EP2965029B1 - Air separation plant, method for obtaining a product containing argon, and method for creating an air separation plant - Google Patents

Air separation plant, method for obtaining a product containing argon, and method for creating an air separation plant Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2965029B1
EP2965029B1 EP14716232.5A EP14716232A EP2965029B1 EP 2965029 B1 EP2965029 B1 EP 2965029B1 EP 14716232 A EP14716232 A EP 14716232A EP 2965029 B1 EP2965029 B1 EP 2965029B1
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Prior art keywords
column
low
pressure column
section
argon
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EP14716232.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2965029A2 (en
Inventor
Stefan Lochner
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Priority to EP14716232.5A priority Critical patent/EP2965029B1/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
    • F25J3/0228—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 separated product stream
    • F25J3/028—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 separated product stream separation of noble gases
    • F25J3/0285—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 separated product stream separation of noble gases of argon
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—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
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/04424—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 without thermally coupled high and low pressure columns, i.e. a so-called split columns
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    • 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
    • F25J3/04624—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 integrated mass and heat exchange, so-called non-adiabatic rectification, e.g. dephlegmator, reflux exchanger
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • 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
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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04678—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser cooled by oxygen enriched liquid from high pressure column bottoms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04703—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser being arranged in more than one vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04721—Producing pure argon, e.g. recovered from a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04727—Producing pure argon, e.g. recovered from a crude argon column using an auxiliary pure argon column for nitrogen rejection
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/04878—Side by side arrangement of multiple vessels in a main column system, wherein the vessels are normally mounted one upon the other or forming different sections of the same column
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    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
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    • F25J2235/52—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen enriched compared to air ("crude oxygen")
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    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being argon or crude argon

