EP2591301B1 - Apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2591301B1
EP2591301B1 EP11728894.4A EP11728894A EP2591301B1 EP 2591301 B1 EP2591301 B1 EP 2591301B1 EP 11728894 A EP11728894 A EP 11728894A EP 2591301 B1 EP2591301 B1 EP 2591301B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
flow
storage tank
oxygen
vaporiser
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EP11728894.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2591301A2 (en
Inventor
Benoît DAVIDIAN
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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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Publication of EP2591301A2 publication Critical patent/EP2591301A2/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—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
    • 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
    • F25J3/0204—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 characterised by the feed 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
    • 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
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—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
    • F25J3/04824—Stopping of the process, e.g. defrosting or deriming; Back-up procedures
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/50—Oxygen or special cases, e.g. isotope-mixtures or low purity O2
    • F25J2215/54—Oxygen production with multiple pressure O2
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/50—One fluid being oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in accordance with the preambles of claims 5 and 1 respectively and known from the document.
  • WO-A-2010017968 .
  • a purge liquid is sent to a storage, and a part of the storage liquid is sent to an exchanger to be mixed with gaseous oxygen.
  • the storage is also supplied with liquid transported by a truck: it is therefore an injection of liquid oxygen with an external liquid supplement, thus making it possible to vaporize the purge with the heated gaseous oxygen.
  • a storage is fed by a purge flow coming from the bottom of the low pressure column and in the event of a reduction in the production of the column system, an emergency flow is withdrawn from the storage which is vaporized in an emergency vaporizer.
  • the purge can compensate for the evaporation losses in storage and the excess is vaporized in the emergency vaporization system (without recovery of the frigories in the cold box).
  • the emergency vaporizer has a function of vaporizing the overflow in the storage.
  • the transfer pump can also be the one which is used for the transfer of the production of liquid oxygen, if necessary.
  • the liquid oxygen storage is filled with "industrial merchant” grade oxygen which is therefore “pure” (99.5% mol.).
  • pure 99.5% mol.
  • a flow rich in oxygen, gaseous or liquid, contains at least 75 mol%. oxygen.
  • a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into three.
  • a flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 13 of a double column in gaseous form.
  • Another flow 5 after being boosted in the compressor A liquefies in the heat exchanger 3, is expanded in a valve 11 and sent to the medium pressure column 13.
  • a third flow B sent directly to the medium pressure column .
  • Streams enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner.
  • liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17.
  • a flow of liquid oxygen 19 containing less than 98% oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column 15 and pressurized by a pump 23 up to 2 bars, alternatively the compression can be hydrostatic.
  • Part of the oxygen at this pressure is sent to a vaporizer 24 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with part of the feed air (5 or B) which is then sent to the column.
  • This vaporized flow constitutes the gas production of the column system in normal operation and is produced at a nominal flow rate.
  • a purge flow 121 containing impurities is withdrawn from vaporizer 24 at all times, unless the column system is not operating. This flow is purer in oxygen than the flow 19. The vaporized oxygen continues to heat up in the exchanger 3 as the flow 27 of low pressure oxygen.
  • the rest of the oxygen is pressurized up to a pressure of 10 bars in a pump 25 and vaporizes in the exchanger 3 as flow rate 29.
  • all the oxygen can be vaporized down to the lower pressure and the flow rate. 29 does not exist.
  • a first pipe 39 connects the vaporizer 24 with the storage 31 to bring the purge liquid 121 there permanently or occasionally, unless the column system is not working.
