EP2531794A1 - Method and appliance for separating air by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Method and appliance for separating air by cryogenic distillation

Info

Publication number
EP2531794A1
EP2531794A1 EP11707452A EP11707452A EP2531794A1 EP 2531794 A1 EP2531794 A1 EP 2531794A1 EP 11707452 A EP11707452 A EP 11707452A EP 11707452 A EP11707452 A EP 11707452A EP 2531794 A1 EP2531794 A1 EP 2531794A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vaporizer
condenser
cryogenic
compressor
column
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP11707452A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2531794B1 (en
Inventor
Benoît DAVIDIAN
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
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP2531794A1 publication Critical patent/EP2531794A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2531794B1 publication Critical patent/EP2531794B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—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
    • F25J3/04006—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
    • F25J3/04078—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
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04193—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions
    • F25J3/04206—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions including a so-called "auxiliary vaporiser" for vaporising and producing a gaseous 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04333—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
    • F25J3/04351—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 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
    • F25J3/04406—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
    • F25J3/04763—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
    • F25J3/04854—Safety aspects of operation
    • F25J3/0486—Safety aspects of operation of vaporisers for oxygen enriched liquids, e.g. purging of liquids
    • 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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/40—Features relating to the provision of boil-up in the bottom of a 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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
    • F25J2200/54—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/42—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream 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
    • F25J2250/04—Down-flowing type boiler-condenser, i.e. with evaporation of a falling liquid film
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/40—One fluid being air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/50—One fluid being oxygen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation. It is known to distill the air in a double column comprising a medium pressure column thermally connected to a low pressure column which overcomes it.
  • the thermal bond between the two columns can be obtained by using two vaporizers placed one above the other in the low pressure column.
  • the lowest vaporizer can be heated by means of a flow of nitrogen withdrawn from the medium pressure column and then compressed in a cold compressor and the upper vaporizer can be heated by a flow of medium pressure nitrogen taken from the medium pressure column. without having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer.
  • a cold compressor is a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, a cryogenic temperature being below -50 ° C.
  • the compressed nitrogen in the cold compressor must be condensed in the lower vaporizer of the low pressure column.
  • the cold compressed fluid therefore arrives relatively hot in the vaporizer, with a large ⁇ before starting to condense: this means that even if the vaporizer has a small temperature nip, ⁇ hot end is relatively important.
  • vaporizer-condenser If the vaporizer-condenser has malfunctions, including partial blockage or poor distribution, there is a high risk of dry vaporization locally, which affects the safety of the device due to the presence of impurities of the type CnHm with a fluid rich in oxygen. This is especially noticeable on a film evaporator-condenser.
  • FR-A-2930329 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • One of the aims of the invention is to avoid malfunctions of the vaporizer-condenser.
  • a circulating fluid for example medium pressure nitrogen
  • a circulating fluid for example medium pressure nitrogen
  • a part condensed fluid in the condenser vaporizer at the inlet of the vaporizer-condenser, to bring it back to its dew point, before being condensed.
  • a method of separating air in a column system by cryogenic distillation in which compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system to form a flow enriched with oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen in which at least one column of the column system contains a vaporizer-condenser for vaporizing an oxygen-enriched liquid with respect to the air by means of a heat exchange with a fluid calorigenic, the caloric fluid having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer-condenser in a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the calorigenic fluid being at least partially condensed in the vaporizer-condenser characterized in that a cryogenic liquid is added to the fluid calorigen upstream of the vaporizer-condenser.
  • cryogenic liquid is constituted by a portion of the heat transfer fluid after condensation in the vaporizer-condenser
  • the column system is a double or triple column, the circulating fluid is a nitrogen-enriched flow drawn from one of the columns operating at higher pressure and the reboiler is in another of the columns operating at lower pressure;
  • the vaporizer-condenser is a film vaporizer
  • cryogenic liquid is pressurized either by hydrostatic pressure or by a pump;
  • the cryogenic liquid contains at least 75 mol%. nitrogen, or even at least 90 mol%. nitrogen;
  • an apparatus for separating air in a column system by cryogenic distillation comprising: a) a column system
  • a vaporizer-condenser capable of vaporizing a liquid enriched in oxygen with respect to the air
  • At least one condensed fluid line connecting an outlet of the vaporizer-condenser to at least one column of the column system characterized in that it comprises a pipe, and possibly a pump, connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser and / or storage of cryogenic liquid at the outlet of the cryogenic compressor without going through the vaporizer-condenser.