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air separation plant, a process for recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of air, and a process for producing a corresponding air separation plant.
  • argon can be recovered in conventional air separation plants with known double column nitrogen-oxygen separation systems and an additional argon recovery unit.
  • argon accumulates in the region of the so-called argon transition in the low-pressure column (also referred to as the argon belly or argon bubble), where it reaches concentrations in the gas phase of up to 15%.
  • an argon-enriched stream is withdrawn slightly below this maximum argon from the low pressure column, so that it has a lower nitrogen content.
  • the argon-enriched stream is transferred to a so-called crude argon column.
  • the crude argon column is a separation column for argon-oxygen separation.
  • the crude argon column may be formed by a one-piece column, but there are also two- or multi-part columns, for example in the EP 0 628 777 B1 , described.
  • Corresponding air separation plants are hardly any prefabricated, because the respective component groups usually can not be transported over longer distances. This means that they have to be created at the respective destination. This is disadvantageous for a variety of reasons, among others because appropriate personnel at the destination are either unavailable or expensive. The effort to create appropriate air separation plants thus increases significantly.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object to create an air separation plant of the type mentioned economically particularly favorable and operate.
  • the present invention proposes an air separation plant, a process for recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of air and a method for producing a corresponding air separation plant with the features of the independent claims.
  • Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.
  • an air separation plant which is set up for the production of an argon-containing product by low-temperature decomposition of compressed and cooled feed air.
  • the air separation plant has a high-pressure column, a multi-part low-pressure column and a multipart crude argon column.
  • the multi-part low-pressure column and the multi-part crude argon column each have at least one foot section and a head section arranged spatially separated therefrom.
  • the multi-part low-pressure column and the multi-part crude argon column are each formed in two parts.
  • the air separation plant operates on the basis of the principles explained above, wherein an argon-enriched stream of the low-pressure column of the air separation plant can be removed.
  • the "argon-containing product” can be, for example, liquid argon (LAR), gaseous argon (GAR, possibly obtained by so-called internal compression) or so-called fake argon (impure argon, which is added in gaseous form to a residual gas in the cold state) ,
  • LAR liquid argon
  • GAR gaseous argon
  • fake argon impure argon, which is added in gaseous form to a residual gas in the cold state
  • a "two-part" pillar is designed in such a way that the two sections (head section and foot section) can be arranged spatially separated from one another.
  • Known air separation plants for example, column systems for nitrogen-oxygen separation have, in which the high-pressure column and the low-pressure column are arranged separately from each other and connected heat exchangers via a top condenser. Such column systems are "formed in two parts”.
  • the term "two-part design” thus delimits corresponding configurations from structural units in which components are permanently connected to one another and can not be arranged separately from one another.
  • foot section and "head section” respectively designates the sections of the two-part columns which, in terms of their function, in particular with regard to the fractions or streams occurring there, correspond to the lowermost or uppermost sections of conventional, one-part columns.
  • a foot section has, for example, a sump container
  • a head section has, for example, a top condenser.
  • the head section is thus the part of the columns which is connected to a corresponding condenser, and in which a return to the corresponding columns is abandoned.
  • air separation plants an oxygen-rich liquid fraction is recovered in the sump, which can be withdrawn as an oxygen product. This also takes place in a sump of a foot section of a two-part low-pressure column.
  • a "multipartite" low-pressure and / or crude argon column has more than two parts, intermediate sections between the foot and head sections are additionally provided.
  • the individual sections foot, head and possibly intermediate sections are connected to one another by means of lines and, if appropriate, pumps, in order in this way to provide an operation as is also carried out with a respective one-part column.
  • the air separation plant according to the invention is configured in a conventional manner, which means that at least one oxygen-rich stream can be obtained in the high-pressure column from at least part of feed air, which can be provided, for example, in the form of a plurality of feed air streams.
  • the oxygen-rich stream can be converted at least partially into the multi-part low-pressure column, specifically in its foot section.
  • at least one argon-rich stream can be obtained from the so-called argon transition from at least part of the oxygen-enriched stream. This can be converted into the multi-part crude argon column, and initially also in the foot section.
  • at least one portion of the argon-enriched stream can be used to recover at least one argon-rich stream.
  • a “stream” is a fluid that is continuously carried in a corresponding conduit.
  • a “fraction” represents a proportion of a starting mixture, for example of air, which can be separated from the starting mixture. Such a fraction can be routed at any time as a current in a corresponding conduit system or in a column.
  • a stream or fraction may be " enriched " with respect to one or more contained components, wherein an enriched fraction or stream has a higher content of one or more appropriately designated components than the starting mixture.
  • an enrichment is present when the content corresponds to at least two, five, ten or one hundred times the corresponding content in the starting mixture.
  • a "rich" current relative to one or more components predominantly has the corresponding component (s).
  • an argon-rich stream at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% argon on a molar, weight or volume basis.
  • the air separation plant according to the invention is characterized in that at least one liquid stream can be transferred from a lower region of the head section of the low-pressure column and from a lower region of the foot section of the crude argon column by means of a common pump into an upper region of the foot section of the low-pressure column.
  • the invention may include different arrangements of the columns or their sections.
  • the foot portion and / or the head portion of the crude argon column may be arranged geodetically at least partially adjacent to the head portion of the low-pressure column.
  • the high-pressure column, the head section of the low-pressure column, the foot section and the head section of the crude argon column may also be arranged geodetically at least partially next to each other.
  • the foot portion or the head portion of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the head portion of the low-pressure column.
  • the foot portion of the low-pressure column are arranged in vertical plan view next to its head portion and the foot portion of the crude argon column in vertical plan view next to its head portion.
  • the foot portion or the head portion of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the head portion of the low pressure column, the high pressure column and the foot portion of the low pressure column on the one hand and the head portion or the foot portion of the crude argon column and the head portion of the low pressure column in vertical plan view at least partially stacked.
  • the "deepest point" of a column or a column portion is respectively the lowest point at the bottom of a bottom-side disposed container, for example, a sump container, or the entire interior of the column or the column portion. Any connected lines are not part of the column.
  • the "highest point” of a column or column section is the roof of the column or column section. If a column or column section has a top condenser, its highest point is the highest point of the column or column section.
  • An arrangement of a component "in vertical plan view next to” here means an arrangement in which the corresponding components are arranged side by side in vertical projection. This does not exclude that the corresponding elements are arranged at different (geodetic) heights to each other.
  • the foot portion of the low pressure column may be arranged in vertical plan view adjacent to the head portion of the low pressure column, but the height arrangement may be so different that the geodetically highest point of the head portion of the low pressure column is still below the geodesic lowest point of the foot portion of the low pressure column.
  • the components are arranged "in vertical top view at least partially one above the other"
  • their peripheral lines overlap at least in part. For example, a Rohargon constituteer be moved sideways in order to build space-saving.
  • the arrangement according to the invention in the mentioned embodiments proves to be particularly advantageous because in this way corresponding air separation plants can be created with significantly lower height.
  • an air separation plant with a crude argon column with an effective height of about 60 m by a corresponding division and arrangement in a total height of about 40 m are created.
  • the crude argon column with the said height is divided into, for example, two parts.
  • the head section of the likewise two-part low pressure column can be placed geodesically below the top or bottom section of the crude argon column in a common coldbox.
  • This arrangement has a number of additional advantages, which will be explained below.
  • the foot section of the low-pressure column can form a structural unit with the high-pressure column and, as such, can also be placed in a corresponding cold box.
  • the high-pressure column and the foot section of the low-pressure column can be connected to one another in a heat-exchanging manner via a main condenser. This configuration corresponds to a conventional air separation plant with a Linde double column.
  • the corresponding coldbox for the head or foot section of the crude argon column and the head section of the low-pressure column only measures approx. 40 m.
  • the transport is easier.
  • the remaining section of the crude argon column also requires a height of about 40 m.
  • the air separation plant can therefore be created particularly cost-effective and, in particular due to the mentioned pump arrangement according to the invention, operated.
  • such an air separation plant can be completely prefabricated at the production site and transported in the appropriate cold boxes in the form of modular units to the destination.
  • a complex connection of a variety of components at the destination is therefore not required.
  • the plant components can be easily and completely in the factory on their own Functionality are checked, which may be unnecessary complicated diagnostics of individual components at the destination.
  • the low-pressure column is in this case preferably designed and operated such that the mentioned argon transition is located at the separation point between the top and bottom sections of the low-pressure column.
  • an argon-enriched stream is withdrawn slightly below the actual maximum argon from the low pressure column, so that it has a lower nitrogen content. This can be taken into account when choosing the separation point and when operating the low-pressure column.
  • the streams from the bottom of the leg section of the crude argon column and from the bottom of the top section of the low pressure column have equal or similar argon concentrations so that they can be fed by the common pump into the top of the foot section of the low pressure column.
  • An air separation plant according to the invention can be produced in different configurations, in particular using so-called piping skids, that is to say of casing modules which also allow prefabricated piping.
  • the air separation plant according to the invention advantageously comprises a pure argon column, in which argon can be obtained with a purity in the range mentioned above.
  • the pure argon column can be arranged in one of the mentioned cold boxes or separately, in particular in its own cold box.
  • a process according to the invention comprises recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of compressed and cooled feed air.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 shown air separation plants are merely exemplary and that in particular the dimensions of the components shown there, in particular the columns, are not to scale.
  • the crude argon column of a corresponding air separation plant usually the greatest height, which is not reproduced to scale in the drawing.
  • dumbbells are known from which only argon is withdrawn in order to achieve an energy advantage. Such columns are significantly lower, ie lower than the other columns.
  • FIG. 1 an air separation plant according to the invention for obtaining an argon product is shown schematically and designated 100 in total.
  • the air separation plant has a high-pressure column 1, a two-part low-pressure column with a foot section 2 and a head section 3, a likewise two-part crude argon column with a foot section 4 and a head section 5 and a pure argon column 6 on.
  • the foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column are structurally separated from each other.
  • the head section 3 of the low-pressure column is arranged in vertical plan view next to the high-pressure column 1, the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column above.
  • the foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column together correspond functionally to a conventional low-pressure column of a Linde double column.
  • the high-pressure column 1 and the two column sections 2 and 3 of the low-pressure column thus form a distillation column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation.
  • cooled and compressed feed air in the form of two streams a and b is fed into the high-pressure column 1.
  • the currents a and b may be a so-called turbine current (current a) on the one hand and a so-called inductor current (current b) on the other hand.
  • the air separation plant 100 according to the invention can thus be designed for internal compression.
  • the provision of the streams a and b is for example in the EP 2 026 024 A1 shown.
  • atmospheric air can be sucked in via a filter from an air compressor and compressed there to an absolute pressure of 5.0 to 7.0 bar, preferably about 5.5 bar.
  • the air can also be compressed to a higher pressure in the air compressor itself or in a further compressor (secondary compressor) arranged downstream thereof and subsequently expanded by means of an expansion machine, whereby, for example, part of the refrigeration requirement of the air separation plant 100 can be covered.
  • the air can be cooled after compression, for example in a direct contact cooler in direct heat exchange with cooling water.
  • the cooling water may for example be supplied from an evaporative cooler and / or from an external source.
  • the compressed and cooled air can then be cleaned in a cleaning device. This may for example comprise a pair of containers which are filled with a suitable adsorption material, preferably molecular sieve.
  • the purified air is then, i.d.R. in a main heat exchanger, cooled to about dew point.
  • the operating pressures - respectively at the top and the top of the head section - are 4.5 to 6.5 bar, preferably about 5.0 bar in the high-pressure column 1 and 1.2 to 1.7 bar, preferably about 1.3 bar in the low pressure column 2, 3.
  • the foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low pressure column are preferably operated at substantially the same pressure, but this does not exclude certain pressure differences, for example due to line resistance.
  • the high-pressure column 1 and the foot portion 2 of the low-pressure column are connected via a main capacitor 12 in heat exchanging connection and are designed as a structural unit.
  • the invention can also be used in systems in which the high-pressure column 1 and the low-pressure column (or their foot section 2) are arranged separately from one another and have a separate, ie. not integrated into the columns, have main capacitor.
  • Air that is liquefied in feeding the feed air stream b into the high pressure column 1 may be partially removed as a corresponding stream c, heated in a subcooler countercurrent 13, and then otherwise used or recompressed and provided as feed air stream a, b.
  • An oxygen-enriched fraction d is withdrawn from the bottom of the high-pressure column 1, subcooled in the subcooling countercurrent 13 and further cooled as stream e to a part in a bottom evaporator 14 of the pure argon column 6. Another part can be routed past the bottom evaporator 14. A portion of the stream e flows into the evaporation space of a top condenser 15 of the head section 5 of the two-part crude argon column, another part in the evaporation space of a top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6. The proportion of the oxygen-enriched fraction evaporated in the top condensers 15 and 16 is as stream f the head portion 3 of the low pressure column supplied at a first intermediate point. The remaining liquid portions are given as stream g at a second intermediate point of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column, which is above the first intermediate point.
  • Gaseous nitrogen from the top of the high-pressure column 1 can be heated as a stream h, for example in the main heat exchanger, not shown, for cooling the feed air to about ambient temperature and then, for example, as in the EP 2 026 024 A1 presented, further treated.
  • the remaining gaseous nitrogen from the top of the high-pressure column 1 is at least partially condensed in the main condenser 12.
  • the liquid nitrogen produced in this process is partly applied to the high-pressure column 1 as reflux.
  • Another part, after subcooling in the subcooling countercurrent 13, is passed as a stream i to the upper part of the head section 3 of the low pressure column.
  • a gaseous stream of nitrogen j from the head of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column can be used in different ways after passing through the subcooling countercurrent 13 or used further in the air separation plant.
  • a liquid oxygen stream k from the sump of the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column can be brought to liquid pressure by means of a pump 17 and subsequently supplied to, for example, a liquid oxygen tank (LOX). Part of this oxygen can also be vaporized to provide gaseous pressure oxygen (so-called internal compression).
  • LOX liquid oxygen tank
  • the division of the low-pressure column into the foot section 2 and the head section 3 and their operation are carried out in such a way that an argon-enriched fraction accumulates in the lower part of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column.
  • This is the area of the so-called argon transition (also referred to as argon belly or argon section).
  • This enrichment results from the volatility of argon, which is between that of nitrogen and that of oxygen.
  • the argon transition is above and below the intermediate point at which an oxygen-enriched fraction is fed (streams f and g).
  • Argon concentrations of up to 15% in the vapor phase can be achieved.
  • the argon-enriched stream is usually withdrawn below this intermediate point, as is the case here (stream m).
  • a current I flows from the upper part of the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column into the head section 3 of the low-pressure column in its lower region, whereby the foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column are partially functionally coupled.
  • an argon-rich stream m is withdrawn from the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and fed into the foot section 4 of the crude argon column.
  • the feed takes place immediately above the bottom of the foot section 4 of the crude argon column.
  • Bottom liquid from the bottom of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and from the bottom of the leg section 4 of the crude argon column is returned via a pump 18 as stream n into the root section 2 of the low-pressure column.
  • the top condenser 15 of the head portion 5 of the crude argon column may be formed as a reflux condenser. Gas from the top of the head portion 5 of the crude argon column flows down into the return passages where it is partially condensed. The condensate generated in this case flows in countercurrent to the rising gas in the return passages down and is used in the head section 5 of the crude argon column as a liquid reflux. On the evaporation side, the top condenser 15 is designed as a bath condenser.
  • the cooling fluid which is formed here by the liquid oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column 1, flows down through one or more lateral openings in the evaporation passages and is partially evaporated there.
  • Liquid is entrained by the thermosiphon effect, exits along with the vaporized portion at the top of the evaporation passages, and is returned to the liquid bath.
  • the top condenser 15 is thus formed on the evaporation side as a bath evaporator.
  • a crude argon stream n is taken off in gaseous form via a lateral header and fed to the pure argon column 6 at an intermediate point.
  • the top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6 is conventionally designed in the example on the liquefaction side, ie a top gas stream o of the pure argon column 6 flows from top to bottom through the liquefaction passages.
  • the top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6 and / or the main condenser 12 could be designed as reflux condenser.
  • a residual gas stream p is withdrawn and blown off into the atmosphere (ATM) in the example.
  • ATM atmosphere
  • it can be returned via its own fan in the high-pressure column 1 or the low-pressure column 2, 3 and / or in front of the air compressor.
  • the bottom liquid of the pure argon column 6 is partially evaporated as stream p in the bottom evaporator 14 and the steam generated is used as ascending gas in the pure argon column 6. The remainder is taken as liquid pure argon product stream q (LAR).
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary integration of the components of the air separation plant 100 in corresponding cold boxes is in the FIG. 1 illustrated by dashed lines.
  • A designates a first cold box, which is set up to receive the high-pressure column 1 and the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column.
  • a second cold box B can be set up for receiving the head section 3 of the low-pressure column.
  • a third cold box C is adapted to receive the head section 5 of the crude argon column.
  • the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and the head section 5 of the high-pressure column can also be arranged in a common coldbox.
  • Such a cold box may for example have a height of 40 m.
  • a fourth coldbox D is shown reduced in size in the illustrated example and, for example, also has a height of 40 m.
  • FIG. 2 an air separation plant for obtaining an argon product according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown even more schematically.
  • this air separation plant only the columns 2 to 6 are shown, on a representation of the corresponding compounds, pumps and heat exchangers was largely dispensed with.
  • a foot section 4 of the crude argon column is arranged above the head section 3 of the low-pressure column.
  • the subdivision of the crude argon column can be made at a different location than shown in the figure, if this is expedient for the arrangement according to the invention.
  • fluid from the foot section 4 of the crude argon column and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column can be pumped by the pump 18 as stream n in the foot section 3 of the low-pressure column.
  • the foot section 4 and / or the head section 5 of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically at least partially adjacent to the head section 3 of the low-pressure column.
  • all column sections 1 to 4 can be arranged at least partially geodetically next to each other.
  • the diameter of the columns can be influenced accordingly by the choice of internals in the respective columns (sieve trays, packings with different densities) and, if necessary, a further structural adaptation can be achieved.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Luftzerlegungsanlage, ein Verfahren zur Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft und ein Verfahren zur Erstellung einer entsprechenden Luftzerlegungsanlage.The present invention relates to an air separation plant, a process for recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of air, and a process for producing a corresponding air separation plant.

