EP1972875A1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1972875A1
EP1972875A1 EP07300895A EP07300895A EP1972875A1 EP 1972875 A1 EP1972875 A1 EP 1972875A1 EP 07300895 A EP07300895 A EP 07300895A EP 07300895 A EP07300895 A EP 07300895A EP 1972875 A1 EP1972875 A1 EP 1972875A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compressor
column
heat exchanger
air
pressure
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.)
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Application number
EP07300895A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Tranier
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.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Priority to EP07300895A priority Critical patent/EP1972875A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2008/052571 priority patent/WO2008116727A2/en
Publication of EP1972875A1 publication Critical patent/EP1972875A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/0406—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04066—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of 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
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    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04072—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of argon or argon enriched stream
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • 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
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    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/04084—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of nitrogen
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/04096—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of argon or argon enriched stream
    • 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
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    • 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
    • F25J3/04278—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using external refrigeration units, e.g. closed mechanical or regenerative refrigeration units
    • 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
    • F25J3/04248—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
    • F25J3/04248—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
    • F25J3/04309—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 nitrogen
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    • 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
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    • 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
    • F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04369—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of argon or argon enriched stream
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    • 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
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    • F25J3/04721—Producing pure argon, e.g. recovered from a crude argon column
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
    • F25J3/04793—Rectification, e.g. columns; Reboiler-condenser
    • F25J3/048—Argon recovery
    • 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
    • F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
    • F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
    • F25J3/04836—Variable air feed, i.e. "load" or product demand during specified periods, e.g. during periods with high respectively low power costs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/02—Mixing or blending of fluids to yield a certain product
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/08—Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler
    • 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
    • F25J2240/44—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 nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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
    • F25J2240/46—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 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
    • F25J2245/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being argon or crude argon
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/42—One fluid being nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/58—One fluid being argon or crude argon
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/02—Internal refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/12—External refrigeration with liquid vaporising loop
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/66—Closed external refrigeration cycle with multi component refrigerant [MCR], e.g. mixture of hydrocarbons

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation. It relates in particular to processes and apparatus for producing oxygen and/or nitrogen at elevated pressure.
  • Gaseous oxygen produced by air separation plants are usually at elevated pressure about 20 to 50 bar.
  • the basic distillation scheme is usually a double column process producing oxygen at the bottom of the low-pressure column operated at 1.4 to 4 bar.
  • the oxygen must be compressed to higher pressure either by oxygen compressor or by the liquid pumping process. Because of the safety issues associated with the oxygen compressors, most recent oxygen plants are based on the liquid pumping process. In order to vaporize liquid oxygen at elevated pressure there is a need for an additional motor-driven booster compressor to raise a portion of the feed air or nitrogen to higher pressure in the range of 40-80 bars. In essence, the booster replaces the oxygen compressor.
  • One of the goals in the development of new process cycles is to decrease the power consumption of an oxygen plant.
  • FIG. 1 An illustration of this prior art is presented in Figure 1 .
  • a double column 2 is used, comprising a high pressure column 8 and a low pressure column 9, thermally connected by a reboiler/condenser 10. All the feed air is compressed in compressor 6 to the pressure of the high pressure column 8, purified in purification unit 7 and divided into three.
  • One stream 502 is sent to a booster compressor 503, cooled in a water cooler (not represented) and further cooled in the heat exchanger 5 and then expanded in a turbine 501, coupled to the booster compressor 503.
  • the expanded air 502 is sent to the low pressure column.
  • Another part of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 5 at substantially the same pressure as the high pressure column 8.
  • the third stream is compressed in a compressor 230 and sent to the heat exchanger where it condenses.
  • the liquefied air is divided between the high pressure column 8 and the low pressure column 9.
  • An oxygen enriched liquid stream LR is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
  • Nitrogen enriched liquid stream LP is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
  • Pure liquid nitrogen NLMP is produced from high-pressure column, further cooled in heat exchanger 24 and expanded in valve 143 and sent to a storage 144.
  • High-pressure gaseous nitrogen 39 is removed from the top of the high-pressure column and warmed in the heat exchanger to form a product stream 40.
  • Liquid oxygen OL is removed from the bottom of the low pressure column 9, pressurized by a pump 37 and sent in part as stream 38 to the heat exchanger 5 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with the pressurized air to form gaseous pressurized oxygen.
  • the rest of the liquid oxygen 52 is removed as a liquid product.
  • a top nitrogen enriched gaseous stream NR is removed from the low-pressure column 9, warmed in the heat exchanger 5 as stream 33.
  • Argon is produced using impure argon column 3 and pure argon 4.
  • the impure argon column is fed by stream 16 from the low pressure column 9.
