • the provision of at least part of the vaporizer-condenser 4 at one level intermediate between the head of the medium pressure column 2 and the tank of the low pressure column 3 allows minimize the pumping means necessary for circulation of these liquids, regardless of the type of vaporizer-condenser 4 used, namely bath, runoff liquid oxygen (vaporizer-condenser called film) ...
  • LR "rich liquid” oxygen enriched air
  • medium pressure tank 2 is sub-cooled to the passage of the auxiliary heat exchanger 7, then expanded in an expansion valve 26 and finally injected into the aforementioned upper intermediate level of the lower column pressure 3.
  • LP "poor liquid” (almost pure nitrogen), taken from the head of the medium pressure column 2, is sub-cooled at the crossing of the auxiliary heat exchanger 7, then relaxed in an expansion valve 27 and finally injected at the top of the low pressure column 3.
  • Impure or "residual" NR nitrogen withdrawn from top of the low pressure column 3, is heated in a first time crossing the heat exchanger auxiliary 7, then in a second step across the main heat exchange line 6.
  • a mixing column is a column that has the same structure than a distillation column but that is used to mix close to reversibility a relatively volatile gas, introduced at its base, and a less volatile liquid introduced at the top. Such a mixture produces cooling energy and therefore reduces energy consumption related to distillation.
  • a column is for example described in document FR-A-2 143 986. In the present case, this mixture is used, by addition, to directly produce impure oxygen under a pressure slightly lower than that prevailing in the medium pressure column 2.
  • liquid oxygen coming from the tank of the low pressure column 3, is withdrawn from the vaporizer-condenser 4, then pumped by pump 13, and reheated on passing through the auxiliary heat exchanger 8. This liquid oxygen is then introduced at the head of the mixing column 5.
  • a second liquid rich in oxygen is taken in tank of mixing column 5 then sub-cooled to crossing of the auxiliary heat exchanger 8.
  • the second rich liquid is finally expanded in an expansion valve 29 before being introduced at a lower intermediate level of the low pressure column 3.
  • Air enriched with oxygen, in liquid form, is withdrawn from an intermediate level of the column mixture 5 then sub-cooled on passing through the exchanger auxiliary thermal 8. This liquid is finally expanded in an expansion valve 30 before being introduced at the level above-mentioned upper intermediate of the low pressure column 3.
  • Impure oxygen gas about 95% pure, is taken from the top of the mixing column and then reheated at the crossing of the main heat exchange line 6 and distributed through a production line 31.
  • the mixing column can be fed at the head by several composition liquid flows different.
  • the cold boxes 17 and 21 were prefabricated in workshop then transported, erected and connected functionally on site, then filled with perlite to train installation 1.
  • Prefabrication of the main cold box 21 is not dependent on the manufacture of the vaporizer-condenser 4 since the latter is not part of the main structure 19.
  • a company manufacturing columns 2, 3 and 5 can completely build the cold box 21 and practically cold box 17 pending delivery of vaporizer-condenser 4.
  • the construction of the cold box 17 can be substantially advanced before this delivery, for example by assembling the middle column pressure 2, the side walls and the bottom of the envelope of thermal insulation 17. All that remains is to mount the vaporizer-condenser 4 above the middle column pressure 2 and to complete the construction of the envelope 17.
  • the invention therefore achieves the goals set by beginning of description by providing a reliable installation, economical and making it possible to ensure prefabrication and therefore more reduced construction.
  • This last advantage is due to the possibility of working in masked time, i.e. the possibility of advancing substantially the construction of cold boxes during the construction of the vaporizer-condenser 4.
  • the second structure 19 can include, in place of or in addition to the mixing column 5, a cryogenic liquid storage tank, in particular liquid oxygen, a so-called Etienne condenser column intermediate (described for example in document US-A-2 699 046) or with head condenser, a section of a column for producing impure argon known as the mixing column, or any other cryogenic fluid containment element disposed under the low pressure column 3.
  • a cryogenic liquid storage tank in particular liquid oxygen
  • a so-called Etienne condenser column intermediate described for example in document US-A-2 699 046
  • head condenser a section of a column for producing impure argon known as the mixing column, or any other cryogenic fluid containment element disposed under the low pressure column 3.
  • Such an element of confinement of cryogenic fluid ensures a relative positioning of the low pressure column 3 and the vaporizer-condenser 4 allowing the circulation of oxygen liquid from the tank in column 3 to the evaporator-condenser 4 by minimizing the use of means of
  • the tank of the low pressure column 3 can be find substantially at the same level or above the vaporizer-condenser 4.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a variant in which a cryogenic fluid storage tank 32 is placed under the mixing column 5 to form the main structure 19.
  • the bottom of the tank 32 is at the same level than the tank of the medium pressure column 2.
  • the tank 32 is, for example, a buffer capacity for storing liquid oxygen from the tank of the low pressure column 2.
  • the low pressure column 3 is arranged on a skirt of support to form the second erected structure 19.
  • These embodiments apply, for example, to air distillation plants which have only one double air distillation column and no mixed.
  • the double columns include a low pressure column with a single vaporizer-condenser which is used to condense the nitrogen in the medium pressure column by heat exchange with the column tank liquid low pressure.
  • the invention applies also in the case where the nitrogen in the middle column pressure is condensed by heat exchange with a liquid intermediate of the low pressure column, the tank being vaporized by heat exchange with air, compressed nitrogen or a medium pressure column gas less volatile than nitrogen.
  • two vaporizer-condensers can be used.