Stand der TechnikState of the art

Die Gewinnung von Argon durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft ist beispielsweise im Artikel " Noble Gases" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (doi: 10.1002/14356007.a17_485 ) beschrieben. Wie dort beispielsweise in Figur 18 dargestellt, kann Argon in herkömmlichen Luftzerlegungsanlagen mit bekannten Doppelsäulensystemen zur Stickstoff-Sauerstoff-Trennung und einer zusätzlichen Argongewinnungseinheit gewonnen werden.The recovery of argon by cryogenic separation of air is described, for example, in the article " Noble Gases "in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (doi: 10.1002 / 14356007.a17_485 ). As shown there, for example, in Figure 18, argon can be recovered in conventional air separation plants with known double column nitrogen-oxygen separation systems and an additional argon recovery unit.

In solchen Doppelsäulensystemen reichert sich Argon im Bereich des sogenannten Argonübergangs in der Niederdrucksäule (auch als Argonbauch bzw. Argonbubble bezeichnet) an und erreicht dort Konzentrationen in der Gasphase von bis zu 15%. In der praktischen Anwendung wird ein argonangereicherter Strom etwas unterhalb dieses Argonmaximums aus der Niederdrucksäule abgezogen, damit dieser einen geringeren Stickstoffgehalt aufweist.In such double column systems, argon accumulates in the region of the so-called argon transition in the low-pressure column (also referred to as the argon belly or argon bubble), where it reaches concentrations in the gas phase of up to 15%. In practical application, an argon-enriched stream is withdrawn slightly below this maximum argon from the low pressure column, so that it has a lower nitrogen content.

Der argonangereicherte Strom wird in eine sogenannte Rohargonsäule überführt. Bei der Rohargonsäule handelt es sich um eine Trennsäule zur Argon-Sauerstoff-Trennung. In herkömmlichen Luftzerlegungsanlagen kann die Rohargonsäule durch eine einteilige Säule gebildet sein, es sind jedoch auch zwei- oder mehrteilige Säulen, beispielsweise in der EP 0 628 777 B1 , beschrieben.The argon-enriched stream is transferred to a so-called crude argon column. The crude argon column is a separation column for argon-oxygen separation. In conventional air separation plants, the crude argon column may be formed by a one-piece column, but there are also two- or multi-part columns, for example in the EP 0 628 777 B1 , described.

In bekannte Rohargonsäulen wird ein argonangereicherter Strom mit einem Argongehalt von beispielsweise 10% eingespeist. In der Rohargonsäule wird hieraus ein argonreicher Strom gewonnen, der in einer nachgeschalteten Reinargonsäule nochmals aufgereinigt werden kann. In der Reinargonsäule kann ein Argonprodukt mit einem Gehalt von bis zu 99,9999% Argon oder mehr gewonnen werden. Dieses Argonprodukt wird üblicherweise in flüssiger Form gewonnen, um Lagerung und Transport zu erleichtern.In known Rohargonsäulen an argon-enriched stream is fed with an argon content of for example 10%. In the crude argon column an argon-rich stream is obtained from this, which can be purified again in a downstream pure argon column. In the pure argon column can be an argon product with a content of up to 99.9999% argon or more can be obtained. This argon product is usually recovered in liquid form to facilitate storage and transportation.

Prozesse zur Argongewinnung der erläuterten Art sind beispielsweise aus den folgenden Druckschriften bekannt: DE 2 325 422 A , EP 0 171 711 A2 ,
EP 0 377 117 B2 (entspricht US 5 019 145 A ), DE 403 07 49 A1 , EP 0 628 777 B1 ( US 5 426 946 A ), EP 0 669 508 A1 ( US 5 592 833 A ), EP 0 669 509 B1
( US 5 590 544 A ), EP 0 942 246 A2 , EP 1 103 772 A1 , DE 196 09 490 A1
( US 5 669 237 A ), EP 1 243 882 A1 ( US 2002/178747 A1 ), EP 1 243 881 A1
( US 2002/189281 A1 ) und FR 2 964 451 A3 .Processes for argon recovery of the type described are known, for example, from the following publications: DE 2 325 422 A . EP 0 171 711 A2 .
EP 0 377 117 B2 (equivalent to US 5 019 145 A ) DE 403 07 49 A1 . EP 0 628 777 B1 ( US 5 426 946 A ) EP 0 669 508 A1 ( US 5 592 833 A ) EP 0 669 509 B1
( US Pat. No. 5,590,544 ) EP 0 942 246 A2 . EP 1 103 772 A1 . DE 196 09 490 A1
( US 5 669 237 A ) EP 1 243 882 A1 ( US 2002/178747 A1 ) EP 1 243 881 A1
( US 2002/189281 A1 ) and FR 2 964 451 A3 ,

Bei der Erstellung von Luftzerlegungsanlagen zur Argongewinnung ergeben sich Probleme aufgrund der Dimensionen der verwendeten Säulen, insbesondere der Rohargonsäule. Ein Doppelsäulensystem zur Stickstoff-Sauerstoff-Trennung kann insgesamt eine Höhe von beinahe 60 m erreichen, eine Rohargonsäule in einteiliger Form liegt ebenfalls in diesem Bereich.When creating air separation plants for argon production, problems arise due to the dimensions of the columns used, in particular the crude argon column. A double column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation can reach a total height of nearly 60 m, a crude argon column in one-piece form is also in this area.

