EP2741036A1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Luft durch kryogene Destillation - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Luft durch kryogene Destillation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2741036A1
EP2741036A1 EP12306527.8A EP12306527A EP2741036A1 EP 2741036 A1 EP2741036 A1 EP 2741036A1 EP 12306527 A EP12306527 A EP 12306527A EP 2741036 A1 EP2741036 A1 EP 2741036A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
nitrogen
turboexpander
rich gas
heat exchanger
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12306527.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bao Ha
Jean-Renaud Brugerolle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Priority to EP12306527.8A priority Critical patent/EP2741036A1/de
Publication of EP2741036A1 publication Critical patent/EP2741036A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—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 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
    • F25J3/04—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
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04309—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
    • F25J3/04315—Lowest pressure or impure nitrogen, so-called waste nitrogen expansion
    • 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
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04387—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using liquid or hydraulic turbine expansion
    • 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
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04393—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using multiple or multistage gas work expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04436—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using at least a triple pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04448—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using at least a triple pressure main column system in a double column flowsheet with an intermediate pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/20—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in an elevated pressure multiple column system wherein the lowest pressure column is at a pressure well above the minimum pressure needed to overcome pressure drop to reject the products to atmosphere
    • 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
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/02—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/42—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
    • F25J2240/10—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream the fluid being air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/12—Particular process parameters like pressure, temperature, ratios

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation.
  • the Integrated Gasifier Combined Cycle is usually selected to generate clean energy from coal. This clean energy production technique is especially suited for new coal-based power generation projects specified to operate efficiently and with minimal pollution to the environment.
  • the air separation unit ASU for the IGCC is a combination of an oxygen plant and a nitrogen generator plant.
  • the air separation process frequently used for this type of application is the "elevated pressure" process ie with a low pressure operating at at least 2 bars abs, preferably at least 3 bars abs.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an air separation unit with reduced energy consumption but which is capable of producing nitrogen and oxygen with a nitrogen/oxygen ratio of 3.6 or less, preferably less than 2.9.
  • the nitrogen/oxygen ratio is defined as the total of nitrogen flow divided by the total of oxygen flow.
  • a process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation in which air is purified, cooled in a heat exchanger and separated in a column system including at least a first column, a second column and a third column, the first column operating at a higher pressure than the second column, the second column operating at at least 2 bars abs, preferably at at least 4 bars abs, the third column operating at a pressure intermediate to the pressures of first and second columns and the top of the first column being thermally linked to the bottom of the second column via a first reboiler-condenser, oxygen enriched liquid is removed from the first column and sent to the third column, oxygen enriched liquid from the bottom of the third column is sent to the second column, nitrogen enriched liquid from the top of the third column is sent to the second column, nitrogen enriched liquid is removed from the first column and sent to the second column, oxygen rich liquid is removed from the second column, pressurized and vaporized in the heat exchanger to form an oxygen rich gas, nitrogen rich fluid is
  • an apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprising column system including at least a first column, a second column and a third column, the first column operating at a higher pressure than the second column" the third column operating at a pressure between that of the first column and that of the second column, the second column operating at least 2 bars abs and the top of the first column being thermally linked to the bottom of the second column via a first reboiler-condenser, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a turboexpander, purification means for purifying air, means for sending purified air to the heat exchanger to be cooled, means for sending cooled purified air to the first column, a conduit for sending an oxygen enriched liquid from the first column to the third column, a conduit for sending oxygen enriched liquid from the bottom of the third column to the second column , a conduit for sending nitrogen enriched liquid from the top of the third column to the second column, a conduit for removing nitrogen enriched liquid from the first
  • the apparatus may comprise:
  • FIG. 1 a cryogenic air separation process using a standard double column equipped with an intermediate column 300, having a first column 100 operating at between 12 and 17 bars abs and a second column 200 operating at between 4 and 6 bars abs, the first column operating at a higher pressure than the second column and being placed below the second column.
  • the top of the first column 11 is thermally linked to the bottom of the second column 15 by means of a vaporizer-condenser 70.
  • the intermediate column 300 operates at a pressure between the pressures of columns 100 and 200.
  • an air stream 1 of 1000 Nm 3 /h at 15.8 bars (ie compressed to the operating pressure of the first column 100) is divided into two parts.
  • One part 4 is cooled in heat exchanger 400 and sent in gaseous form to the first column 100.
  • the other part 2 (400 Nm 3 /h) is boosted to a higher pressure of 44 bars abs by booster compressor 94 and sent to the heat exchanger 400.
  • One part 3 of the boosted air at 44 bars abs is cooled to an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger 400, removed from the heat exchanger, compressed in cold compressor 93, cooled and expanded and sent as a liquid stream to column 100.
  • the other part 12 is further boosted in booster 95, cooled in the heat exchanger 400, to an intermediate temperature thereof, expanded in turboexpander 92 as stream 15 and sent to the first column 100 after expansion in gaseous form.
  • the inlet temperature of the cold compressor 93 is warmer than the inlet temperature of turboexpanders 91, 92.
  • Oxygen enriched liquid 10 from the bottom of the first column 100 is expanded in a valve and sent to a third column 300 operating at a pressure between the pressure of the first column and the pressure of the second column 200.
  • the oxygen enriched liquid is separated in the third column forming a bottom liquid further enriched in oxygen 31. Part of this liquid is sent as stream 34 to the top condenser 72 of the third column 300 after expansion in a valve.
  • the vaporized liquid 36 is then sent to the second column 200.
  • the rest 35 is expanded in a valve and sent to the second column 200.
  • An intermediate liquid stream 20 is removed from the first column 100, expanded and sent to the second column 200.
  • Nitrogen enriched liquid 40 from the top of the first column is expanded in a valve and sent to the top of the second column 200.
  • Nitrogen enriched gas from the top of the first column is used to heat bottom reboiler 71 of the third column 300.
  • the liquid produced is sent in part back to the top of the first column 100 and in part as part of stream 40 to the top of the second column.
  • Nitrogen enriched liquid 44 from the top of the third column 300 is expanded and sent to the top of the second column 200.
  • the column system produces a high pressure gaseous oxygen stream 51 by removing liquid oxygen 30 containing at least 80% mol oxygen (in this example 210 Nm 3 /h oxygen at 95% mol oxygen) from the bottom of second column 200, pressurizing it via pump 90 and vaporizing the pumped liquid in exchanger 400. This produces a stream at 67 bars abs.
  • the column system produces a gaseous nitrogen stream 50 at 15.35 bars abs by removing gaseous nitrogen 42 from the top of column 100 and warming it in exchanger 400.
  • Nitrogen rich gas 60 from the top of the second column 200 is warmed in a heat exchanger (not shown) to yield stream 26, a portion 27 is expanded in turboexpander 99 to low pressure close to atmospheric pressure to yield stream 28, which can be partially liquefied, then sent to phase separator 97.
  • the remaining portion 24 of stream 26 is warmed in exchanger 400,to an intermediate temperature and sent as stream 23 to a cold compressor 96, which compresses the nitrogen rich gas to higher pressure as stream 22.
  • the compressed nitrogen rich gas is removed as nitrogen product 53 at about 5 bars abs.
  • the vapor stream 62 from separator 97 is warmed in exchanger 400 and exits the process as a waste or vented low pressure nitrogen 52.
  • the liquid fraction 29 (if it exists) can be pumped by pump 98 and sent to the top of column 200 as additional reflux.
  • the energy generated by expander 99 can be used to drive the compressor 96.
  • Stream 51 may be sent to a gasifier.
  • the ratio between the amount of nitrogen rich gas produced (total of 50 and 53) and the amount of oxygen rich gas 51 produced is less than 3, less than 2.5, or even less than 2,
  • the combination of the turboexpander 99 for expansion of the excess nitrogen and the cold nitrogen compressor allows the produced nitrogen pressure to be increased. This can reduce the number of nitrogen compressor stages required if the product nitrogen is to be compressed to a higher pressure.
  • By adjusting the expanded flow in expander 99 the flow and pressure of the nitrogen product portion 53 can be adapted to satisfy the required nitrogen/oxygen ratio.
  • the process efficiency can be maintained by recovering the energy of the expander 99 to drive the compressor 96 to increase the product pressure of stream 53.
  • Either the cold nitrogen compressor 96 or the cold air compressor 93 must be present, but not necessarily both.
  • the invention could in theory also be applied to a double column without any intermediate pressure column, however to produce low purity oxygen at around 95% purity, the low pressure column would need to operate at around 2 to 2.5 bars. In this case, the nitrogen expander ratio would be very low (from 1.5 to 1.9) and so power recovery would not be optimal.
  • the present invention is consequently reduced to the triple column case where the low pressure column operates at at least 4 bars abs, so as to have a nitrogen expansion ratio which is higher than in the double column case and therefore more suitable for power recovery.