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Abstract

The invention concerns a double column air distillation plant (1), wherein the low pressure column and the medium pressure column are arranged side by side and the low pressure column (3) vessel is above the medium pressure column (2) vessel. The low pressure column is arranged above a cryogenic fluid confining element which may be a mixing column (5), an argon column, a column operating at a pressure level intermediate between the medium pressure and the low pressure, a storage (32) or an exchanger.

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de distillation d'air du type comprenant une colonne moyenne pression, une colonne basse pression et un vaporiseur-condenseur de mise en relation d'échange thermique d'un gaz calorigène avec un liquide de la colonne basse pression.The present invention relates to an installation of air distillation of the type comprising a medium column pressure, a low pressure column and a vaporizer-condenser of heat exchange relationship of a gas circulating with a liquid from the low pressure column.

L'invention s'applique en particulier à la fourniture d'oxygène impur, par exemple pour l'alimentation des hauts-fourneaux dans l'industrie sidérurgique.The invention applies in particular to the supply of impure oxygen, for example for food blast furnaces in the steel industry.

Pour assurer une telle fourniture d'oxygène impur, il est connu d'utiliser une installation du type précité qui comprend en outre une colonne de mélange. Une telle colonne de mélange fonctionne sous une pression sensiblement égale ou inférieure à la moyenne pression. Elle est alimentée en cuve par un gaz tel que de l'air épuré et comprimé et en tête par un liquide plus volatil que le gaz, tel que de l'oxygène liquide impur prélevé en cuve de la colonne basse pression et amené par pompage à la pression de la colonne de mélange. On soutire en tête d'une telle colonne de mélange l'oxygène gazeux impur à fournir sensiblement sous la pression de la colonne de mélange.To ensure such a supply of impure oxygen, it is known to use an installation of the aforementioned type which further includes a mixing column. Such a column mixing operates under substantially equal pressure or below average pressure. It is supplied with tank by a gas such as purified and compressed air and in head by a liquid more volatile than gas, such as impure liquid oxygen taken from the bottom column tank pressure and pumped to the pressure of the column mixed. It is drawn off at the head of such a mixing column impure oxygen gas to be supplied substantially below the mixing column pressure.

Généralement, la colonne basse pression surmonte le vaporiseur-condenseur, qui surmonte lui-même la colonne moyenne pression. La double colonne forme alors une seule structure érigée et la colonne de mélange est disposée à côté de la double colonne. Cette disposition de la double colonne permet la préfabrication en atelier de l'installation en un nombre limité de boítes froides ou paquets dont un paquet principal comprend la double colonne. Ces paquets sont ensuite transportés sur site, où ils sont érigés et raccordés pour former l'installation de distillation d'air.Generally, the low pressure column overcomes the vaporizer-condenser, which itself overcomes the column medium pressure. The double column then forms a single erected structure and the mixing column is arranged to side of the double column. This double provision column allows the prefabrication in workshop of installation in a limited number of cold boxes or packages of which one main package includes the double column. These packages are then transported to site, where they are erected and connected to form the installation of air distillation.

La construction des vaporiseur-condenseurs est généralement assurée par des entreprises distinctes de celles assurant la construction des colonnes de distillation et de mélange, des réservoirs de stockage de liquide cryogénique (de faible capacité pouvant aller jusqu'à une centaine de m3) et plus généralement des éléments de confinement de fluide cryogénique.The construction of vaporizers-condensers is generally carried out by companies separate from those ensuring the construction of distillation and mixing columns, cryogenic liquid storage tanks (of small capacity up to a hundred m 3 ) and more generally containments of cryogenic fluid.

De ce fait, le pré assemblage du paquet principal est tributaire de la livraison du vaporiseur-condenseur, ce qui conduit à des délais de préfabrication du paquet principal et donc de construction de l'installation relativement longs.Therefore, the pre-assembly of the main package is dependent on the delivery of the vaporizer-condenser, this which leads to delays in prefabrication of the package main and therefore construction of the installation relatively long.