Entsprechende Luftzerlegungsanlagen sind kaum mehr vorfertigbar, weil die jeweiligen Komponentengruppen in der Regel nicht mehr über längere Strecken transportiert werden können. Dies bedeutet, dass sie am jeweiligen Zielort erstellt werden müssen. Dies ist aus unterschiedlichen Gründen nachteilig, unter anderem deshalb, weil entsprechendes Personal am Zielort entweder nicht verfügbar oder teuer ist. Der Aufwand zur Erstellung entsprechender Luftzerlegungsanlagen erhöht sich damit signifikant.Corresponding air separation plants are hardly any prefabricated, because the respective component groups usually can not be transported over longer distances. This means that they have to be created at the respective destination. This is disadvantageous for a variety of reasons, among others because appropriate personnel at the destination are either unavailable or expensive. The effort to create appropriate air separation plants thus increases significantly.

Wünschenswert ist hingegen die weitgehend modularisierte Erstellung einer entsprechenden Luftzerlegungsanlage am Fertigungsort. Die einzelnen Komponenten werden dort vorzugsweise bereits in den entsprechenden Coldboxen untergebracht und müssen am Zielort nur noch miteinander verbunden werden. Hierfür können vorteilhafterweise ebenfalls Module, sogenannte Piping Skids, eingesetzt werden.On the other hand, it would be desirable to have a largely modularized production of a corresponding air separation plant at the production site. The individual components are there preferably already accommodated in the corresponding cold boxes and need only be connected to each other at the destination. For this purpose, advantageously also modules, so-called piping skids, are used.

In der US 2001/0001364 A1 , welche eine Luftzerlegungsanlage entsprechend des Oberbegriffs von Anspruch 1 offenbart, wird vorgeschlagen, einen Teil der Säulen einer Luftzerlegungsanlage zur Argongewinnung zweiteilig auszubilden und eine Anordnung vorzunehmen, die es erlaubt, eine Coldbox für diese Säulen zu verkleinern.In the US 2001/0001364 A1 discloses an air separation plant according to the preamble of claim 1, it is proposed to form part of the columns of an air separation plant for argon production in two parts and to make an arrangement that makes it possible to reduce a cold box for these columns.

Wenngleich diese Aufteilung die Erstellung von Luftzerlegungsanlagen erleichtert, besteht weiter der Bedarf nach Verbesserungen. Der Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Luftzerlegungsanlage der eingangs genannten Art wirtschaftlich besonders günstig zu erstellen und zu betreiben.Although this split facilitates the creation of air separation plants, there is still a need for improvement. The invention is therefore based on the object to create an air separation plant of the type mentioned economically particularly favorable and operate.

Offenbarung der ErfindungDisclosure of the invention

Vor diesem Hintergrund schlägt die vorliegende Erfindung eine Luftzerlegungsanlage, ein Verfahren zur Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft und ein Verfahren zur Erstellung einer entsprechenden Luftzerlegungsanlage mit den Merkmalen der unabhängigen Patentansprüche vor. Bevorzugte Ausgestaltungen sind jeweils Gegenstand der Unteransprüche sowie der nachfolgenden Beschreibung.Against this background, the present invention proposes an air separation plant, a process for recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of air and a method for producing a corresponding air separation plant with the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

Vorteile der ErfindungAdvantages of the invention

Erfindungsgemäß wird eine Luftzerlegungsanlage vorgeschlagen, die zur Gewinnung eines Argon enthaltenden Produkts durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von verdichteter und abgekühlter Einsatzluft eingerichtet ist. Die Luftzerlegungsanlage weist eine Hochdrucksäule, eine mehrteilig ausgebildete Niederdrucksäule und eine mehrteilig ausgebildete Rohargonsäule auf. Die mehrteilig ausgebildete Niederdrucksäule und die mehrteilig ausgebildete Rohargonsäule weisen jeweils zumindest einen Fußabschnitt und einen räumlich getrennt hiervon angeordneten Kopfabschnitt auf. Insbesondere sind die mehrteilig ausgebildete Niederdrucksäule und die mehrteilig ausgebildete Rohargonsäule jeweils zweiteilig ausgebildet.According to the invention, an air separation plant is proposed, which is set up for the production of an argon-containing product by low-temperature decomposition of compressed and cooled feed air. The air separation plant has a high-pressure column, a multi-part low-pressure column and a multipart crude argon column. The multi-part low-pressure column and the multi-part crude argon column each have at least one foot section and a head section arranged spatially separated therefrom. In particular, the multi-part low-pressure column and the multi-part crude argon column are each formed in two parts.

Die Luftzerlegungsanlage arbeitet auf Grundlage der eingangs erläuterten Prinzipien, wobei ein argonangereicherter Strom der Niederdrucksäule der Luftzerlegungsanlage entnehmbar ist.The air separation plant operates on the basis of the principles explained above, wherein an argon-enriched stream of the low-pressure column of the air separation plant can be removed.

Bei dem "Argon enthaltenden Produkt" kann es sich beispielsweise um flüssiges Argon (LAR), gasförmiges Argon (GAR, ggf. durch sogenannte Innenverdichtung erhalten) oder sogenanntes Fake Argon (unreines Argon, das gasförmig im kalten Zustand zu einem Restgas zugegeben wird) handeln. Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend vorwiegend am Beispiel von flüssigem Reinargon (LAR) dargestellt, das kurz als "Argonprodukt" bezeichnet wird.The "argon-containing product" can be, for example, liquid argon (LAR), gaseous argon (GAR, possibly obtained by so-called internal compression) or so-called fake argon (impure argon, which is added in gaseous form to a residual gas in the cold state) , The invention will become predominantly below using the example of liquid pure argon (LAR), which is briefly referred to as "argon product".

Eine "zweiteilig ausgebildete" Säule ist, wie erwähnt derart ausgebildet, dass die zwei Abschnitte (Kopfabschnitt und Fußabschnitt) räumlich voneinander getrennt anordenbar sind. Bekannte Luftzerlegungsanlagen können beispielsweise Säulensysteme zur Stickstoff-Sauerstoff-Trennung aufweisen, bei denen die Hochdrucksäule und die Niederdrucksäule getrennt voneinander angeordnet und über einen Kopfkondensator wärmetauschend verbunden sind. Derartige Säulensysteme sind "zweiteilig ausgebildet". Der Begriff "zweiteilig ausgebildet" grenzt entsprechende Konfigurationen damit von baulichen Einheiten ab, in denen Komponenten dauerhaft miteinander verbunden und nicht getrennt voneinander anordenbar sind.As mentioned, a "two-part" pillar is designed in such a way that the two sections (head section and foot section) can be arranged spatially separated from one another. Known air separation plants, for example, column systems for nitrogen-oxygen separation have, in which the high-pressure column and the low-pressure column are arranged separately from each other and connected heat exchangers via a top condenser. Such column systems are "formed in two parts". The term "two-part design" thus delimits corresponding configurations from structural units in which components are permanently connected to one another and can not be arranged separately from one another.