  • the storage 31 supplies a standby vaporizer 37 with liquid oxygen 35.
  • the purge liquid can be supplied episodically, that is, the liquid is withdrawn from the vaporizer periodically, according to a cycle, in order to '' have quantities of liquid allowing a correct analysis.
  • the oxygen is vaporized in the emergency vaporizer 37 in large quantities, when the customer's needs are particularly high or when the air separation device is not operating at full capacity, in the event of a breakdown for example.
  • an oxygen-rich liquid flow rate constituting less than 2% of the nominal gaseous oxygen flow rate 19 and preferably approximately 1% of the nominal flow is sent to storage.
  • This liquid flow is sent to the emergency vaporizer only if the level in the storage exceeds a threshold, this threshold usually being that of the maximum capacity of storage 31.
  • this flow sent to the emergency vaporizer constitutes the overflow of storage 31.
  • the vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer.
  • the storage 31 is filled by sending the liquid 121 thereto.
  • the liquid in the storage comes from a tank truck 61 or from the apparatus itself through the flow 21, which can be diverted to the storage from time to time.
  • the liquid in the storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%.
  • the liquid 121 can be purer, as pure or less pure than the liquid from the tanker. 61.
  • a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into two.
  • a flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 15 of a double column in gaseous form.
  • Another flow 5 cools in the heat exchanger 3, and sent to the medium pressure column 13.
  • Streams enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner.
  • liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17.
  • a flow of gaseous oxygen 19 containing 98% oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column 15 and is heated in the tank. exchanger 3 as a flow 27 of low pressure oxygen before undergoing any compression.
  • a purge flow 21 containing impurities is withdrawn from the bottom of the column 15 continuously to prevent the accumulation of impurities in the bottom of the column. This liquid withdrawal is the only withdrawal oxygen-rich column system.
  • a first pipe connects the LP column vessel with the storage 31 in order to supply the purge liquid 21 there permanently (either continuously or in regular batches), unless the column system is not working.
  • the storage 31 supplies an emergency vaporizer 37 with liquid oxygen 35.
  • the oxygen is vaporized in the emergency vaporizer 37 in large quantities, when the customer's needs are particularly high or when the air separation device is not operating at full capacity, in the event of a breakdown for example.
  • an oxygen-rich liquid flow rate constituting less than 2% of the nominal gaseous oxygen flow rate 19 and preferably about 1% of the nominal flow is sent to storage.
  • This liquid flow is sent to the emergency vaporizer if the level in the storage exceeds a threshold, this threshold usually being that of the maximum capacity of the storage 31.
  • this flow sent to the emergency vaporizer constitutes the overflow of the storage 31.
  • L vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer
  • the storage 31 is filled by sending there the liquid 21. In normal operation therefore, the storage liquid is not sent to the storage.
  • emergency vaporizer if the maximum level is not reached. However, triggering the sending of storage to the emergency vaporizer may be necessary, in the event of a reduction in the production of the column system or an increase in customer needs.
  • the purge flow 21 has a molar oxygen purity greater than that of the flow 19.
  • liquid in the storage comes from a tank truck 61 or from the apparatus itself by a liquid flow withdrawn from time to time (not shown), which can be sent to the storage.
  • the liquid in storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%.
  • a pump may be needed to send the purge liquid 21 to storage.
  • the purge flow 21 can be purer, as pure or less pure than the liquid supplying the storage from the tanker 61 for example.
  • Liquid from storage 31 can be vaporized in a back-up vaporizer 37 and sent to a customer in the event of a distillation apparatus failure and / or if the output of the still is insufficient to supply the customer.
  • the main thing is to adjust the sending of very pure purge liquid (or possibly a mixture of very pure purge liquid and less pure accumulated liquids) so that the liquid sent to the emergency vaporizer has a purity above an acceptable threshold for the customer.