US-A-2699043 divulgue une installation de séparation d'air comprenant une colonne moyenne pression surmontée d'un condenseur et, à côté, une colonne opérant à pression intermédiare surmontée de la partie supérieure d'une colonne basse pression. La partie inférieure de la colonne basse pression est disposée entre les deux ensembles et sa cuve se trouve à un niveau intermédiaire de la colonne moyenne pression.US-A-2699043 discloses an air separation installation comprising a medium pressure column surmounted by a condenser and, next to it, a column operating at intermediate pressure surmounted by the part top of a low pressure column. The lower part of the low pressure column is arranged between the two sets and its tank is located at an intermediate level of the medium pressure column.

L'invention a pour but de résoudre ce problème en fournissant une installation de distillation d'air fiable, économique et permettant d'assurer des délais de construction réduits.The invention aims to solve this problem by providing a reliable air distillation facility, economical and making it possible to ensure reduced construction.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une installation de distillation d'air selon la revendication 1.To this end, the subject of the invention is a air distillation installation according to claim 1.

Selon des modes particuliers de réalisation, l'installation peut comprendre l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes, prises isolément ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles :

  • l'élément de confinement de fluide cryogénique comprend une colonne de mélange ;
  • l'installation comprend des moyens d'envoi d'air vers la cuve de la colonne de mélange, des moyens d'envoi d'un fluide riche en oxygène vers la tête de la colonne de mélange et une conduite de production d'oxygène impur gazeux soutiré de la tête de la colonne de mélange ; et
  • l'élément de confinement de fluide cryogénique comprend un réservoir de stockage d'un fluide cryogénique, notamment d'oxygène liquide
  • l'élément de confinement de fluide est une colonne d'argon alimentée à partir de la colonne basse pression, une colonne opérant à une pression intermédiaire entre la basse .pression et la moyenne pression ou un échangeur de chaleur
  • la colonne basse pression et l'élément de confinement sont solidaires.
  • il n'y aucun moyen de distillation au-dessus de la colonne moyenne pression.
According to particular embodiments, the installation can include one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:
  • the cryogenic fluid confinement element comprises a mixing column;
  • the installation comprises means for sending air to the tank of the mixing column, means for sending an oxygen-rich fluid to the head of the mixing column and a pipe for producing impure oxygen gaseous withdrawn from the head of the mixing column; and
  • the cryogenic fluid confinement element comprises a reservoir for storing a cryogenic fluid, in particular liquid oxygen
  • the fluid confinement element is an argon column supplied from the low pressure column, a column operating at an intermediate pressure between the low pressure and the medium pressure or a heat exchanger
  • the low pressure column and the containment element are integral.
  • there is no means of distillation above the medium pressure column.

La colonne de pression intermédiaire peut être telle que décrite en EP-A-0538118 par exemple.The intermediate pressure column can be such as described in EP-A-0538118 for example.

L'échangeur de chaleur n'est pas le vaporiseur-condenseur qui permet l'échange de chaleur entre le liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression et un gaz calorigène.The heat exchanger is not the evaporator-condenser which allows the exchange of heat between the liquid low pressure column tank and circulating gas.

Si la colonne moyenne pression et la colonne basse pression font partie d'une double colonne classique, le liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression est chauffée par le gaz de tête de la colonne moyenne pression et des liquides enrichis en oxygène et en azote sont envoyés de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression.If the medium pressure column and the low column pressure are part of a classic double column, the low pressure column tank liquid is heated by the head gas of the medium pressure column and liquids enriched with oxygen and nitrogen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column.

De préférence la colonne basse pression et l'élément de confinement de fluide cryogénique sont solidaires l'une de l'autre.Preferably the low pressure column and the element containment of cryogenic fluid are integral one the other.

L'invention a également pour objet une installation selon les revendication 8.The subject of the invention is also an installation according to claim 8.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de montage d'un appareil de séparation selon la revendication 9. According to another object of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting a separation device according to claim 9.

En particulier le vaporiseur-condenseur peut permettre de condenser un gaz de la colonne moyenne pression par échange de chaleur avec un liquide de la colonne basse pression.In particular the vaporizer-condenser can allow to condense a gas from the medium pressure column by heat exchange with liquid from the lower column pressure.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figurè 1 est une vue schématique d'une installation selon l'invention, et
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique partielle des parties inférieures des boítes froides d'une variante de l'installation de la figure 1.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an installation according to the invention, and
  • Figure 2 is a partial schematic view of the lower parts of the cold boxes of a variant of the installation of Figure 1.