  • the apparatus may include the following features:
  • the column system is a double or a triple column, one of the columns operating at lower pressure comprising the vaporizer-condenser tank vaporizer;
  • cryogenic compressor is connected to the head of one of the columns operating at higher pressure
  • means for pressurizing a cryogenic liquid adapted to pressurize a liquid flowing in the pipe connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser to the outlet of the cryogenic compressor.
  • the invention also includes an oxy-fuel combustion plant comprising an air separation apparatus as described above and an oxygen-supplied boiler produced by the air separation apparatus.
  • An air flow 1 is compressed in a compressor (not shown) to 4 bar and then divided into two; a part 3 of the air cools in an exchange line 9 and is sent to the medium pressure column 1 1 of a double column.
  • the double column comprises a medium pressure column 1 1 and a low pressure column 13 thermally connected to each other, the low pressure column overlying the medium pressure column.
  • the low pressure column 13 contains a tank vaporizer 15 and an intermediate vaporizer 17.
  • the intermediate vaporizer 17 is heated by means of a fraction 33 of a nitrogen flow 31 withdrawn from the medium pressure column at the pressure of the head of the medium pressure column.
  • Another fraction 37 of the nitrogen medium nitrogen pressure is compressed in a compressor 61 having a cryogenic inlet temperature.
  • the fraction is cooled at the outlet of this cold compressor 61 by direct contact with a cryogenic liquid 45, to be returned to its dew point, before being condensed.
  • the cryogenic liquid 45 preferably comprises a portion of the fluid that has just condensed in the vessel vaporizer 15.
  • the cryogenic liquid contains at least 70 mol%. nitrogen, or even at least 90 mol%. nitrogen.
  • the gas and the liquid 45 can be brought into contact directly in the pipework or in specific equipment, by means of injection nozzles, of physical contactors, the liquid 45 being compressed either by hydrostatic height or using a pump.
  • the remainder of the condensed liquid in the vessel vaporizer 15 is sent at the top of the low pressure column 13 to form reflux.
  • An oxygen-enriched liquid 49 and a nitrogen-enriched liquid 53 are sent from the medium-pressure column 11 to the low-pressure column 13.
  • a flow of liquid oxygen 19 is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column, pressurized to a low pressure of 1.5 to 4 bar by a pump 21 and then vaporized in a vaporizer 23 by heat exchange with the air.
  • a non-vaporized portion of the oxygen is withdrawn as purge 25.
  • the vessel vaporizer 15 is preferably a film.
  • a portion 39 of the medium pressure nitrogen is heated in the exchange line 9, is expanded in a turbine 41 and then again warms in the exchange line 9.
  • the invention applies to any compressed gas in a cold compressor, which must condense in a vaporizer where there is a risk of dry vaporization vis-à-vis oxygen in the presence of impurity type C n H m .
  • cryogenic liquid added upstream of the cold compressor comes from the column system but the liquid can come from an external source and can for example be taken from a storage of liquid or liquid liquids stored in a rocking system .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

In a method for separating air in a column (11, 13) system, by cryogenic distillation, compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system in order to form an oxygen-enriched flow and a nitrogen-enriched flow. At least one column (13) of the column system contains a vapouriser-condenser (15) for ensuring the vapourisation of a liquid enriched in oxygen in relation to the air by means of heat exchange with a calorigenic fluid (37), the calorigenic fluid having been compressed upstream of the vapouriser-condenser in a compressor (61) having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the calorigenic fluid being at least partially condensed in the vapouriser-condenser, and a cryogenic liquid (45) is added to the calorigenic fluid upstream of the vapouriser-condenser.

Description

Procédé et appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique  Method and apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation
La présente invention est relative aux procédés et aux appareils de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique. Il est connu de distiller l'air dans une double colonne comprenant une colonne moyenne pression reliée thermiquement avec une colonne basse pression qui la surmonte. The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation. It is known to distill the air in a double column comprising a medium pressure column thermally connected to a low pressure column which overcomes it.