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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)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Description

La présente invention est relative à un appareil et à un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique conformément aux préambules des revendications 5 et 1 respectivement et connus du document WO-A-2010017968 .The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in accordance with the preambles of claims 5 and 1 respectively and known from the document. WO-A-2010017968 .

Dans ces appareils, il est nécessaire de prélever un débit de purge en permanence des vaporiseurs extérieurs servant à vaporiser de l'oxygène liquide à basse pression et/ou des vaporiseurs à l'intérieur des colonnes, pour éviter une accumulation potentiellement dangereuse d'impuretés. Ces débits de purge sont soutirés substantiellement en permanence par exemple de la cuve d'une colonne basse pression produisant seulement de l'oxygène gazeux soutiré directement de cette colonne, pour éviter l'accumulation des impuretés.In these devices, it is necessary to take a permanent purge flow from the external vaporizers used to vaporize liquid oxygen at low pressure and / or vaporizers inside the columns, to avoid a potentially dangerous accumulation of impurities. . These purge flows are withdrawn substantially permanently, for example from the bottom of a low pressure column producing only gaseous oxygen withdrawn directly from this column, to prevent the accumulation of impurities.

La purge des liquides cryogéniques de la boite froide sont en général envoyés vers un dispositif spécifique pour les vaporiser :

  • fosse à cailloux pour les très petites tailles de générateurs
  • enceinte atmosphérique qui recueille les liquides, qui vont ensuite se vaporiser lentement
  • évaporateur (utilisant un chauffage et une ventilation)
The purge of cryogenic liquids from the cold box are generally sent to a specific device to vaporize them:
  • stone pit for very small generator sizes
  • atmospheric chamber that collects liquids, which will then vaporize slowly
  • evaporator (using heating and ventilation)

Dans EP-A-0605262 , un liquide de purge est envoyé dans un stockage, et une partie de liquide du stockage est envoyé dans un échangeur pour être mélangé avec de l'oxygène gazeux. Le stockage est également alimenté par du liquide transporté par un camion : il s'agit donc d'une injection d'oxygène liquide avec un appoint de liquide extérieur, permettant ainsi de vaporiser la purge avec l'oxygène gazeux réchauffé.In EP-A-0605262 , a purge liquid is sent to a storage, and a part of the storage liquid is sent to an exchanger to be mixed with gaseous oxygen. The storage is also supplied with liquid transported by a truck: it is therefore an injection of liquid oxygen with an external liquid supplement, thus making it possible to vaporize the purge with the heated gaseous oxygen.

Dans EP-A-1202012 , on alimente un stockage par un débit de purge provenant de la cuve de la colonne basse pression et en cas de réduction de la production du système de colonnes, on soutire du stockage un débit de secours qui est vaporisé dans un vaporiseur de secours.In EP-A-1202012 , a storage is fed by a purge flow coming from the bottom of the low pressure column and in the event of a reduction in the production of the column system, an emergency flow is withdrawn from the storage which is vaporized in an emergency vaporizer.

Selon l'invention, la purge peut compenser les pertes d'évaporation dans le stockage et l'excès est vaporisé dans le système de la vaporisation de secours (sans récupération des frigories dans la boite froide).According to the invention, the purge can compensate for the evaporation losses in storage and the excess is vaporized in the emergency vaporization system (without recovery of the frigories in the cold box).

Selon l'invention, il est prévu d'envoyer un débit de purge vers un stockage d'oxygène liquide, éventuellement à l'aide d'une pompe en fonction de sa pression.According to the invention, provision is made to send a purge flow to a liquid oxygen storage, optionally using a pump according to its pressure.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé selon la revendication 1.According to an object of the invention, there is provided a method according to claim 1.

Selon d'autres objets facultatifs :

  • on envoie le débit de purge liquide riche en oxygène du vaporiseur dans le stockage en permanence ou épisodiquement, en dehors de périodes d'arrêt et de démarrage du système de colonnes.
  • lors d'un arrêt du système de colonne, le débit de purge n'est pas envoyé au stockage
  • lors d'un arrêt du système de colonnes, on remplit le stockage au moyen de liquide provenant d'une cuve d'au moins une colonne du système de colonnes.
  • l'envoi de liquide du stockage vers le vaporiseur de secours est toujours déclenché si le seuil dans le stockage est dépassé
  • si le seuil dans le stockage n'est pas atteint, l'envoi de liquide du stockage vers le vaporiseur de secours est uniquement déclenché en cas d'augmentation des besoins du client ou en cas de réduction de production du système de colonnes.
According to other optional objects:
  • the flow of oxygen-rich liquid purge from the vaporizer is sent into storage permanently or occasionally, outside of periods of shutdown and start-up of the column system.
  • when the column system is shut down, the purge flow is not sent to storage
  • upon shutdown of the column system, the storage is filled with liquid from a vessel of at least one column of the column system.
  • the sending of liquid from the storage to the emergency vaporizer is always triggered if the threshold in the storage is exceeded
  • if the threshold in the storage is not reached, the flow of liquid from the storage to the standby vaporizer is only triggered in the event of an increase in customer needs or in the event of a reduction in production of the column system.

Ainsi le vaporiseur de secours a une fonction de vaporisation du trop-plein dans le stockage.Thus the emergency vaporizer has a function of vaporizing the overflow in the storage.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil selon la revendication 5.According to another object of the invention, there is provided an apparatus according to claim 5.

Selon d'autres objets facultatifs :

  • l'appareil ne comprend pas de moyen de vaporisation de liquide de purge à part le vaporiseur de secours.
  • des moyens pour alimenter le stockage par un liquide d'une source extérieure.
  • des moyens pour envoyer un liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression au stockage.
  • des moyens pour envoyer un liquide de cuve de la colonne moyenne pression au stockage.
According to other optional objects:
  • the apparatus does not include any means for vaporizing purge liquid other than the emergency vaporizer.
  • means for supplying the storage with a liquid from an external source.
  • means for sending a bottom liquid from the low pressure column to storage.
  • means for sending a bottom liquid from the medium pressure column to storage.

On notera que la pompe de transfert peut être aussi celle qui est utilisée pour le transfert de la production d'oxygène liquide, le cas échéant.It will be noted that the transfer pump can also be the one which is used for the transfer of the production of liquid oxygen, if necessary.