La figure 1 représente une installation 1 de distillation d'air qui comprend essentiellement :

  • une double colonne de distillation qui comporte une colonne moyenne pression 2, une colonne basse pression 3 et un vaporiseur-condenseur 4, par exemple du type à bain,
  • une colonne de mélange 5,
  • une ligne principale d'échange thermique 6,
  • deux échangeurs thermiques auxiliaires 7 et 8,
  • un compresseur principal d'air 9,
  • un appareil d'épuration d'air par adsorption 10,
  • un compresseur auxiliaire d'air 11 couplé à une turbine de détente d'air 12, et
  • une pompe 13.
FIG. 1 represents an air distillation installation 1 which essentially comprises:
  • a double distillation column which comprises a medium pressure column 2, a low pressure column 3 and a vaporizer-condenser 4, for example of the bath type,
  • a mixing column 5,
  • a main heat exchange line 6,
  • two auxiliary heat exchangers 7 and 8,
  • a main air compressor 9,
  • an air purification apparatus by adsorption 10,
  • an auxiliary air compressor 11 coupled to an air expansion turbine 12, and
  • a pump 13.

Le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 surmonte la colonne moyenne pression 2 pour former une première structure érigée 16 dont le sommet est constitué par le vaporiseur-condenseur 4. Cette structure 16 est entourée d'une enveloppe d'isolation thermique 17 (en trait mixte), qui maintient de la perlite non représentée autour de la structure 16, en formant une boíte froide portant la même référence numérique.The vaporizer-condenser 4 overcomes the middle column pressure 2 to form a first erected structure 16 of which the top is formed by the vaporizer-condenser 4. This structure 16 is surrounded by an insulation envelope thermal 17 (in phantom), which maintains perlite not shown around the structure 16, forming a cold box with the same reference number.

La colonne basse pression 3 est disposée au-dessus de la colonne de mélange 5 pour former une deuxième structure érigée 19 ou structure principale. Une jupe de liaison 20 relie les colonnes 3 et 5 en maintenant la tête de la colonne 5 espacée de la cuve de la colonne 3.The low pressure column 3 is arranged above the mixing column 5 to form a second structure erected 19 or main structure. A connecting skirt 20 connect columns 3 and 5 while maintaining the head of the column 5 spaced from the tank of column 3.

La deuxième structure 19 est entourée d'une enveloppe d'isolation thermique 21 (en trait mixte), qui maintient de la perlite non représentée autour de la structure 19, en formant une boíte froide portant la même référence numérique.The second structure 19 is surrounded by an envelope thermal insulation 21 (in phantom), which maintains perlite not shown around the structure 19, in forming a cold box with the same reference digital.

Sur la figure 1, les échangeurs thermiques 7 et 8 ont été positionnés de manière à faciliter la représentation, de sorte que la boíte froide 17 est de dimensions relatives, par rapport à la boíte froide 21, plus importantes que dans la réalité. Dans la réalité, ces échangeurs 7 et 8 sont placés de manière à optimiser la compacité de la boíte froide 17 qui les contient.In Figure 1, the heat exchangers 7 and 8 have have been positioned to facilitate the representation of so that the cold box 17 is of relative dimensions, compared to the cold box 21, more important than in reality. In reality, these exchangers 7 and 8 are placed so as to optimize the compactness of the box cold 17 that contains them.

Les deux structures 16 et 19 sont disposées l'une à côté de l'autre, la partie inférieure (en bas sur la figure 1) du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 étant disposée sensiblement à un niveau intermédiaire entre la tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2 et la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3.The two structures 16 and 19 are arranged one at side of the other, the lower part (bottom in the figure 1) of the vaporizer-condenser 4 being arranged substantially at an intermediate level between the head of the middle column pressure 2 and the low pressure column tank 3.

Le fonctionnement de cette installation 1, destinée à fournir de l'oxygène impur sous une moyenne pression, est le suivant.The operation of this installation 1, intended for supplying impure oxygen under medium pressure is the next.

L'air à distiller, préalablement comprimé par le compresseur 9 et épuré par l'appareil 10, est ensuite divisé en deux flux.The air to be distilled, previously compressed by the compressor 9 and purified by device 10, is then divided in two streams.

Un premier flux traverse la ligne principale d'échange thermique 6 en se refroidissant jusqu'au voisinage de son point de rosée.A first flow crosses the main exchange line thermal 6 by cooling down to the vicinity of its dew point.

Ensuite, ce premier flux est lui-même divisé en deux flux dont l'un est injecté en cuve de la colonne moyenne pression 2 et dont l'autre est injecté, après détente dans une vanne de détente 22, en cuve de la colonne de mélange 5. Then this first stream is itself divided into two flow, one of which is injected into the tank of the middle column pressure 2 and the other of which is injected, after expansion in an expansion valve 22, at the bottom of the mixing column 5.