  • a liquid stream 17 is sent from the base of the impure argon column 3 to the low pressure column 9. Rich liquid is sent to the top condenser 12 of the column 3 via valve 26 and is evaporated to form stream 27 which is returned to the low pressure column.
  • a product stream 19 is sent to condenser 20 and thence forms stream 19.
  • Stream 19 is condensed in heat exchanger 20 and divided into stream 48 which is sent to the waste stream 33 at intersection point 50 and a further stream. The further stream is sent via valve 21 to the column 4.
  • the pure argon column 4 produces a product stream 45.
  • the top condenser 13 of the pure argon column 4 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP from the high pressure column via valve 34 and the vaporized nitrogen is removed via valve 35 as stream 33 and cooled in subcooler 24.
  • the bottom reboiler 14 of the pure argon column is heated using air and the liquefied air 23 is sent to the high pressure column.
  • a purge stream 46 is also removed.
  • the condenser 20 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP via valve 31 and the vaporized liquid is sent via valve 32 to the waste stream 33.
  • a cold compression process as described in US-A-5,475,980 provides a technique to drive the oxygen plant with a single air compressor.
  • air to be distilled is chilled in the main exchanger then further compressed by a booster compressor driven by an expander exhausting into the high-pressure column of a double column process.
  • the discharge pressure of the air compressor is in the range of 15 bar which is also quite advantageous for the purification unit.
  • One inconvenience of this approach is the increase of the size of the main exchanger due to additional flow recycling which is typical for the cold compression plant.
  • US-A-5901576 describes several arrangements of cold compression schemes utilizing the expansion of vaporized rich liquid of the bottom of the high-pressure column, or the expansion of high-pressure nitrogen to drive the cold compressor. In some cases, motor driven cold compressors were also used. These processes also operate with feed air at about the high-pressure column's pressure and in most cases a booster compressor is also needed.
  • US-A-6,626,008 describes a heat pump cycle utilizing a cold compressor to improve the distillation process for the production of low purity oxygen for a double vaporizer oxygen process. Low air pressure and a booster compressor are also typical for this kind of process.
  • a process for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a column system comprising a high pressure column and a low pressure column comprising the steps of:
  • the process comprises:
  • the auxiliary fluid may be oxygen rich, nitrogen rich or argon rich.
  • the argon rich auxiliary fluid may be derived from an argon purification column fed from the column system.
  • an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a column system comprising a high pressure column and a low pressure column further comprising:
  • a double column 2 comprising a high pressure column 8 and a low pressure column 9, thermally connected by a reboiler/condenser 10. All the feed air is compressed in compressor 6 to the pressure of the high pressure column 8, purified in purification unit 7 and divided into three.
  • One stream 502 is sent to a booster compressor 503, cooled in a water cooler (not represented) and then further cooled in the heat exchanger 5 and then expanded in a turbine 501, coupled to the booster compressor 503.
  • the expanded air 502 is sent to the low pressure column.
  • Another part 507 of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 5 at substantially the same pressure as the high pressure column 8.
  • the third stream 505 is compressed in a compressor 230 and sent to the heat exchanger where it condenses.
  • the liquefied air is divided between the high pressure column 8 and the low pressure column 9.
  • An oxygen enriched liquid stream LR is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
  • Nitrogen enriched liquid stream LP is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
  • Pure liquid nitrogen NLMP is produced from the high pressure column 8, further cooled in heat exchanger 24 and expanded in valve 143 and sent to storage 144.
  • High-pressure gaseous nitrogen 39 is removed from the top of the high-pressure column and warmed in the heat exchanger to form a product stream 40.
  • Liquid oxygen OL is removed from the bottom of the low pressure column 9, pressurized by a pump 37 and sent in part as stream 38 to the heat exchanger 5 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with the pressurized air to form gaseous pressurized oxygen.
  • the rest of the liquid oxygen 52 is removed as a liquid product.
  • a top nitrogen enriched gaseous stream NR is removed from the low-pressure column 9, warmed in the heat exchanger 5 as stream 33.
  • Argon is produced using impure argon column 3 and pure argon 4.
  • the impure argon column is fed by stream 16 from the low pressure column 9.
  • a liquid stream 17 is sent from the base of the impure argon column 3 to the low pressure column 9. Rich liquid is sent to the top condenser 12 of the column 3 via valve 26 and is evaporated to form stream 27 which is returned to the low pressure column.
  • a product stream 19 is sent to condenser 20 and thence forms stream 19.
  • Stream 19 is condensed in heat exchanger 20 and divided into stream 48 which is sent to the waste stream 33 at intersection point 50 and a further stream. The further stream is sent via valve 21 to the column 4.
  • the pure argon column 4 produces a product stream 45.