Le stockage d'oxygène liquide est rempli avec de l'oxygène de qualité « industriel marchand » qui est donc « pur » (99.5% mol.). Pour alimenter le client lorsque l'appareil de séparation d'air ne fonctionne pas, il est prévu de vaporiser du liquide provenant de ce stockage dans un vaporiseur de secours. L'envoi d'un liquide de purge avec une pureté moyenne inférieure à celle du liquide du stockage va réduire légèrement la pureté de liquide contenu dans le stockage, qui sera néanmoins à une teneur moyenne supérieure à la demande client.The liquid oxygen storage is filled with "industrial merchant" grade oxygen which is therefore "pure" (99.5% mol.). To supply the customer when the air separation device is not working, it is planned to vaporize liquid from this storage in an emergency vaporizer. Sending a purge liquid with an average purity lower than that of the storage liquid will slightly reduce the purity of the liquid contained in the storage, which will nevertheless be at an average level higher than the customer demand.

Un débit riche en oxygène, gazeux ou liquide, contient au moins 75% mol. d'oxygène.A flow rich in oxygen, gaseous or liquid, contains at least 75 mol%. oxygen.

L'invention sera décrite en plus de détail en se référant aux figures qui illustrent des appareils selon l'invention.The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures which illustrate apparatuses according to the invention.

Dans la Figure 1, un débit d'air comprimé et épuré 1 est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur 3 et divisé en trois. Un débit 7 est soutiré de l'échangeur à un niveau intermédiaire, détendu dans une turbine 9 et envoyé à une colonne basse pression 13 d'une double colonne sous forme gazeuse. Un autre débit 5, après avoir été surpressé dans le compresseur A se liquéfie dans l'échangeur de chaleur 3, est détendu dans une vanne 11 et envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 13. Un troisième débit B en envoyé directement dans la colonne moyenne pression.In the Figure 1 , a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into three. A flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 13 of a double column in gaseous form. Another flow 5, after being boosted in the compressor A liquefies in the heat exchanger 3, is expanded in a valve 11 and sent to the medium pressure column 13. A third flow B sent directly to the medium pressure column .

Des débits enrichis en azote et en oxygène sont envoyés de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression de manière connue. En cuve de la colonne basse pression 15, l'oxygène liquide s'accumule autour du rebouilleur 17. Un débit d'oxygène liquide 19 contenant moins de 98% d'oxygène est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 15 et pressurisé par une pompe 23 jusqu'à 2 bars, alternativement la compression peut être hydrostatique. Une partie de l'oxygène à cette pression est envoyée à un vaporiseur 24 où elle se vaporise par échange de chaleur avec une partie de l'air d'alimentation (5 ou B) qui est ensuite envoyé à la colonne. Ce débit vaporisé constitue la production gazeuse du système de colonnes en fonctionnement normal et est produit avec un débit nominal.Streams enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner. At the bottom of the low pressure column 15, liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17. A flow of liquid oxygen 19 containing less than 98% oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column 15 and pressurized by a pump 23 up to 2 bars, alternatively the compression can be hydrostatic. Part of the oxygen at this pressure is sent to a vaporizer 24 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with part of the feed air (5 or B) which is then sent to the column. This vaporized flow constitutes the gas production of the column system in normal operation and is produced at a nominal flow rate.

Un débit de purge 121 contenant des impuretés est soutiré du vaporiseur 24 en permanence, sauf si le système de colonnes ne fonctionne pas. Ce débit est plus pur en oxygène que le débit 19. L'oxygène vaporisé poursuit son réchauffement dans l'échangeur 3 comme débit 27 d'oxygène basse pression.A purge flow 121 containing impurities is withdrawn from vaporizer 24 at all times, unless the column system is not operating. This flow is purer in oxygen than the flow 19. The vaporized oxygen continues to heat up in the exchanger 3 as the flow 27 of low pressure oxygen.

Le reste de l'oxygène est pressurisé jusqu'à une pression de 10 bars dans une pompe 25 et se vaporise dans l'échangeur 3 comme débit 29. Alternativement tout l'oxygène peut être vaporisé jusqu'à la pression plus basse et le débit 29 n'existe pas.The rest of the oxygen is pressurized up to a pressure of 10 bars in a pump 25 and vaporizes in the exchanger 3 as flow rate 29. Alternatively all the oxygen can be vaporized down to the lower pressure and the flow rate. 29 does not exist.