Le deuxième flux d'air comprimé et épuré est comprimé par le compresseur 11, puis refroidi à une température intermédiaire en traversant partiellement la ligne principale d'échange thermique 6, et enfin détendu à la traversée de la turbine 12. Ce deuxième flux est ensuite introduit à un niveau intermédiaire supérieur de la colonne basse pression 3.The second stream of compressed and purified air is compressed by compressor 11, then cooled to a temperature intermediate by partially crossing the line main heat exchange 6, and finally relaxed to the crossing of the turbine 12. This second flow is then introduced at an upper intermediate level of the column low pressure 3.

Le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 vaporise de l'oxygène liquide, de pureté d'environ 98%, provenant de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3 par condensation d'azote de tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2. A cette fin, une conduite 24 envoie l'oxygène liquide de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3 vers le vaporiseur-condenseur 4, et une conduite 25 renvoie l'oxygène vaporisé depuis le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 vers la cuve de la colonne 3. La disposition d'une partie du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 à un niveau situé sous celui de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3 et au-dessus de celui de la tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2 permet la circulation, d'une part, d'oxygène liquide vers le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 et, d'autre part, d'azote de tête condensé vers la tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2, sous l'effet de la gravité, sans utiliser de pompe.The vaporizer-condenser 4 vaporizes oxygen liquid, about 98% purity, from the tank of the low pressure column 3 by condensing nitrogen at the top of the medium pressure column 2. To this end, a pipe 24 sends liquid oxygen from the bottom column tank pressure 3 to the vaporizer-condenser 4, and a line 25 returns the oxygen vaporized from the vaporizer-condenser 4 to the tank in column 3. The layout a part of the vaporizer-condenser 4 at a level located below that of the low pressure column tank 3 and above that of the head of the medium pressure column 2 allows the circulation, on the one hand, of liquid oxygen towards the vaporizer-condenser 4 and, on the other hand, top nitrogen condensed towards the head of the medium pressure column 2, under the effect of gravity, without using a pump.

D'une manière plus générale, la disposition d'au moins une partie du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 à un niveau intermédiaire entre la tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2 et la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3 permet de minimiser les moyens de pompage nécessaires à la circulation de ces liquides, quel que soit le type du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 utilisé, à savoir à bain, à ruissellement d'oxygène liquide (vaporiseur-condenseur dit à film) ...More generally, the provision of at least part of the vaporizer-condenser 4 at one level intermediate between the head of the medium pressure column 2 and the tank of the low pressure column 3 allows minimize the pumping means necessary for circulation of these liquids, regardless of the type of vaporizer-condenser 4 used, namely bath, runoff liquid oxygen (vaporizer-condenser called film) ...

Du " liquide riche " LR (air enrichi en oxygène), prélevé en cuve de la moyenne pression 2 est sous-refroidi à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 7, puis détendu dans une vanne de détente 26 et enfin injecté au niveau intermédiaire supérieur précité de la colonne basse pression 3.LR "rich liquid" (oxygen enriched air), taken from medium pressure tank 2 is sub-cooled to the passage of the auxiliary heat exchanger 7, then expanded in an expansion valve 26 and finally injected into the aforementioned upper intermediate level of the lower column pressure 3.

Du " liquide pauvre " LP (azote à peu près pur), prélevé en tête de la colonne moyenne pression 2, est sous-refroidi à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 7, puis détendu dans une vanne de détente 27 et enfin injecté au sommet de la colonne basse pression 3.LP "poor liquid" (almost pure nitrogen), taken from the head of the medium pressure column 2, is sub-cooled at the crossing of the auxiliary heat exchanger 7, then relaxed in an expansion valve 27 and finally injected at the top of the low pressure column 3.

De l'azote impur ou " résiduaire " NR, soutiré du sommet de la colonne basse pression 3, est réchauffé dans un premier temps à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 7, puis dans un deuxième temps à la traversée de la ligne principale d'échange thermique 6.Impure or "residual" NR nitrogen, withdrawn from top of the low pressure column 3, is heated in a first time crossing the heat exchanger auxiliary 7, then in a second step across the main heat exchange line 6.

Le fonctionnement de la colonne de mélange 5 va maintenant être décrit.The operation of the mixing column 5 will now be described.