Mit "Fußabschnitt" und "Kopfabschnitt" werden jeweils die Abschnitte der zweiteilig ausgebildeten Säulen bezeichnet, die in ihrer Funktion, insbesondere hinsichtlich der dort anfallenden Fraktionen bzw. Ströme, den untersten bzw. obersten Abschnitten herkömmlicher, einteilig ausgebildeter Säulen entsprechen. Ein Fußabschnitt weist beispielsweise einen Sumpfbehälter auf, ein Kopfabschnitt weist beispielsweise einen Kopfkondensator auf. Der Kopfabschnitt ist damit der Teil der Säulen, der mit einem entsprechenden Kondensator verbunden ist, und in dem ein Rücklauf auf die entsprechenden Säulen aufgegeben wird. In einer einteilig ausgebildeten Niederdrucksäule bekannter Luftzerlegungsanlagen wird im Sumpf eine sauerstoffreiche Flüssigfraktion gewonnen, die als Sauerstoffprodukt abgezogen werden kann. Dies erfolgt damit auch in einem Sumpf eines Fußabschnitts einer zweiteilig ausgebildeten Niederdrucksäule. Am Kopf einer einteilig ausgebildeten Niederdrucksäule bekannter Luftzerlegungsanlagen kann entsprechend ein gasförmiges Stickstoffprodukt abgezogen werden, gleiches gilt für den oberen Teil eines Kopfabschnitts einer zweiteilig ausgebildeten Niederdrucksäule. Am Kopf einer einteilig ausgebildeten Rohargonsäule - und entsprechend am oberen Teil eines Kopfabschnitts einer zweiteilig ausgebildeten Rohargonsäule - wird ein Rohargonstrom abgezogen und in eine Reinargonsäule überführt, vom Sumpf einer einteilig ausgebildeten Rohargonsäule - und entsprechend vom Sumpf eines Fußabschnitts einer zweiteilig ausgebildeten Rohargonsäule - wird das anfallende Sumpfprodukt in die Niederdrucksäule zurückgespeist.The term "foot section" and "head section" respectively designates the sections of the two-part columns which, in terms of their function, in particular with regard to the fractions or streams occurring there, correspond to the lowermost or uppermost sections of conventional, one-part columns. A foot section has, for example, a sump container, a head section has, for example, a top condenser. The head section is thus the part of the columns which is connected to a corresponding condenser, and in which a return to the corresponding columns is abandoned. In a one-piece low-pressure column known air separation plants an oxygen-rich liquid fraction is recovered in the sump, which can be withdrawn as an oxygen product. This also takes place in a sump of a foot section of a two-part low-pressure column. At the head of a one-piece low pressure column known air separation plants can be deducted according to a gaseous nitrogen product, the same applies to the upper part of a head portion of a two-part low pressure column. At the top of a one-piece Rohargonsäule - and corresponding to the upper part of a head portion of a two-part Rohargonsäule - a crude argon stream is withdrawn and transferred to a pure argon column, from the bottom of a one-piece Rohargonsäule - and accordingly from the bottom of a foot section of a two-part Rohargonsäule - the resulting Bottom product fed back into the low pressure column.

Weist eine "mehrteilig" ausgebildete Niederdruck- und/oder Rohargonsäule mehr als zwei Teile auf, sind zusätzlich Zwischenabschnitte zwischen Fuß- und Kopfabschnitt vorgesehen. Die einzelnen Abschnitte (Fuß-, Kopf- und gegebenenfalls Zwischenabschnitte) sind mittels Leitungen und gegebenenfalls Pumpen miteinander verbunden, um auf diese Weise einen Betrieb, wie er auch mit einer jeweils einteiligen Säule erfolgt, darzustellen.If a "multipartite" low-pressure and / or crude argon column has more than two parts, intermediate sections between the foot and head sections are additionally provided. The individual sections (foot, head and possibly intermediate sections) are connected to one another by means of lines and, if appropriate, pumps, in order in this way to provide an operation as is also carried out with a respective one-part column.

Die erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage ist in gängiger Weise konfiguriert, was bedeutet, dass in der Hochdrucksäule aus zumindest einem Teil von Einsatzluft, die beispielsweise in Form mehrerer Einsatzluftströme bereitgestellt werden kann, zumindest ein sauerstoffreicher Strom gewinnbar ist. Der sauerstoffreiche Strom kann zumindest zum Teil in die mehrteilige Niederdrucksäule überführt werden, und zwar zunächst in deren Fußabschnitt. In der mehrteiligen Niederdrucksäule kann, wie erläutert, am sogenannten Argonübergang aus zumindest einem Teil des sauerstoffangereicherten Stroms zumindest ein argonreicher Strom gewonnen werden. Dieser kann in die mehrteilige Rohargonsäule überführt werden, und zwar zunächst ebenfalls in deren Fußabschnitt. In der Rohargonsäule kann zumindest aus einem Teil des argonangereicherten Stroms zumindest ein argonreicher Strom gewonnen werden.The air separation plant according to the invention is configured in a conventional manner, which means that at least one oxygen-rich stream can be obtained in the high-pressure column from at least part of feed air, which can be provided, for example, in the form of a plurality of feed air streams. The oxygen-rich stream can be converted at least partially into the multi-part low-pressure column, specifically in its foot section. In the multi-part low-pressure column, as explained, at least one argon-rich stream can be obtained from the so-called argon transition from at least part of the oxygen-enriched stream. This can be converted into the multi-part crude argon column, and initially also in the foot section. In the crude argon column, at least one portion of the argon-enriched stream can be used to recover at least one argon-rich stream.

Für entsprechende Fluide werden hier die Begriffe "Ströme" und "Fraktionen" verwendet. Bei einem "Strom" handelt es sich beispielsweise um ein Fluid, das kontinuierlich in einer entsprechenden Leitung geführt wird. Eine "Fraktion" stellt einen Anteil eines Ausgangsgemischs dar, beispielsweise von Luft, der aus dem Ausgangsgemisch abgetrennt werden kann. Eine derartige Fraktion kann jederzeit als Strom in einem entsprechenden Leitungssystem oder in einer Säule geführt werden.For corresponding fluids, the terms "streams" and "fractions" are used here. For example, a "stream" is a fluid that is continuously carried in a corresponding conduit. A "fraction" represents a proportion of a starting mixture, for example of air, which can be separated from the starting mixture. Such a fraction can be routed at any time as a current in a corresponding conduit system or in a column.

Ein Strom oder eine Fraktion kann bezüglich einer oder mehrerer enthaltener Komponenten "angereichert" sein, wobei eine angereicherte Fraktion bzw. ein angereicherter Strom einen höheren Gehalt einer oder mehrerer entsprechend bezeichneter Komponenten als das Ausgangsgemisch aufweist. Insbesondere liegt eine Anreicherung dann vor, wenn der Gehalt mindestens dem zwei-, fünf-, zehn- oder einhundertfachen des entsprechenden Gehalts im Ausgangsgemisch entspricht. Ein bezüglich einer oder mehrerer Komponenten "reicher" Strom weist überwiegend die entsprechende(n) Komponente(n) auf. Beispielsweise kann ein argonreicher Strom wenigstens 80%, 90%, 95% oder 99% Argon auf molarer, Gewichts- oder Volumenbasis aufweisen.A stream or fraction may be " enriched " with respect to one or more contained components, wherein an enriched fraction or stream has a higher content of one or more appropriately designated components than the starting mixture. In particular, an enrichment is present when the content corresponds to at least two, five, ten or one hundred times the corresponding content in the starting mixture. A "rich" current relative to one or more components predominantly has the corresponding component (s). For example, an argon-rich stream at least 80%, 90%, 95% or 99% argon on a molar, weight or volume basis.

Die erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass zumindest ein flüssiger Strom aus einem unteren Bereich des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule und aus einem unteren Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Rohargonsäule mittels einer gemeinsamen Pumpe in einen oberen Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule überführbar sind.The air separation plant according to the invention is characterized in that at least one liquid stream can be transferred from a lower region of the head section of the low-pressure column and from a lower region of the foot section of the crude argon column by means of a common pump into an upper region of the foot section of the low-pressure column.