Le lien thermique entre les deux colonnes peut être obtenu en utilisant deux vaporiseurs placés l'un au dessus de l'autre dans la colonne basse pression. Le vaporiseur le plus bas peut être chauffé au moyen d'une débit d'azote soutiré de la colonne moyenne pression puis comprimé dans un compresseur froid et le vaporiseur supérieur peut être chauffé par un débit d'azote moyenne pression pris dans la colonne moyenne pression sans avoir été comprimé en amont du vaporiseur.  The thermal bond between the two columns can be obtained by using two vaporizers placed one above the other in the low pressure column. The lowest vaporizer can be heated by means of a flow of nitrogen withdrawn from the medium pressure column and then compressed in a cold compressor and the upper vaporizer can be heated by a flow of medium pressure nitrogen taken from the medium pressure column. without having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer.
Un compresseur froid est un compresseur ayant une température d'entrée cryogénique, une température cryogénique étant inférieure à -50°C.  A cold compressor is a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, a cryogenic temperature being below -50 ° C.
L'azote comprimé dans le compresseur froid doit être condensé dans le vaporiseur inférieur de la colonne basse pression. Le fluide comprimé à froid arrive donc relativement chaud dans le vaporiseur, avec un ΔΤ important avant de commencer à se condenser : cela signifie que même si le vaporiseur a un pincement faible de température, le ΔΤ au bout chaud est relativement important.  The compressed nitrogen in the cold compressor must be condensed in the lower vaporizer of the low pressure column. The cold compressed fluid therefore arrives relatively hot in the vaporizer, with a large ΔΤ before starting to condense: this means that even if the vaporizer has a small temperature nip, ΔΤ hot end is relatively important.
Si le vaporiseur-condenseur a des disfonctionnements, notamment de bouchage partiel ou de mauvaise distribution, il y a un fort risque de vaporisation à sec localement, ce qui nuit à la sécurité de l'appareil du fait de la présence d'impuretés de type CnHm avec un fluide riche en oxygène. Cela est d'autant plus sensible sur un vaporiseur-condenseur à film.  If the vaporizer-condenser has malfunctions, including partial blockage or poor distribution, there is a high risk of dry vaporization locally, which affects the safety of the device due to the presence of impurities of the type CnHm with a fluid rich in oxygen. This is especially noticeable on a film evaporator-condenser.
FR-A-2930329 décrit un procédé selon le préambule de la revendication 1 .  FR-A-2930329 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.
U n des buts de l'invention est d'éviter des dysfonctionnements du vaporiseur-condenseur.  One of the aims of the invention is to avoid malfunctions of the vaporizer-condenser.
Selon l'invention, un fluide calorigène, par exemple de l'azote moyenne pression, est refroidi en sortie d'un compresseur froid, en injectant une partie du fluide condensé dans le vaporiseur condenseur à l'entrée du vaporiseur- condenseur, pour le ramener à son point de rosée, avant d'être condensé. Ceci permet d'annuler la surchauffe du fluide, et permet un usage facilité en termes de sécurité pour le vaporiseur, notamment à film. Ceci se fait sans pénalité énergétique notable. According to the invention, a circulating fluid, for example medium pressure nitrogen, is cooled at the outlet of a cold compressor, by injecting a part condensed fluid in the condenser vaporizer at the inlet of the vaporizer-condenser, to bring it back to its dew point, before being condensed. This makes it possible to cancel the overheating of the fluid, and makes it easier to use in terms of safety for the vaporizer, in particular film. This is done without significant energy penalty.
L'injection d'autres fluides cryogéniques peut remplacer ce fluide condensé.  The injection of other cryogenic fluids can replace this condensed fluid.