Une colonne de mélange est une colonne qui a la même structure qu'une colonne de distillation mais qui est utilisée pour mélanger de façon proche de la réversibilité un gaz relativement volatil, introduit à sa base, et un liquide moins volatil introduit à son sommet. Un tel mélange produit de l'énergie frigorifique et permet donc de réduire la consommation d'énergie liée à la distillation. Une telle colonne est par exemple décrite dans le document FR-A-2 143 986. Dans le cas présent, ce mélange est mis à profit, en outre, pour produire directement de l'oxygène impur sous une pression légèrement inférieure à celle régnant dans la colonne moyenne pression 2.A mixing column is a column that has the same structure than a distillation column but that is used to mix close to reversibility a relatively volatile gas, introduced at its base, and a less volatile liquid introduced at the top. Such a mixture produces cooling energy and therefore reduces energy consumption related to distillation. Such a column is for example described in document FR-A-2 143 986. In the present case, this mixture is used, by addition, to directly produce impure oxygen under a pressure slightly lower than that prevailing in the medium pressure column 2.

Ainsi, de l'oxygène liquide, provenant de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3, est soutiré depuis le vaporiseur-condenseur 4, puis pompé par la pompe 13, et réchauffé à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 8. Cet oxygène liquide est ensuite introduit en tête de la colonne de mélange 5.Thus, liquid oxygen, coming from the tank of the low pressure column 3, is withdrawn from the vaporizer-condenser 4, then pumped by pump 13, and reheated on passing through the auxiliary heat exchanger 8. This liquid oxygen is then introduced at the head of the mixing column 5.

Un deuxième liquide riche en oxygène est prélevé en cuve de la colonne de mélange 5 puis sous-refroidi à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 8. Le deuxième liquide riche est enfin détendu dans une vanne de détente 29 avant d'être introduit à un niveau intermédiaire inférieur de la colonne basse pression 3.A second liquid rich in oxygen is taken in tank of mixing column 5 then sub-cooled to crossing of the auxiliary heat exchanger 8. The second rich liquid is finally expanded in an expansion valve 29 before being introduced at a lower intermediate level of the low pressure column 3.

De l'air enrichi en oxygène, sous forme liquide, est soutiré depuis un niveau intermédiaire de la colonne de mélange 5 puis sous-refroidi à la traversée de l'échangeur thermique auxiliaire 8. Ce liquide est enfin détendu dans une vanne de détente 30 avant d'être introduit au niveau intermédiaire supérieur précité de la colonne basse pression 3.Air enriched with oxygen, in liquid form, is withdrawn from an intermediate level of the column mixture 5 then sub-cooled on passing through the exchanger auxiliary thermal 8. This liquid is finally expanded in an expansion valve 30 before being introduced at the level above-mentioned upper intermediate of the low pressure column 3.

De l'oxygène gazeux impur, de pureté d'environ 95%, est prélevé en tête de la colonne de mélange puis réchauffé à la traversée de la ligne principale d'échange thermique 6 et distribué par une conduite de production 31.Impure oxygen gas, about 95% pure, is taken from the top of the mixing column and then reheated at the crossing of the main heat exchange line 6 and distributed through a production line 31.

En variante la colonne de mélange peut etre alimentée en tete par plusieurs débits liquides de composition différentes.Alternatively the mixing column can be fed at the head by several composition liquid flows different.

Les boítes froides 17 et 21 ont été préfabriquées en atelier puis transportées, érigées et raccordées fonctionnellement sur site, puis remplies de perlite pour former l'installation 1.The cold boxes 17 and 21 were prefabricated in workshop then transported, erected and connected functionally on site, then filled with perlite to train installation 1.

La préfabrication de la boíte froide principale 21 n'est pas tributaire de la fabrication du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 puisque ce dernier ne fait pas partie de la structure principale 19. De plus, pour construire la boíte froide 17, il suffit de disposer le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 au-dessus de la colonne moyenne pression 2.Prefabrication of the main cold box 21 is not dependent on the manufacture of the vaporizer-condenser 4 since the latter is not part of the main structure 19. In addition, to build the box cold 17, simply place the vaporizer-condenser 4 above the medium pressure column 2.

Ainsi, une entreprise fabriquant les colonnes 2, 3 et 5 peut construire en totalité la boíte froide 21 et pratiquement la boíte froide 17 en attendant la livraison du vaporiseur-condenseur 4. La construction de la boíte froide 17 peut être substantiellement avancée avant cette livraison, par exemple en assemblant la colonne moyenne pression 2, les parois latérales et le fond de l'enveloppe d'isolation thermique 17. Il ne reste alors qu'à monter le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 au-dessus de la colonne moyenne pression 2 et à terminer la construction de l'enveloppe 17.Thus, a company manufacturing columns 2, 3 and 5 can completely build the cold box 21 and practically cold box 17 pending delivery of vaporizer-condenser 4. The construction of the cold box 17 can be substantially advanced before this delivery, for example by assembling the middle column pressure 2, the side walls and the bottom of the envelope of thermal insulation 17. All that remains is to mount the vaporizer-condenser 4 above the middle column pressure 2 and to complete the construction of the envelope 17.