Die Erfindung kann unterschiedliche Anordnungen der Säulen bzw. ihrer Abschnitte umfassen. So kann der Fußabschnitt und/oder der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule geodätisch zumindest teilweise neben dem Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet sein. In diesem Fall können auch die Hochdrucksäule, der Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule, der Fußabschnitt und der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule geodätisch zumindest teilweise nebeneinander angeordnet sein. Gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass der Fußabschnitt oder der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule geodätisch vollständig oberhalb des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet ist. Vorzugsweise sind auch der Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule in vertikaler Draufsicht neben ihrem Kopfabschnitt und der Fußabschnitt der Rohargonsäule in vertikaler Draufsicht neben ihrem Kopfabschnitt angeordnet. Gleichzeitig sind, wenn der Fußabschnitt oder der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule geodätisch vollständig oberhalb des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet ist, die Hochdrucksäule und der Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule einerseits und der Kopfabschnitt oder der Fußabschnitt der Rohargonsäule und der Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule in vertikaler Draufsicht zumindest teilweise übereinander angeordnet.The invention may include different arrangements of the columns or their sections. Thus, the foot portion and / or the head portion of the crude argon column may be arranged geodetically at least partially adjacent to the head portion of the low-pressure column. In this case, the high-pressure column, the head section of the low-pressure column, the foot section and the head section of the crude argon column may also be arranged geodetically at least partially next to each other. According to a further embodiment it is provided that the foot portion or the head portion of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the head portion of the low-pressure column. Preferably, the foot portion of the low-pressure column are arranged in vertical plan view next to its head portion and the foot portion of the crude argon column in vertical plan view next to its head portion. At the same time, when the foot portion or the head portion of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the head portion of the low pressure column, the high pressure column and the foot portion of the low pressure column on the one hand and the head portion or the foot portion of the crude argon column and the head portion of the low pressure column in vertical plan view at least partially stacked.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Anmeldung ist mit "geodätisch zumindest teilweise neben" gemeint, dass der tiefste Punkt der jeweils näher bezeichneten Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts (hier beispielsweise des Fußabschnitts und/oder des Kopfabschnitts der Rohargonsäule) unterhalb des höchsten Punkts der entsprechenden anderen Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts (hier beispielsweise des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule) liegt. Die tiefsten Punkte der jeweils näher bezeichneten Säulen oder Säulenabschnitte können auch auf einer Ebene liegen. In der erwähnten Ausführungsform, in der der Fußabschnitt und/oder der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule geodätisch zumindest teilweise neben dem Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet ist, existiert also eine horizontale Schnittebene, die sowohl den Fußabschnitt und/oder den Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule als auch den Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule schneidet.In the context of the present application, by "geodetically at least partially adjacent" it is meant that the lowest point of the respectively designated column or column portion (here, for example, the foot portion and / or the head portion of the crude argon column) is below the highest point of the corresponding other column or column Column section (here, for example, the head section of the low-pressure column) is located. The lowest points of each designated columns or column sections may also lie on one level. In the mentioned embodiment, in which the foot portion and / or the head portion of Rohargonsäule geodetically disposed at least partially adjacent to the head portion of the low pressure column, so there is a horizontal section plane that intersects both the foot portion and / or the head portion of the crude argon column and the head portion of the low pressure column.

Entsprechend ist mit "geodätisch vollständig oberhalb" gemeint, dass der tiefste Punkt der jeweils näher bezeichneten Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts (hier beispielsweise des Fußabschnitts oder des Kopfabschnitts der Rohargonsäule) oberhalb des höchsten Punkts der entsprechenden anderen Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts (hier beispielsweise des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule) liegt. Würde in dem erläuterten Fall der Fußabschnitt bzw. der Kopfabschnitt der Rohargonsäule, der geodätisch vollständig oberhalb des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet ist, an seinem tiefsten Punkt fluidisch mit dem Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule verbunden, würde eine Flüssigkeit, Druckunterschiede vernachlässigt, vollständig in den Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule abfließen.Accordingly, by "geodetically completely above" it is meant that the lowest point of the respectively designated column or column portion (here, for example, the foot portion or the top portion of the crude argon column) is above the highest point of the corresponding other column or column portion (here, for example, the head portion of FIG Low pressure column) is located. If, in the illustrated case, the foot section or the head section of the crude argon column, which is arranged geodetically completely above the top section of the low-pressure column, fluidically connected at its lowest point to the head section of the low-pressure column, a liquid, pressure differences would be completely in the head portion of the low-pressure column flow away.

Hierbei ist der "tiefste Punkt" einer Säule oder eines Säulenabschnitts jeweils die tiefste Stelle am Boden eines bodenseitig angeordneten Behälters, beispielsweise eines Sumpfbehälters, oder des gesamten Innenraums der Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts. Die eventuell hiermit verbundenen Leitungen zählen nicht zur Säule. Der "höchste Punkt" einer Säule oder eines Säulenabschnitts ist das Dach der Säule oder eines Säulenabschnitts. Weist eine Säule oder ein Säulenabschnitt einen Kopfkondensator auf, ist dessen höchster Punkt der höchste Punkt der Säule oder des Säulenabschnitts.Here, the "deepest point" of a column or a column portion is respectively the lowest point at the bottom of a bottom-side disposed container, for example, a sump container, or the entire interior of the column or the column portion. Any connected lines are not part of the column. The "highest point" of a column or column section is the roof of the column or column section. If a column or column section has a top condenser, its highest point is the highest point of the column or column section.

Eine Anordnung einer Komponente "in vertikaler Draufsicht neben" meint hier eine Anordnung, in der die entsprechenden Komponenten in vertikaler Projektion nebeneinander angeordnet sind. Dies schließt nicht aus, dass die entsprechenden Elemente in unterschiedlichen (geodätischen) Höhen zueinander angeordnet sind. Beispielsweise kann der Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule in vertikaler Draufsicht neben dem Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet sein, die höhenmäßige Anordnung kann jedoch derart unterschiedlich sein, dass der geodätisch höchste Punkt des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule noch unterhalb des geodätisch tiefsten Punkts des Fußabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule liegt. Wenn die Komponenten hingegen "in vertikaler Draufsicht zumindest teilweise übereinander" angeordnet sind, überschneiden sich ihre Umfangslinien zumindest zum Teil. Beispielsweise kann ein Rohargonbehälter seitlich verschoben werden, um platzsparender bauen zu können.An arrangement of a component "in vertical plan view next to" here means an arrangement in which the corresponding components are arranged side by side in vertical projection. This does not exclude that the corresponding elements are arranged at different (geodetic) heights to each other. For example, the foot portion of the low pressure column may be arranged in vertical plan view adjacent to the head portion of the low pressure column, but the height arrangement may be so different that the geodetically highest point of the head portion of the low pressure column is still below the geodesic lowest point of the foot portion of the low pressure column. On the other hand, if the components are arranged "in vertical top view at least partially one above the other", their peripheral lines overlap at least in part. For example, a Rohargonbehälter be moved sideways in order to build space-saving.

Die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung in den erwähnten Ausführungsformen erweist sich als besonders vorteilhaft, weil hierdurch entsprechende Luftzerlegungsanlagen mit deutlich geringerer Höhe erstellt werden können. Beispielsweise kann mittels der erfindungsgemäßen Maßnahmen eine Luftzerlegungsanlage mit einer Rohargonsäule mit einer wirksamen Höhe von ca. 60 m durch eine entsprechende Aufteilung und Anordnung in einer Gesamtbauhöhe von ca. 40 m erstellt werden.The arrangement according to the invention in the mentioned embodiments proves to be particularly advantageous because in this way corresponding air separation plants can be created with significantly lower height. For example, by means of the measures according to the invention an air separation plant with a crude argon column with an effective height of about 60 m by a corresponding division and arrangement in a total height of about 40 m are created.

Die Rohargonsäule mit der genannten Höhe wird hierzu in beispielsweise zwei Teile unterteilt. Der Kopfabschnitt der ebenfalls zweigeteilten Niederdrucksäule kann geodätisch unterhalb des Kopf- oder Fußabschnitts der Rohargonsäule in einer gemeinsamen Coldbox plaziert werden. Diese Anordnung weist eine Reihe zusätzlicher Vorteile auf, die nachfolgend erläutert werden. Der Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule kann mit der Hochdrucksäule eine bauliche Einheit bilden und als solche ebenfalls in einer entsprechenden Coldbox plaziert werden. Die Hochdrucksäule und der Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule können über einen Hauptkondensator wärmetauschend miteinander verbunden sein. Diese Konfiguration entspricht einer herkömmlichen Luftzerlegungsanlage mit einer Linde-Doppelsäule.The crude argon column with the said height is divided into, for example, two parts. The head section of the likewise two-part low pressure column can be placed geodesically below the top or bottom section of the crude argon column in a common coldbox. This arrangement has a number of additional advantages, which will be explained below. The foot section of the low-pressure column can form a structural unit with the high-pressure column and, as such, can also be placed in a corresponding cold box. The high-pressure column and the foot section of the low-pressure column can be connected to one another in a heat-exchanging manner via a main condenser. This configuration corresponds to a conventional air separation plant with a Linde double column.

Die entsprechende Coldbox für den Kopf- oder Fußabschnitt der Rohargonsäule und den Kopfabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule misst nur ca. 40 m. Der Transport ist damit erleichtert. Ähnliches gilt für die Coldbox, die die Hochdrucksäule und den Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule enthält. Der verbleibende Abschnitt der Rohargonsäule benötigt ebenfalls eine Bauhöhe von ca. 40 m.The corresponding coldbox for the head or foot section of the crude argon column and the head section of the low-pressure column only measures approx. 40 m. The transport is easier. The same applies to the cold box, which contains the high-pressure column and the foot section of the low-pressure column. The remaining section of the crude argon column also requires a height of about 40 m.