  • the top condenser 13 of the pure argon column 4 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP from the high pressure column via valve 34 and the vaporized nitrogen is removed via valve 35 as stream 33 and cooled in subcooler 24.
  • the bottom reboiler 14 of the pure argon column is heated using air and the liquefied air 23 is sent to the high pressure column.
  • a purge stream 46 is also removed.
  • Nitrogen rich liquid 43 is collected via valve 143 in storage 144.
  • the condenser 20 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP via valve 31 and the vaporized liquid is sent via valve 32 to the waste stream 33.
  • An auxiliary fluid mixture of argon (80%) and oxygen (20%) is introduced in heat exchanger 5 where it is vaporized and slightly warmed after vaporization to yield a cold auxiliary gaseous stream 107 .
  • the proportions of argon and oxygen are variable and the mixture may also include other components.
  • This vaporization occurs in heat exchanger 5 at a temperature around -143°C, as can be seen in Figure 4 , which is lower than the oxygen vaporization temperature of around - 126°C.
  • At least a portion of this cold auxiliary stream 107 is sent to a cold brake compressor 108 at subambient temperature T1 to be compressed to raise its pressure (stream 109).
  • Temperature T1 is preferably above and most preferably slightly above the oxygen vaporization temperature which is in this case around - 126°C.
  • Stream 109 is then sent back to the exchanger 5 at temperature T2 which is greater than T1 and cooled in exchanger 5 to condense to form a liquefied auxiliary stream (stream 10), which is expanded in a valve 116 to form stream 107.
  • This condensation occurs at a temperature slightly above the oxygen vaporization temperature. In this case, this condensation is at a temperature around -124°C.
  • a phase separator could be added if the expanded stream is a two-phase fluid, the liquid phase being introduced in heat exchanger 5 and the vapor phase mixed with stream 107.
  • condensing covers condensation from a vapor to a liquid or partially liquid state. It also covers the pseudo-condensation of a supercritical fluid when cooled from a temperature above the supercritical temperature to a temperature below the supercritical temperature.
  • Figure 4 shows the exchange diagram corresponding to the process of Figure 3 .
  • FIG. 5 A variant of this process is shown in Figure 5 : part of the air from compressor 230 is removed at an intermediate temperature from the exchanger 5 and sent to expander 121.
  • the expanded air stream is at the pressure of the high pressure column 8 and is sent thereto mixed with air stream 507.
  • the expander 121 is coupled to a cold compressor 108.
  • the cold compressor 108 is fed by a vaporized liquid argon stream.
  • the liquid argon 105 is derived from the production of column 4 and is vaporized in exchanger 5 to form stream 107.
  • the compressed stream 109 is sent to the exchanger 5 and may be either cooled to be recycled in the cold compressor cycle or warmed and removed as a product or waste stream 120.
  • an argon stream 119 may be removed as part of the vaporized stream 105 which is not sent to the cold compressor 108. If it were chosen to use a mixture of oxygen and argon as auxiliary stream, fluid 105 could be extracted from column 3. In case of a mixture of nitrogen and argon, fluid 105 could be extracted from an intermediate location of column 4.
  • FIG. 6 A variant of Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6 where the air turbine 121 is replaced by a high pressure nitrogen turbine 121 fed by part of the stream 39 of high pressure nitrogen removed from the top of column 8. Another variant of this process (not illustrated) is to replace the air turbine 121 by a low pressure air turbine expanding part of the air delivered by compressor 6 to the low pressure column.
  • the cold compressor 108 is fed by vaporized liquid oxygen.
  • the liquid oxygen is pumped in pump 37 to form a liquid product 52 and a liquid stream 38 sent to the exchanger 5 wherein it vaporizes.
  • a further part of the liquid oxygen is expanded in valve 116 and sent to the exchanger 5 to form vaporized stream 107.
  • Stream 107 is compressed in compressor 108 and sent as stream 109 to mix with vaporized stream 38.
  • the process may be modified to vaporize pumped liquid nitrogen as an additional stream or as a stream replacing the pumped oxygen stream.
  • part of the pumped nitrogen stream could be expanded in the valve and compressed in the cold compressor 108 before being mixed with the principal vaporized nitrogen stream.
  • some of the low pressure nitrogen may be expanded in an expander 18.
EP07300895A 2007-03-23 2007-03-23 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft Withdrawn EP1972875A1 (de)

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PCT/EP2008/052571 WO2008116727A2 (en) 2007-03-23 2008-03-03 Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation

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FR3010511A1 (fr) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-13 Air Liquide Procede et appareil de separation d'un melange gazeux a temperature subambiante
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US11806639B2 (en) 2019-09-19 2023-11-07 ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion
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