Ces dernières opérations peuvent éventuellement être assurées sur site, la boíte froide 17 ayant été transportée partiellement assemblée.These last operations can possibly be insured on site, the cold box 17 having been transported partially assembled.

L'invention permet donc d'atteindre les buts fixés en début de description en fournissant une installation fiable, économique et permettant d'assurer des délais de préfabrication et donc de construction plus réduits. Ce dernier avantage est dû à la possibilité de travailler en temps masqué, c'est-à-dire à la possibilité d'avancer substantiellement la construction des boítes froides pendant la construction du vaporiseur-condenseur 4.The invention therefore achieves the goals set by beginning of description by providing a reliable installation, economical and making it possible to ensure prefabrication and therefore more reduced construction. This last advantage is due to the possibility of working in masked time, i.e. the possibility of advancing substantially the construction of cold boxes during the construction of the vaporizer-condenser 4.

Selon des variantes, la deuxième structure 19 peut comprendre, à la place ou en sus de la colonne de mélange 5, un réservoir de stockage d'un liquide cryogénique, notamment d'oxygène liquide, une colonne dite Etienne à condenseur intermédiaire (décrite par exemple dans le document US-A-2 699 046) ou à condenseur de tete, un tronçon d'une colonne de production d'argon impur dite colonne de mixture, ou tout autre élément de confinement de fluide cryogénique disposé sous la colonne basse pression 3. Un tel élément de confinement de fluide cryogénique permet d'assurer un positionnement relatif de la colonne basse pression 3 et du vaporiseur-condenseur 4 autorisant la circulation d'oxygène liquide depuis la cuve de la colonne 3 vers le vaporiseur-condenseur 4 en minimisant l'utilisation de moyens de pompage.Ainsi la cuve de la colonne basse pression 3 peut se trouver substantiellement au meme niveau ou au dessus du vaporiseur-condenseur 4.According to variants, the second structure 19 can include, in place of or in addition to the mixing column 5, a cryogenic liquid storage tank, in particular liquid oxygen, a so-called Etienne condenser column intermediate (described for example in document US-A-2 699 046) or with head condenser, a section of a column for producing impure argon known as the mixing column, or any other cryogenic fluid containment element disposed under the low pressure column 3. Such an element of confinement of cryogenic fluid ensures a relative positioning of the low pressure column 3 and the vaporizer-condenser 4 allowing the circulation of oxygen liquid from the tank in column 3 to the evaporator-condenser 4 by minimizing the use of means of Thus the tank of the low pressure column 3 can be find substantially at the same level or above the vaporizer-condenser 4.

Ainsi, la figure 2 illustre une variante dans laquelle un réservoir 32 de stockage d'un fluide cryogénique est disposé sous la colonne de mélange 5 pour former la structure principale 19. Le fond du réservoir 32 est au même niveau que la cuve de la colonne moyenne pression 2.Thus, Figure 2 illustrates a variant in which a cryogenic fluid storage tank 32 is placed under the mixing column 5 to form the main structure 19. The bottom of the tank 32 is at the same level than the tank of the medium pressure column 2.

Le réservoir 32 est, par exemple, une capacité tampon de stockage d'oxygène liquide provenant de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 2.The tank 32 is, for example, a buffer capacity for storing liquid oxygen from the tank of the low pressure column 2.

Dans d'autres modes de réalisation non représentés, la colonne basse pression 3 est disposée sur une jupe de support pour former la deuxième structure érigée 19. Ces modes de réalisation s'appliquent, par exemple, aux installations de distillation d'air qui ne comportent qu'une double colonne de distillation d'air et pas de colonne de mélange.In other embodiments not shown, the low pressure column 3 is arranged on a skirt of support to form the second erected structure 19. These embodiments apply, for example, to air distillation plants which have only one double air distillation column and no mixed.

Dans les exemples, les double colonnes comprennent une colonne basse pression avec un seul vaporiseur-condenseur qui sert à condenser l'azote de la colonne moyenne pression par échange de chaleur avec le liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression. De toute évidence l'invention s'applique aussi au cas dans lequel l'azote de la colonne moyenne pression est condensé par échange de chaleur avec un liquide intermédiaire de la colonne basse pression, le liquide de cuve étant vaporisé par échange de chaleur avec de l'air, de l'azote comprimé ou un gaz de la colonne moyenne pression moins volatil que l'azote .Ici deux vaporiseur-condenseurs peuvent être utilisés.In the examples, the double columns include a low pressure column with a single vaporizer-condenser which is used to condense the nitrogen in the medium pressure column by heat exchange with the column tank liquid low pressure. Obviously the invention applies also in the case where the nitrogen in the middle column pressure is condensed by heat exchange with a liquid intermediate of the low pressure column, the tank being vaporized by heat exchange with air, compressed nitrogen or a medium pressure column gas less volatile than nitrogen. Here two vaporizer-condensers can be used.