Selon un objet de l'invention, il est proposé un procédé de séparation d'air dans un système de colonnes par distillation cryogénique dans lequel de l'air comprimé, épuré et refroidi est séparé dans le système de colonnes pour former un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote dans lequel au moins une colonne du système de colonnes contient un vaporiseur-condenseur devant assurer la vaporisation d'un liquide enrichi en oxygène par rapport à l'air au moyen d'un échange de chaleur avec un fluide calorigène, le fluide calorigène ayant été comprimé en amont du vaporiseur-condenseur dans un compresseur ayant une température d'entrée cryogénique, le fluide calorigène étant au moins partiellement condensé dans le vaporiseur-condenseur caractérisé en ce qu'un liquide cryogénique est rajouté au fluide calorigène en amont du vaporiseur-condenseur.  According to an object of the invention, there is provided a method of separating air in a column system by cryogenic distillation in which compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system to form a flow enriched with oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen in which at least one column of the column system contains a vaporizer-condenser for vaporizing an oxygen-enriched liquid with respect to the air by means of a heat exchange with a fluid calorigenic, the caloric fluid having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer-condenser in a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the calorigenic fluid being at least partially condensed in the vaporizer-condenser characterized in that a cryogenic liquid is added to the fluid calorigen upstream of the vaporizer-condenser.
Selon d'autres caractéristiques facultatives :  According to other optional features:
le liquide cryogénique est constitué par une partie du fluide calorigène après sa condensation dans le vaporiseur-condenseur ;  the cryogenic liquid is constituted by a portion of the heat transfer fluid after condensation in the vaporizer-condenser;
le système de colonnes est une double ou une triple colonne, le fluide calorigène est un débit enrichi en azote soutiré d'une des colonnes fonctionnant à pression plus élevée et le rebouilleur est dans une autre des colonnes fonctionnant à pression plus basse ;  the column system is a double or triple column, the circulating fluid is a nitrogen-enriched flow drawn from one of the columns operating at higher pressure and the reboiler is in another of the columns operating at lower pressure;
le vaporiseur-condenseur est un vaporiseur à film ;  the vaporizer-condenser is a film vaporizer;
le liquide cryogénique est pressurisé soit par pression hydrostatique soit par une pompe ;  the cryogenic liquid is pressurized either by hydrostatic pressure or by a pump;
- le liquide cryogénique contient au moins 75% mol. d'azote, voire au moins 90% mol. d'azote ;  the cryogenic liquid contains at least 75 mol%. nitrogen, or even at least 90 mol%. nitrogen;
le liquide cryogénique est rajouté au fluide calorigène en aval du compresseur. Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil de séparation d'air dans un système de colonnes par distillation cryogénique comprenant : a) un système de colonnes the cryogenic liquid is added to the circulating fluid downstream of the compressor. According to another object of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for separating air in a column system by cryogenic distillation comprising: a) a column system
b) un vaporiseur-condenseur capable de vaporiser un liquide enrichi en oxygène par rapport à l'air  b) a vaporizer-condenser capable of vaporizing a liquid enriched in oxygen with respect to the air
c) un compresseur d'air  c) an air compressor
d) une conduite reliant le compresseur d'air avec le système de colonnes  d) a pipe connecting the air compressor with the column system
e) un compresseur cryogénique de fluide calorigène relié à une entrée du vaporiseur-condenseur  e) a cryogenic compressor of circulating fluid connected to an inlet of the vaporizer-condenser
f) au moins une conduite de fluide condensé reliant une sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur à au moins une colonne du système de colonnes caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une conduite, et éventuellement une pompe, reliant la sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur et/ou un stockage de liquide cryogénique à la sortie du compresseur cryogénique sans passer par le vaporiseur-condenseur.  f) at least one condensed fluid line connecting an outlet of the vaporizer-condenser to at least one column of the column system characterized in that it comprises a pipe, and possibly a pump, connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser and / or storage of cryogenic liquid at the outlet of the cryogenic compressor without going through the vaporizer-condenser.
L'appareil peut comprendre les caractéristiques suivantes :  The apparatus may include the following features:
le système de colonnes est une double ou une triple colonne, une des colonnes opérant à plus basse pression comprenant le vaporiseur- condenseur en vaporiseur de cuve ;  the column system is a double or a triple column, one of the columns operating at lower pressure comprising the vaporizer-condenser tank vaporizer;
le compresseur cryogénique est relié à la tête d'une des colonnes opérant à pression plus élevée ;  the cryogenic compressor is connected to the head of one of the columns operating at higher pressure;
des moyens pour pressuriser un liquide cryogénique adaptés à pressuriser un liquide circulant dans la conduite reliant la sortie du vaporiseur- condenseur à la sortie du compresseur cryogénique.  means for pressurizing a cryogenic liquid adapted to pressurize a liquid flowing in the pipe connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser to the outlet of the cryogenic compressor.