Die Luftzerlegungsanlage kann daher besonders kostengünstig erstellt und, insbesondere aufgrund der erwähnten erfindungsgemäßen Pumpenanordnung, betrieben werden. Insbesondere kann eine derartige Luftzerlegungsanlage vollständig am Fertigungsort vorgefertigt und in den entsprechenden Coldboxen in Form modularer Einheiten an den Zielort transportiert werden. Eine aufwendige Verbindung einer Vielzahl von Komponenten am Zielort ist damit nicht erforderlich. Die Anlagenkomponenten können im Werk besonders einfach in ihrer Gesamtheit auf ihre Funktionsfähigkeit überprüft werden, was gegebenenfalls eine aufwendige Fehlerdiagnose an Einzelkomponenten am Zielort erübrigt.The air separation plant can therefore be created particularly cost-effective and, in particular due to the mentioned pump arrangement according to the invention, operated. In particular, such an air separation plant can be completely prefabricated at the production site and transported in the appropriate cold boxes in the form of modular units to the destination. A complex connection of a variety of components at the destination is therefore not required. The plant components can be easily and completely in the factory on their own Functionality are checked, which may be unnecessary complicated diagnostics of individual components at the destination.

Besondere Vorteile ergeben sich beim Betrieb der erfindungsgemäßen Luftzerlegungsanlage dadurch, dass, wie erwähnt, ein flüssiger Strom aus einem unteren Bereich des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule und ein flüssiger Strom aus einem unteren Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Rohargonsäule mittels einer gemeinsamen Pumpe in einen oberen Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule überführt werden. Die Bereitstellung mehrerer unterschiedlicher Pumpen und damit ein entsprechender Energieverbrauch sowie der damit verbundene Wärmeeintrag und eine entsprechende Wartungsanfälligkeit entfallen hierdurch vollständig.Particular advantages arise when operating the air separation plant according to the invention in that, as mentioned, a liquid stream from a lower portion of the head portion of the low pressure column and a liquid stream from a lower portion of the foot portion of the crude argon column by means of a common pump in an upper region of the foot portion of Low pressure column to be transferred. The provision of several different pumps and thus a corresponding energy consumption as well as the associated heat input and a corresponding maintenance requirement are completely eliminated.

Die Niederdrucksäule wird hierbei vorzugsweise derart ausgebildet und betrieben, dass sich der erwähnte Argonübergang an der Trennstelle zwischen dem Kopf- und dem Fußabschnitt der Niederdrucksäule befindet. Wie erwähnt, wird in der praktischen Anwendung ein argonangereicherter Strom etwas unterhalb des eigentlichen Argonmaximums aus der Niederdrucksäule abgezogen, damit dieser einen geringeren Stickstoffgehalt aufweist. Dies kann bei der Wahl der Trennstelle und beim Betrieb der Niederdrucksäule berücksichtigt werden. Im Ergebnis weisen die Ströme aus dem unteren Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Rohargonsäule und aus dem unteren Bereich des Kopfabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule gleiche oder ähnliche Argonkonzentrationen auf, so dass diese mittels der gemeinsamen Pumpe in den oberen Bereich des Fußabschnitts der Niederdrucksäule eingespeist werden können.The low-pressure column is in this case preferably designed and operated such that the mentioned argon transition is located at the separation point between the top and bottom sections of the low-pressure column. As mentioned, in practice, an argon-enriched stream is withdrawn slightly below the actual maximum argon from the low pressure column, so that it has a lower nitrogen content. This can be taken into account when choosing the separation point and when operating the low-pressure column. As a result, the streams from the bottom of the leg section of the crude argon column and from the bottom of the top section of the low pressure column have equal or similar argon concentrations so that they can be fed by the common pump into the top of the foot section of the low pressure column.

Eine erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage kann in unterschiedlicher Konfiguration erstellt werden, insbesondere unter Verwendung von sogenannten Piping Skids, also von Verrohrungsmodulen, die auch eine vorgefertigte Verrohrung ermöglichen.An air separation plant according to the invention can be produced in different configurations, in particular using so-called piping skids, that is to say of casing modules which also allow prefabricated piping.

Ferner umfasst die erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage vorteilhafterweise eine Reinargonsäule, in der sich Argon mit einer Reinheit im eingangs erwähnten Bereich gewinnen lässt. Die Reinargonsäule kann in einer der erwähnten Coldboxen oder separat dazu, insbesondere in einer eigenen Coldbox, angeordnet sein.Furthermore, the air separation plant according to the invention advantageously comprises a pure argon column, in which argon can be obtained with a purity in the range mentioned above. The pure argon column can be arranged in one of the mentioned cold boxes or separately, in particular in its own cold box.

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren umfasst die Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von verdichteter und abgekühlter Einsatzluft. Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren profitiert von den zuvor erwähnten Vorteilen, so dass hierauf ausdrücklich verwiesen werden kann.A process according to the invention comprises recovering an argon product by cryogenic separation of compressed and cooled feed air. The method according to the invention benefits from the aforementioned advantages, so that it can be expressly referred to.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die beigefügten Zeichnungen beschrieben, die bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung zeigen.The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention.

Kurze Beschreibung der ZeichnungenBrief description of the drawings

  • Figur 1 zeigt schematisch eine Luftzerlegungsanlage zur Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung. FIG. 1 schematically shows an air separation plant for obtaining an argon product according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • Figur 2 zeigt schematisch eine Luftzerlegungsanlage zur Gewinnung eines Argonpodukts gemäß einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung. FIG. 2 shows schematically an air separation plant for obtaining an Argonpodukts according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention.
Ausführungsformen der ErfindungEmbodiments of the invention

In den Figuren sind einander entsprechende Elemente mit identischen Bezugszeichen angegeben. Auf eine wiederholte Erläuterung derselben wird verzichtet.In the figures, corresponding elements with identical reference numerals are given. A repeated explanation of the same is waived.

Es sei ausdrücklich betont, dass die Anordnung der Komponenten der in den Figuren 1 und 2 dargestellten Luftzerlegungsanlagen lediglich beispielhaft ist und dass insbesondere die Dimensionen der dort dargestellten Komponenten, insbesondere der Säulen, nicht maßstabsgerecht sind. Wie erwähnt weist die Rohargonsäule einer entsprechenden Luftzerlegungsanlage in der Regel die größte Höhe auf, was in der Zeichnung nicht maßstabsgerecht wiedergegeben ist. Auch Anlagen mit sogenannten Dummysäulen sind bekannt, aus denen nur Argon abgezogen wird, um einen Energievorteil zu erreichen. Derartige Säulen sind deutlich niedriger, also auch niedriger als die anderen Säulen.It should be emphasized that the arrangement of the components in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown air separation plants is merely exemplary and that in particular the dimensions of the components shown there, in particular the columns, are not to scale. As mentioned, the crude argon column of a corresponding air separation plant usually the greatest height, which is not reproduced to scale in the drawing. Even systems with so-called dumbbells are known from which only argon is withdrawn in order to achieve an energy advantage. Such columns are significantly lower, ie lower than the other columns.

In Figur 1 ist eine erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage zur Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts schematisch dargestellt und insgesamt mit 100 bezeichnet. Die Luftzerlegungsanlage weist als Trenneinheiten eine Hochdrucksäule 1, eine zweigeteilte Niederdrucksäule mit einem Fußabschnitt 2 und einem Kopfabschnitt 3, eine ebenfalls zweigeteilte Rohargonsäule mit einem Fußabschnitt 4 und einem Kopfabschnitt 5 sowie eine Reinargonsäule 6 auf. Der Fußabschnitt 2 und der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule sind baulich voneinander getrennt. Der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule ist in vertikaler Draufsicht neben der Hochdrucksäule 1 angeordnet, der Fußabschnitt 2 der Niederdrucksäule darüber. Der Fußabschnitt 2 und der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule entsprechen zusammen funktional einer herkömmlichen Niederdrucksäule einer Linde-Doppelsäule. Die Hochdrucksäule 1 und die beiden Säulenabschnitte 2 und 3 der Niederdrucksäule bilden damit ein Destilliersäulensystem zur Stickstoff-Sauerstoff-Trennung.In FIG. 1 an air separation plant according to the invention for obtaining an argon product is shown schematically and designated 100 in total. As separation units, the air separation plant has a high-pressure column 1, a two-part low-pressure column with a foot section 2 and a head section 3, a likewise two-part crude argon column with a foot section 4 and a head section 5 and a pure argon column 6 on. The foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column are structurally separated from each other. The head section 3 of the low-pressure column is arranged in vertical plan view next to the high-pressure column 1, the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column above. The foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column together correspond functionally to a conventional low-pressure column of a Linde double column. The high-pressure column 1 and the two column sections 2 and 3 of the low-pressure column thus form a distillation column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation.