Claims (9)

  1. Air distillation plant (1) of the type comprising a double distillation column which itself comprises a medium-pressure column (2), a low-pressure column (3), a condenser/reboiler (4) for bringing a calorigenic gas into heat exchange relationship with the liquid from the bottom of the low-pressure column, and a cryogenic fluid confinement element (5) other than the condenser/reboiler, the low-pressure column being beside the medium-pressure column, the bottom of the low-pressure column being above the bottom of the medium-pressure column and the condenser/reboiler (4) being placed above the medium-pressure column (2), the low-pressure column (3) being placed above this confinement element (5) and the bottom of the low-pressure column (3) lying at the same level as the top of the medium-pressure column (2) or above this level.
  2. Plant according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cryogenic fluid confinement element comprises a mixing column (5).
  3. Plant according to Claim 2, characterized in that the plant (1) comprises means for sending an oxygen-rich fluid into the top of the mixing column, means for sending fluid less rich in oxygen into the bottom of the mixing column and a line (31) for producing impure gaseous oxygen withdrawn from the top of the mixing column.
  4. Plant according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cryogenic fluid confinement element comprises a tank (32) for storing a cryogenic fluid, especially liquid oxygen.
  5. Plant according to Claim 1, in which the fluid confinement element is an argon column fed from the low-pressure column, a column operating at an intermediate pressure between the low pressure and the medium pressure or a heat exchanger.
  6. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which the low-pressure column and the confinement element are integral.
  7. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, in which there is no distillation means above the medium-pressure column (2).
  8. Plant according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising a first cold box (21) containing the cryogenic fluid confinement element surmounted by the low-pressure column (3, 5) but not the medium-pressure column surmounted by the condenser/reboiler (2, 4), which are surrounded by a jacket (21) for thermally insulating the plant, and a second cold box (17) containing the medium-pressure column surmounted by the condenser/reboiler, but not the cryogenic fluid confinement element surmounted by the low-pressure column, which are surrounded by a thermal insulation jacket (17).
  9. Process for mounting a separation apparatus comprising at least one medium-pressure column (2), a low-pressure column (3), a cryogenic fluid confinement element (5) surmounted by the low-pressure column, and a condenser/reboiler (4) for at least partially condensing a calorigenic gas by heat exchange with a liquid from the low-pressure column, in which process the low-pressure and medium-pressure columns are mounted, one beside the other, so that the bottom of the low-pressure column lies at the same level as the top of the medium-pressure column or above this level each column having its own cold box and once the medium-pressure and low-pressure columns have been mounted, the condenser/reboiler is mounted above the medium-pressure column and the construction of the cold box of the medium-pressure column is completed.
EP99915849A 1998-04-30 1999-04-27 Air distillation plant and corresponding cold box Expired - Lifetime EP1078212B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9805532A FR2778234B1 (en) 1998-04-30 1998-04-30 AIR DISTILLATION SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING COLD BOX
FR9805532 1998-04-30
PCT/FR1999/000997 WO1999057497A1 (en) 1998-04-30 1999-04-27 Air distillation plant and corresponding cold box

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EP1078212A1 EP1078212A1 (en) 2001-02-28
EP1078212B1 true EP1078212B1 (en) 2003-07-02

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US (1) US6167723B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1078212B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002513908A (en)
KR (1) KR100585247B1 (en)
AU (1) AU745671B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9910080B1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ302387B6 (en)
DE (1) DE69909288T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2778234B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999057497A1 (en)

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FR3114382A1 (en) 2020-09-21 2022-03-25 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation with three columns including two concentric columns

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EP1078212A1 (en) 2001-02-28
KR100585247B1 (en) 2006-06-01
WO1999057497A1 (en) 1999-11-11
KR20010043048A (en) 2001-05-25
FR2778234B1 (en) 2000-06-02
CZ302387B6 (en) 2011-04-27
DE69909288T2 (en) 2004-04-22
BR9910080A (en) 2000-12-26
DE69909288D1 (en) 2003-08-07
AU3428699A (en) 1999-11-23
JP2002513908A (en) 2002-05-14
US6167723B1 (en) 2001-01-02
BR9910080B1 (en) 2008-11-18
FR2778234A1 (en) 1999-11-05
CZ20004024A3 (en) 2001-05-16
AU745671B2 (en) 2002-03-28

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