Une première conduite 39 relie le vaporiseur 24 avec le stockage 31 pour y amener le liquide de purge 121 en permanence ou épisodiquement, sauf si le système de colonnes ne fonctionne pas. Le stockage 31 alimente un vaporiseur de secours 37 avec de l'oxygène liquide 35. L'envoi de liquide de purge peut être épisodique, c'est-à-dire que le liquide est soutiré du vaporiseur périodiquement, selon un cycle, afin d'avoir des quantités de liquide permettant une analyse correcte.A first pipe 39 connects the vaporizer 24 with the storage 31 to bring the purge liquid 121 there permanently or occasionally, unless the column system is not working. The storage 31 supplies a standby vaporizer 37 with liquid oxygen 35. The purge liquid can be supplied episodically, that is, the liquid is withdrawn from the vaporizer periodically, according to a cycle, in order to '' have quantities of liquid allowing a correct analysis.

L'oxygène est vaporisé dans le vaporiseur de secours 37 en grande quantité, quand les besoins du client sont particulièrement élevés ou quand l'appareil de séparation d'air ne fonctionne pas à plein régime, en cas de panne par exemple.The oxygen is vaporized in the emergency vaporizer 37 in large quantities, when the customer's needs are particularly high or when the air separation device is not operating at full capacity, in the event of a breakdown for example.

Par contre pendant les périodes où les besoins du client ne sont pas particulièrement élevés et l'appareil de séparation d'air fonctionne normalement, un débit liquide riche en oxygène constituant moins de 2% du débit nominal d'oxygène gazeux 19 et de préférence environ 1% du débit nominal est envoyé vers le stockage. Ce débit liquide est envoyé au vaporiseur de secours uniquement si le niveau dans le stockage dépasse un seuil, ce seuil étant ordinairement celui de la capacité maximale du stockage 31. Ainsi ce débit envoyé au vaporiseur de secours constitue le trop-plein du stockage 31. L'oxygène vaporisé est envoyé au client.On the other hand, during periods when the customer's needs are not particularly high and the air separation apparatus is operating normally, an oxygen-rich liquid flow rate constituting less than 2% of the nominal gaseous oxygen flow rate 19 and preferably approximately 1% of the nominal flow is sent to storage. This liquid flow is sent to the emergency vaporizer only if the level in the storage exceeds a threshold, this threshold usually being that of the maximum capacity of storage 31. Thus this flow sent to the emergency vaporizer constitutes the overflow of storage 31. The vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer.

Ceci permet de récupérer les molécules de la purge dans le liquide 121, et donc de réduire la production totale de l'appareil (gain d'énergie de 1% à 2% environ maximum.)This makes it possible to recover the molecules from the purge in the liquid 121, and therefore to reduce the total production of the device (energy saving of 1% to 2% maximum.)

Si le niveau du stockage 31 est en dessous du seuil, en particulier quand le stockage n'est pas plein, on remplit le stockage 31 en y envoyant le liquide 121.If the level of the storage 31 is below the threshold, in particular when the storage is not full, the storage 31 is filled by sending the liquid 121 thereto.

La plupart du liquide dans le stockage provient d'un camion-citerne 61 ou de l'appareil lui-même par le débit 21, qui peut être détourné vers le stockage ponctuellement. Le liquide dans le stockage provenant du camion a une pureté de 99,5% mol. Le liquide 121 peut être plus pur, aussi pur ou moins pur que le liquide provenant du camion-citerne.61.Most of the liquid in the storage comes from a tank truck 61 or from the apparatus itself through the flow 21, which can be diverted to the storage from time to time. The liquid in the storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%. The liquid 121 can be purer, as pure or less pure than the liquid from the tanker. 61.

L'envoi de ce liquide pur 121 au stockage 31 par la conduite 33 ne risque pas de perturber la pureté du liquide dans le stockage.Sending this pure liquid 121 to storage 31 via line 33 does not risk disturbing the purity of the liquid in storage.

Par contre, il peut être envisagé d'envoyer également au stockage en cas d'arrêt de la colonne, les liquides accumulés en cuve de la colonne basse pression et/ou moyenne pression dans les conduites 21 et 51. Ces liquides auront évidemment une pureté inférieure à celle du liquide provenant du camion 61 ou celle du liquide 121. Dans certains cas, le client peut supporter à court terme une réduction de pureté du liquide vaporisé dans le vaporiseur de secours. Une vanne 41 permet de régler les débits de ces liquides accumulés envoyés via la ligne 33 au stockage 31.On the other hand, it can be envisaged to also send to storage in the event of stoppage of the column, the liquids accumulated in the bottom of the low pressure column and / or medium pressure in the conduits 21 and 51. These liquids will obviously have a purity. less than that of the liquid coming from the truck 61 or that of the liquid 121. In some cases, the customer can bear in the short term a reduction in purity of the liquid vaporized in the standby vaporizer. A valve 41 makes it possible to adjust the flow rates of these accumulated liquids sent via line 33 to storage 31.