L'invention comprend également une installation d'oxycombustion comprenant un appareil de séparation d'air tel que décrit ci-dessus et une chaudière alimentée par l'oxygène produit par l'appareil de séparation d'air.  The invention also includes an oxy-fuel combustion plant comprising an air separation apparatus as described above and an oxygen-supplied boiler produced by the air separation apparatus.
L'invention sera décrite en plus de détail en se référant à la figure qui montre un procédé selon l'invention.  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figure which shows a method according to the invention.
Un débit d'air 1 est comprimé dans un compresseur (non-illustré) jusqu'à 4 bars puis divisé en deux ; une partie 3 de l'air se refroidit dans une ligne d'échange 9 et est envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 1 1 d'une double colonne. La double colonne comprend une colonne moyenne pression 1 1 et une colonne basse pression 13 reliées thermiquement entre elles, la colonne basse pression surmontant la colonne moyenne pression. An air flow 1 is compressed in a compressor (not shown) to 4 bar and then divided into two; a part 3 of the air cools in an exchange line 9 and is sent to the medium pressure column 1 1 of a double column. The double column comprises a medium pressure column 1 1 and a low pressure column 13 thermally connected to each other, the low pressure column overlying the medium pressure column.
Le reste 5 de l'air est surpressé dans un surpresseur 7, refroidi dans la ligne d'échange, condensé dans un vaporiseur produit 23 et puis envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 1 1 .  The remainder of the air is supercharged in a booster 7, cooled in the exchange line, condensed in a product vaporizer 23 and then sent to the medium pressure column 11.
La colonne basse pression 13 contient un vaporiseur de cuve 15 et un vaporiseur intermédiaire 17. Le vaporiseur intermédiaire 17 est chauffé au moyen d'une fraction 33 d'un débit d'azote 31 soutiré de la colonne moyenne pression à la pression de la tête de la colonne moyenne pression.  The low pressure column 13 contains a tank vaporizer 15 and an intermediate vaporizer 17. The intermediate vaporizer 17 is heated by means of a fraction 33 of a nitrogen flow 31 withdrawn from the medium pressure column at the pressure of the head of the medium pressure column.
Une autre fraction 37 de l'azote moyenne pression azote est comprimée dans un compresseur 61 ayant une température d'entrée cryogénique. La fraction est refroidie en sortie de ce compresseur froid 61 par contact direct avec un liquide cryogénique 45, pour être ramené à son point de rosée, avant d'être condensé. Le liquide cryogénique 45 préférentiellement comprend une partie du fluide qui vient de se condenser dans le vaporiseur de cuve 15. Le liquide cryogénique contient au moins 70% mol. d'azote, voire au moins 90% mol. d'azote. Ainsi une conduite ramène vers la sortie du compresseur froid une partie de l'azote condensé dans le vaporiseur de cuve.  Another fraction 37 of the nitrogen medium nitrogen pressure is compressed in a compressor 61 having a cryogenic inlet temperature. The fraction is cooled at the outlet of this cold compressor 61 by direct contact with a cryogenic liquid 45, to be returned to its dew point, before being condensed. The cryogenic liquid 45 preferably comprises a portion of the fluid that has just condensed in the vessel vaporizer 15. The cryogenic liquid contains at least 70 mol%. nitrogen, or even at least 90 mol%. nitrogen. Thus a pipe brings back to the outlet of the cold compressor part of the condensed nitrogen in the vessel vaporizer.
La mise en contact du gaz et du liquide 45 peut se faire directement dans la tuyauterie ou dans un équipement spécifique, à l'aide de buses d'injection, de contacteurs physiques, le liquide 45 étant comprimé soit par hauteur hydrostatique, soit à l'aide d'une pompe.  The gas and the liquid 45 can be brought into contact directly in the pipework or in specific equipment, by means of injection nozzles, of physical contactors, the liquid 45 being compressed either by hydrostatic height or using a pump.
Le reste du liquide condensé dans le vaporiseur de cuve 15 est envoyé en partie en tête de la colonne basse pression 13 pour former du reflux.  The remainder of the condensed liquid in the vessel vaporizer 15 is sent at the top of the low pressure column 13 to form reflux.