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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)
EP12306527.8A 2012-12-06 2012-12-06 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Luft durch kryogene Destillation Withdrawn EP2741036A1 (de)

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EP12306527.8A EP2741036A1 (de) 2012-12-06 2012-12-06 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Luft durch kryogene Destillation

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EP12306527.8A EP2741036A1 (de) 2012-12-06 2012-12-06 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Abscheidung von Luft durch kryogene Destillation

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107166872A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2017-09-15 杭州颐氧健康科技有限公司 医疗保健气体深冷自增压式制取装置及其方法
US20220090856A1 (en) * 2020-09-21 2022-03-24 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L?Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprising three columns, including two concentric columns
CN115092891A (zh) * 2022-05-16 2022-09-23 西安交通大学 一种适用于高原环境制氧机及方法

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EP0518491A1 (de) 1991-05-14 1992-12-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Hochdruck-Lufttrennungsverfahren mit Gewinnung von Flüssigkeit
FR2686405A1 (fr) * 1992-01-20 1993-07-23 Air Liquide Procede et application de separation d'air, et application d'une telle installation.
JP2001133143A (ja) * 1999-11-04 2001-05-18 Toshiba Corp 空気分離設備
US6286336B1 (en) * 2000-05-03 2001-09-11 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryogenic air separation system for elevated pressure product
FR2819046A1 (fr) * 2001-01-03 2002-07-05 Air Liquide Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0518491A1 (de) 1991-05-14 1992-12-16 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Hochdruck-Lufttrennungsverfahren mit Gewinnung von Flüssigkeit
FR2686405A1 (fr) * 1992-01-20 1993-07-23 Air Liquide Procede et application de separation d'air, et application d'une telle installation.
JP2001133143A (ja) * 1999-11-04 2001-05-18 Toshiba Corp 空気分離設備
US6286336B1 (en) * 2000-05-03 2001-09-11 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryogenic air separation system for elevated pressure product
FR2819046A1 (fr) * 2001-01-03 2002-07-05 Air Liquide Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107166872A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2017-09-15 杭州颐氧健康科技有限公司 医疗保健气体深冷自增压式制取装置及其方法
US20220090856A1 (en) * 2020-09-21 2022-03-24 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L?Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprising three columns, including two concentric columns
CN115092891A (zh) * 2022-05-16 2022-09-23 西安交通大学 一种适用于高原环境制氧机及方法
CN115092891B (zh) * 2022-05-16 2023-08-15 西安交通大学 一种适用于高原环境制氧机及方法

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