Dans la Figure 2, un débit d'air comprimé et épuré 1 est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur 3 et divisé en deux. Un débit 7 est soutiré de l'échangeur à un niveau intermédiaire, détendu dans une turbine 9 et envoyé à une colonne basse pression 15 d'une double colonne sous forme gazeuse. Un autre débit 5 se refroidit dans l'échangeur de chaleur 3, et envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 13.In the Figure 2 , a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into two. A flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 15 of a double column in gaseous form. Another flow 5 cools in the heat exchanger 3, and sent to the medium pressure column 13.

Des débits enrichis en azote et en oxygène sont envoyés de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression de manière connue. En cuve de la colonne basse pression 15, l'oxygène liquide s'accumule autour du rebouilleur 17. Un débit d'oxygène gazeux 19 contenant 98% d'oxygène est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 15 et se réchauffe dans l'échangeur 3 comme débit 27 d'oxygène basse pression avant de subir une éventuelle compression. Un débit de purge 21 contenant des impuretés est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne 15 en permanence pour éviter l'accumulation d'impuretés en cuve de colonne. Ce soutirage liquide constitue le seul soutirage riche en oxygène du système de colonne. Une première conduite relie la cuve de colonne BP avec le stockage 31 pour y amener le liquide de purge 21 en permanence (soit en continu, soit par batch réguliers), sauf si le système de colonnes ne fonctionne pas. Le stockage 31 alimente un vaporiseur de secours 37 avec de l'oxygène liquide 35.Streams enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner. At the bottom of the low pressure column 15, liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17. A flow of gaseous oxygen 19 containing 98% oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column 15 and is heated in the tank. exchanger 3 as a flow 27 of low pressure oxygen before undergoing any compression. A purge flow 21 containing impurities is withdrawn from the bottom of the column 15 continuously to prevent the accumulation of impurities in the bottom of the column. This liquid withdrawal is the only withdrawal oxygen-rich column system. A first pipe connects the LP column vessel with the storage 31 in order to supply the purge liquid 21 there permanently (either continuously or in regular batches), unless the column system is not working. The storage 31 supplies an emergency vaporizer 37 with liquid oxygen 35.

L'oxygène est vaporisé dans le vaporiseur de secours 37 en grande quantité, quand les besoins du client sont particulièrement élevés ou quand l'appareil de séparation d'air ne fonctionne pas à plein régime, en cas de panne par exemple.The oxygen is vaporized in the emergency vaporizer 37 in large quantities, when the customer's needs are particularly high or when the air separation device is not operating at full capacity, in the event of a breakdown for example.

Par contre, pendant les périodes où les besoins du client ne sont pas particulièrement élevés et l'appareil de séparation d'air fonctionne normalement, un débit liquide riche en oxygène constituant moins de 2% du débit nominal d'oxygène gazeux 19 et de préférence environ 1% du débit nominal est envoyé vers le stockage. Ce débit liquide est envoyé au vaporiseur de secours si le niveau dans le stockage dépasse un seuil, ce seuil étant ordinairement celui de la capacité maximale du stockage 31. Ainsi ce débit envoyé au vaporiseur de secours constitue le trop-plein du stockage 31. L'oxygène vaporisé est envoyé au clientOn the other hand, during periods when the customer's needs are not particularly high and the air separation apparatus is operating normally, an oxygen-rich liquid flow rate constituting less than 2% of the nominal gaseous oxygen flow rate 19 and preferably about 1% of the nominal flow is sent to storage. This liquid flow is sent to the emergency vaporizer if the level in the storage exceeds a threshold, this threshold usually being that of the maximum capacity of the storage 31. Thus this flow sent to the emergency vaporizer constitutes the overflow of the storage 31. L vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer

Ceci permet de récupérer les molécules de la purge dans le liquide 21, et donc de réduire la production totale de l'appareil (gain d'énergie de 1% à 2% environ maximum).This makes it possible to recover the molecules from the purge in the liquid 21, and therefore to reduce the total production of the device (energy saving of approximately 1% to 2% maximum).