Un liquide enrichi en oxygène 49 et un liquide enrichi en azote 53 sont envoyés de la colonne moyenne pression 1 1 à la colonne basse pression 13 An oxygen-enriched liquid 49 and a nitrogen-enriched liquid 53 are sent from the medium-pressure column 11 to the low-pressure column 13.
Un débit d'oxygène liquide 19 est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression, pressurisé jusqu'à une basse pression de 1 ,5 à 4 bars par une pompe 21 et puis vaporisé dans un vaporiseur 23 par échange de chaleur avec l'air. Une partie non-vaporisée de l'oxygène est soutirée en tant que purge 25. A flow of liquid oxygen 19 is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column, pressurized to a low pressure of 1.5 to 4 bar by a pump 21 and then vaporized in a vaporizer 23 by heat exchange with the air. A non-vaporized portion of the oxygen is withdrawn as purge 25.
Le vaporiseur de cuve 15 est de préférence à film. Une partie 39 de l'azote moyenne pression se réchauffe dans la ligne d'échange 9, est détendue dans une turbine 41 puis de nouveau se réchauffe dans la ligne d'échange 9. The vessel vaporizer 15 is preferably a film. A portion 39 of the medium pressure nitrogen is heated in the exchange line 9, is expanded in a turbine 41 and then again warms in the exchange line 9.
L'invention s'applique à tout gaz comprimé dans un compresseur froid, qui doit se condenser dans un vaporiseur où il y a un risque de vaporisation à sec vis-à-vis d'oxygène en présence d'impureté de type CnHm. The invention applies to any compressed gas in a cold compressor, which must condense in a vaporizer where there is a risk of dry vaporization vis-à-vis oxygen in the presence of impurity type C n H m .
Dans l'exemple le liquide cryogénique rajouté en amont du compresseur froid vient du système de colonnes mais le liquide peut provenir d'une source extérieure et peut par exemple être pris dans un stockage de liquide de biberonnage ou de liquide stocké dans un système de bascule.  In the example, the cryogenic liquid added upstream of the cold compressor comes from the column system but the liquid can come from an external source and can for example be taken from a storage of liquid or liquid liquids stored in a rocking system .

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Procédé de séparation d'air dans un système de colonnes (1 1 , 13) par distillation cryogénique dans lequel de l'air comprimé, épuré et refroidi est séparé dans le système de colonnes pour former un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote dans lequel au moins une colonne (13) du système de colonnes contient un vaporiseur-condenseur (15) devant assurer la vaporisation d'un liquide enrichi en oxygène par rapport à l'air au moyen d'un échange de chaleur avec un fluide calorigène (37), le fluide calorigène ayant été comprimé en amont du vaporiseur-condenseur dans un compresseur (61 ) ayant une température d'entrée cryogénique, le fluide calorigène étant au moins partiellement condensé dans le vaporiseur-condenseur caractérisé en ce qu'un liquide cryogénique (45) est rajouté au fluide calorigène en amont du vaporiseur-condenseur. 1. A method of separating air in a column system (1 1, 13) by cryogenic distillation in which compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system to form an oxygen enriched flow and an enriched flow rate. nitrogen in which at least one column (13) of the column system contains a vaporizer-condenser (15) for vaporizing an oxygen-enriched liquid with respect to the air by means of a heat exchange with a fluid calorigen (37), the circulating fluid having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer-condenser in a compressor (61) having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the circulating fluid being at least partially condensed in the vaporizer-condenser characterized in that a cryogenic liquid (45) is added to the circulating fluid upstream of the vaporizer-condenser.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel le liquide cryogénique (45) est constitué par une partie du fluide calorigène après sa condensation dans le vaporiseur-condenseur (15). 2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the cryogenic liquid (45) is constituted by a portion of the caloric fluid after condensation in the vaporizer-condenser (15).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel le système de colonnes (1 1 , 13) est une double ou une triple colonne, le fluide calorigène est un débit enrichi en azote (37) soutiré d'une des colonnes (1 1 ) fonctionnant à pression plus élevée et le rebouilleur est dans une autre des colonnes fonctionnant à pression plus basse (13). 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the column system (1 1, 13) is a double or a triple column, the circulating fluid is a nitrogen-enriched flow (37) withdrawn from one of the columns (1 1 ) operating at higher pressure and the reboiler is in another of the columns operating at lower pressure (13).