Si le niveau du stockage 31 est en dessous du seuil, en particulier quand le stockage n'est pas plein, on remplit le stockage 31 en y envoyant le liquide 21. En fonctionnement normal donc, le liquide du stockage n'est pas envoyé au vaporiseur de secours, si le niveau maximal n'est pas atteint. Or le déclenchement de l'envoi du stockage vers le vaporiseur de secours peut être nécessaire, en cas de réduction de production du système de colonnes ou augmentation des besoins du client.If the level of the storage 31 is below the threshold, in particular when the storage is not full, the storage 31 is filled by sending there the liquid 21. In normal operation therefore, the storage liquid is not sent to the storage. emergency vaporizer, if the maximum level is not reached. However, triggering the sending of storage to the emergency vaporizer may be necessary, in the event of a reduction in the production of the column system or an increase in customer needs.

Le débit de purge 21 a une pureté molaire en oxygène supérieure à celle du débit 19.The purge flow 21 has a molar oxygen purity greater than that of the flow 19.

La plupart du liquide dans le stockage provient d'un camion-citerne 61 ou de l'appareil lui-même par un débit liquide soutiré ponctuellement (non-illustré), qui peut être envoyé vers le stockage. Le liquide dans le stockage provenant du camion a une pureté de 99,5% mol. Une pompe sera peut-être nécessaire pour envoyer le liquide de purge 21 vers le stockage.Most of the liquid in the storage comes from a tank truck 61 or from the apparatus itself by a liquid flow withdrawn from time to time (not shown), which can be sent to the storage. The liquid in storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%. A pump may be needed to send the purge liquid 21 to storage.

Le débit de purge 21 peut être plus pur, aussi pur ou moins pur que le liquide alimentant le stockage provenant du camion-citerne 61 par exemple.The purge flow 21 can be purer, as pure or less pure than the liquid supplying the storage from the tanker 61 for example.

Le liquide du stockage 31 peut être vaporisé dans un vaporiseur de secours 37 et envoyé à un client en cas de panne de l'appareil de distillation et/ou si la production de l'appareil de distillation est insuffisante pour fournir le client.Liquid from storage 31 can be vaporized in a back-up vaporizer 37 and sent to a customer in the event of a distillation apparatus failure and / or if the output of the still is insufficient to supply the customer.

Pour le cas où le système de colonnes s'arrêterait, il peut être envisagé d'envoyer également au stockage 31 des liquides accumulés dans les cuves de colonnes lors de l'arrêt. Dans le cas de la Figure 2, il s'agit d'une colonne basse pression et d'une colonne moyenne pression mais il sera aisément compris que l'invention s'applique au cas où les liquides accumulés envoyés au stockage peuvent provenir d'une colonne argon, une colonne à pression intermédiaire ou une colonne de mélange. Ce soutirage d'un liquide accumulé en cours d'arrêt d'une colonne argon, une colonne à pression intermédiaire ou une colonne de mélange s'applique également au cas de la Figure 1.In the event that the column system stops, it can be envisaged to also send to storage 31 the liquids accumulated in the column tanks during the shutdown. In the case of Figure 2 , it is a low pressure column and a medium pressure column but it will be easily understood that the invention applies to the case where the accumulated liquids sent to storage can come from an argon column, a column with intermediate pressure or a mixing column. This withdrawal of an accumulated liquid during shutdown of an argon column, an intermediate pressure column or a mixing column also applies to the case of Figure 1 .

Dans le cas où ces liquides impurs sont envoyés des cuves de colonnes jusqu'au stockage pendant l'arrêt d'une colonne, il est nécessaire parfois de régler l'envoi de liquide dans le stockage en fonction du niveau de liquide dans le stockage. Un tel réglage n'est pas nécessaire pour le cas où les liquides envoyés au stockage sont uniquement des liquides de purge permanents très purs.In the case where these impure liquids are sent from the column vessels to the storage during the shutdown of a column, it is sometimes necessary to adjust the delivery of liquid to the storage according to the level of liquid in the storage. Such an adjustment is not necessary in the case where the liquids sent to storage are only very pure permanent purge liquids.

L'essentiel est de régler l'envoi de liquide de purge très purs (ou éventuellement d'un mélange de liquide de purge très purs et liquides accumulés moins pur) de sorte que le liquide envoyé au vaporiseur de secours ait une pureté au-dessus d'un seuil acceptable pour le client.The main thing is to adjust the sending of very pure purge liquid (or possibly a mixture of very pure purge liquid and less pure accumulated liquids) so that the liquid sent to the emergency vaporizer has a purity above an acceptable threshold for the customer.