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le vaporiseur-condenseur (1 1 ) est un vaporiseur à film. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the vaporizer-condenser (1 1) is a film vaporizer.
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le liquide cryogénique (45) est pressurisé soit par pression hydrostatique soit par une pompe. 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the cryogenic liquid (45) is pressurized either by hydrostatic pressure or by a pump.
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le liquide cryogénique est rajouté au fluide calorigène en aval du compresseur. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the cryogenic liquid is added to the circulating fluid downstream of the compressor.
7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le liquide cryogénique contient au moins 75% mol. d'azote, voire au moins 90% mol. d'azote 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the cryogenic liquid contains at least 75 mol%. nitrogen, or even at least 90 mol%. nitrogen
8. Appareil de séparation d'air dans un système de colonnes par distillation cryogénique comprenant : Apparatus for separating air in a column system by cryogenic distillation comprising:
a) un système de colonnes (1 1 , 13),  a) a system of columns (1 1, 13),
b) un vaporiseur-condenseur (15) capable de vaporiser un liquide enrichi en oxygène par rapport à l'air,  b) a vaporizer-condenser (15) capable of vaporizing an oxygen-enriched liquid with respect to the air,
c) un compresseur d'air,  c) an air compressor,
d) une conduite reliant le compresseur d'air avec le système de colonnes,  d) a line connecting the air compressor with the column system,
e) un compresseur cryogénique (61 ) de fluide calorigène relié à une entrée du vaporiseur-condenseur,  e) a cryogenic compressor (61) for circulating fluid connected to an inlet of the vaporizer-condenser,
f) au moins une conduite de fluide condensé (43, 53) reliant une sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur à au moins une colonne du système de colonnes caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une conduite (45), et éventuellement une pompe, reliant la sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur (15) et/ou un stockage de liquide cryogénique à la sortie du compresseur cryogénique sans passer par le vaporiseur-condenseur.  f) at least one condensed fluid line (43, 53) connecting an outlet of the vaporizer-condenser to at least one column of the column system characterized in that it comprises a pipe (45), and possibly a pump, connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser (15) and / or storage of cryogenic liquid at the outlet of the cryogenic compressor without passing through the vaporizer-condenser.
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8 dans lequel le système de colonnes est une double ou une triple colonne, une des colonnes opérant à plus basse pression (13) comprenant le vaporiseur-condenseur (15) en vaporiseur de cuve. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the column system is a double or a triple column, one of the columns operating at lower pressure (13) comprising the vaporizer-condenser (15) tank vaporizer.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 9 dans lequel le compresseur cryogénique (61 ) est relié à la tête d'une des colonnes (1 1 ) opérant à pression plus élevée. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the cryogenic compressor (61) is connected to the head of one of the columns (1 1) operating at higher pressure.
1 1 . Appareil selon l'une des revendications 8 à 10 comprenant des moyens pour pressuriser un liquide cryogénique adaptés à pressuriser un liquide circulant dans la conduite reliant la sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur (15) à la sortie du compresseur cryogénique (61 ). 1 1. Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 10 comprising means for pressurizing a cryogenic liquid adapted to pressurize a liquid flowing in the pipe connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser (15) to the output of the cryogenic compressor (61).
12. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 8 à 1 1 comprenant un stockage et une conduite reliant le stockage à un point en aval du compresseur cryogénique et en amont du vaporiseur-condenseur. 12. Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 1 1 comprising a storage and a pipe connecting the storage at a point downstream of the cryogenic compressor and upstream of the vaporizer-condenser.
13. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 8 à 12 comprenant une conduite reliant la sortie du vaporiseur-condenseur à la sortie du compresseur cryogénique sans passer par le vaporiseur-condenseur. 13. Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 12 comprising a pipe connecting the outlet of the vaporizer-condenser at the outlet of the cryogenic compressor without passing through the vaporizer-condenser.
14. Installation d'oxycombustion comprenant un appareil de séparation d'air selon l'une des revendications 8 à 13 et une chaudière alimentée par l'oxygène produit par l'appareil de séparation d'air. 14. Oxygen combustion plant comprising an air separation apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 13 and an oxygen-fed boiler produced by the air separation apparatus.
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