Claims (9)

  1. Method for separating air by cryogenic distillation to supply a gaseous product, optionally under pressure, wherein
    a) cooled, purified and compressed air is sent into a column system comprising a medium-pressure column (13) and a low-pressure column (15),
    b) a flow of oxygen-rich liquid (19) having a nominal flow rate is drawn off from the low-pressure column and is vaporised in a main vaporiser (24) to form a gaseous product, and a flow of oxygen-rich liquid venting (121) constituting no more than 2% of the nominal production flow of oxygen-rich flow is drawn off from the main vaporiser,
    c) the flow of oxygen-rich liquid venting (121) is sent into a storage tank (31), characterised in that
    d) if the level of liquid in the storage tank exceeds a threshold corresponding to the maximum capacity of the storage tank, a liquid flow is drawn off from the storage tank constituting no more than 2% of the nominal production flow of the oxygen-rich flow and is sent to a backup vaporiser to constitute part of the gaseous product, and
    e) if the level of liquid in the storage tank is below the threshold, the flow of liquid venting is sent to the storage tank but liquid is not sent from the storage tank to the backup vaporiser except in the case of reduction in production of the column system or an increase in the requirement of a customer for the gaseous product.
  2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen-rich liquid venting flow from the main vaporiser (24) is sent into the storage tank continuously or episodically, outside periods of stoppage and starting of the column system.
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, during a stoppage of the column system, the venting flow is not sent to the storage tank.
  4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, during a stoppage of the column system, the storage tank (31) is filled by means of liquid coming from a vessel of at least one column (13, 15) in the column system.
  5. Apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a column system comprising a medium-pressure column (13) and a low-pressure column (15), a storage tank (31), a main vaporiser (24), means for drawing off, from the low-pressure column, a flow of oxygen-rich liquid (19) having a nominal flow rate and sending it to the main vaporiser, means for drawing off a gaseous product formed by vaporisation of the liquid flow, means for drawing off a flow of oxygen-rich liquid venting (121) constituting no more than 2% of the nominal production flow of the oxygen-rich flow from the main vaporiser (24), and means for sending the oxygen-rich liquid venting flow (121) to the storage tank (31), characterised in that the apparatus comprises a backup vaporiser (37) and detection and control means for detecting the level of liquid in the storage tank and for triggering, only if the level exceeds a threshold corresponding to the maximum capacity of the storage tank, the drawing off of a liquid flow from the storage tank constituting no more than 2% of the nominal production flow of the oxygen-rich flow, and the sending of this flow to the backup vaporiser to constitute part of the gaseous product, these detection and control means being able to detect whether the level of liquid in the storage tank is below the threshold and, in this case, to trigger the sending of the liquid venting flow to the storage tank and the preventing of the sending of the liquid from the storage tank to the backup vaporiser except in the event of reduction in production of the column system or an increase in the requirement of a customer for the gaseous product.
  6. Apparatus according to claim 5 not comprising any venting liquid vaporisation means apart from the backup vaporiser (37).
  7. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 or 6, comprising means for supplying the storage tank (31) with a liquid from an external source.
  8. Apparatus according to one of claims 5, 6 or 7, comprising means for sending a vessel liquid from the low-pressure column (15) to the storage tank (31).
  9. Apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 8, comprising means for sending a vessel liquid from the medium-pressure column to the storage tank (31).
EP11728894.4A 2010-07-05 2011-07-05 Apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation Active EP2591301B1 (en)

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FR1055421 2010-07-05
FR1055423 2010-07-05
PCT/EP2011/061279 WO2012004242A2 (en) 2010-07-05 2011-07-05 Apparatus and process for separating air by cryogenic distillation

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EP2591301B1 true EP2591301B1 (en) 2020-09-02

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EP2986924B1 (en) * 2013-04-18 2017-07-12 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Retrofit device for the cryogenic separation of air, retrofit installation and method for retrofitting a low-temperature air separator facility
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US9581386B2 (en) 2017-02-28
CN103282733A (en) 2013-09-04
WO2012004241A2 (en) 2012-01-12
US20130098106A1 (en) 2013-04-25
WO2012004241A3 (en) 2013-11-28
EP2591300A2 (en) 2013-05-15
CN103282732A (en) 2013-09-04
WO2012004242A2 (en) 2012-01-12
CN103282732B (en) 2016-08-03
WO2012004242A3 (en) 2013-11-28
ES2820436T3 (en) 2021-04-21
CN103282733B (en) 2015-11-25
US20130133364A1 (en) 2013-05-30
EP2591301A2 (en) 2013-05-15

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