Im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel wird abgekühlte und verdichtete Einsatzluft in Form zweier Ströme a und b in die Hochdrucksäule 1 eingespeist. Bei den Strömen a und b kann es sich um einen sogenannten Turbinenstrom (Strom a) einerseits und einen sogenannten Drosselstrom (Strom b) andererseits handeln. Die erfindungsgemäße Luftzerlegungsanlage 100 kann damit zur Innenverdichtung ausgebildet sein. Die Bereitstellung der Ströme a und b ist beispielsweise in der der EP 2 026 024 A1 dargestellt. Beispielsweise kann atmosphärische Luft über ein Filter von einem Luftverdichter angesaugt und dort auf einen Absolutdruck von 5,0 bis 7,0 bar, vorzugsweise etwa 5,5 bar verdichtet werden. Die Luft kann in dem Luftverdichter selbst oder in einem stromab hiervon angeordneten weiteren Verdichter (Nachverdichter) auch auf einen höheren Druck verdichtet und später über eine Entspannungsmaschine entspannt werden, wodurch beispielsweise ein Teil des Kältebedarfs der Luftzerlegungsanlage 100 gedeckt werden kann.In the illustrated embodiment, cooled and compressed feed air in the form of two streams a and b is fed into the high-pressure column 1. The currents a and b may be a so-called turbine current (current a) on the one hand and a so-called inductor current (current b) on the other hand. The air separation plant 100 according to the invention can thus be designed for internal compression. The provision of the streams a and b is for example in the EP 2 026 024 A1 shown. For example, atmospheric air can be sucked in via a filter from an air compressor and compressed there to an absolute pressure of 5.0 to 7.0 bar, preferably about 5.5 bar. The air can also be compressed to a higher pressure in the air compressor itself or in a further compressor (secondary compressor) arranged downstream thereof and subsequently expanded by means of an expansion machine, whereby, for example, part of the refrigeration requirement of the air separation plant 100 can be covered.

Die Luft kann nach der Verdichtung beispielsweise in einem Direktkontaktkühler in direktem Wärmeaustausch mit Kühlwasser gekühlt werden. Das Kühlwasser kann beispielsweise aus einem Verdunstungskühler und/oder von einer äußeren Quelle zugeführt werden. Die verdichtete und gekühlte Luft kann dann in einer Reinigungsvorrichtung gereinigt werden. Diese kann beispielsweise ein Paar von Behältern aufweisen, die mit einem geeigneten Adsorptionsmaterial, vorzugsweise Molekularsieb, gefüllt sind. Die gereinigte Luft wird dann, i.d.R. in einem Hauptwärmetauscher, auf etwa Taupunkt abgekühlt.The air can be cooled after compression, for example in a direct contact cooler in direct heat exchange with cooling water. The cooling water may for example be supplied from an evaporative cooler and / or from an external source. The compressed and cooled air can then be cleaned in a cleaning device. This may for example comprise a pair of containers which are filled with a suitable adsorption material, preferably molecular sieve. The purified air is then, i.d.R. in a main heat exchanger, cooled to about dew point.

Die Betriebsdrücke - jeweils am Kopf bzw. dem oberen Teil des Kopfabschnitts - betragen 4,5 bis 6,5 bar, vorzugsweise etwa 5,0 bar in der Hochdrucksäule 1 und 1,2 bis 1,7 bar, vorzugsweise etwa 1,3 bar in der Niederdrucksäule 2, 3. Der Fußabschnitt 2 und der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule werden vorzugsweise bei im Wesentlichen gleichem Druck betrieben, was jedoch gewisse Druckunterschiede, beispielsweise aufgrund von Leitungswiderständen, nicht ausschließt.The operating pressures - respectively at the top and the top of the head section - are 4.5 to 6.5 bar, preferably about 5.0 bar in the high-pressure column 1 and 1.2 to 1.7 bar, preferably about 1.3 bar in the low pressure column 2, 3. The foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low pressure column are preferably operated at substantially the same pressure, but this does not exclude certain pressure differences, for example due to line resistance.

Die Hochdrucksäule 1 und der Fußabschnitt 2 der Niederdrucksäule stehen über einen Hauptkondensator 12 in wärmetauschender Verbindung und sind als bauliche Einheit ausgebildet. Die Erfindung ist jedoch grundsätzlich auch in Systemen einsetzbar, in denen die Hochdrucksäule 1 und die Niederdrucksäule (bzw. deren Fußabschnitt 2) getrennt voneinander angeordnet sind und einen separaten, d.h. nicht in die Säulen integrierten, Hauptkondensator aufweisen.The high-pressure column 1 and the foot portion 2 of the low-pressure column are connected via a main capacitor 12 in heat exchanging connection and are designed as a structural unit. However, in principle, the invention can also be used in systems in which the high-pressure column 1 and the low-pressure column (or their foot section 2) are arranged separately from one another and have a separate, ie. not integrated into the columns, have main capacitor.

Luft, die bei der Einspeisung des Einsatzluftstroms b in die Hochdrucksäule 1 verflüssigt wird, kann zum Teil als entsprechender Strom c abgeführt, in einem Unterkühlungs-Gegenströmer 13 erwärmt, und anschließend anderweitig verwendet oder erneut verdichtet und als Einsatzluftstrom a, b bereitgestellt werden.Air that is liquefied in feeding the feed air stream b into the high pressure column 1 may be partially removed as a corresponding stream c, heated in a subcooler countercurrent 13, and then otherwise used or recompressed and provided as feed air stream a, b.

Eine sauerstoffangereicherte Fraktion d wird vom Sumpf der Hochdrucksäule 1 abgezogen, in dem Unterkühlungs-Gegenströmer 13 unterkühlt und als Strom e zu einem Teil in einem Sumpfverdampfer 14 der Reinargonsäule 6 weiter abgekühlt. Ein anderer Teil kann am Sumpfverdampfer 14 vorbeigeleitet werden. Ein Teil des Stroms e strömt in den Verdampfungsraum eines Kopfkondensators 15 des Kopfabschnitts 5 der zweigeteilten Rohargonsäule, ein anderer Teil in den Verdampfungsraum eines Kopfkondensators 16 der Reinargonsäule 6. Der in den Kopfkondensatoren 15 und 16 verdampfte Anteil der sauerstoffangereicherten Fraktion wird als Strom f dem Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule an einer ersten Zwischenstelle zugeführt. Die flüssig verbliebenen Anteile werden als Strom g an einer zweiten Zwischenstelle des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule aufgegeben, die oberhalb der ersten Zwischenstelle liegt.An oxygen-enriched fraction d is withdrawn from the bottom of the high-pressure column 1, subcooled in the subcooling countercurrent 13 and further cooled as stream e to a part in a bottom evaporator 14 of the pure argon column 6. Another part can be routed past the bottom evaporator 14. A portion of the stream e flows into the evaporation space of a top condenser 15 of the head section 5 of the two-part crude argon column, another part in the evaporation space of a top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6. The proportion of the oxygen-enriched fraction evaporated in the top condensers 15 and 16 is as stream f the head portion 3 of the low pressure column supplied at a first intermediate point. The remaining liquid portions are given as stream g at a second intermediate point of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column, which is above the first intermediate point.

Gasförmiger Stickstoff vom Kopf der Hochdrucksäule 1 kann zu einem Teil als Strom h, beispielsweise in dem nicht dargestellten Hauptwärmetauscher, zur Abkühlung der Einsatzluft auf etwa Umgebungstemperatur angewärmt und anschließend, beispielsweise wie in der EP 2 026 024 A1 dargestellt, weiter behandelt werden.Gaseous nitrogen from the top of the high-pressure column 1 can be heated as a stream h, for example in the main heat exchanger, not shown, for cooling the feed air to about ambient temperature and then, for example, as in the EP 2 026 024 A1 presented, further treated.

Der restliche gasförmige Stickstoff vom Kopf der Hochdrucksäule 1 wird im Hauptkondensator 12 mindestens teilweise kondensiert. Der dabei erzeugte flüssige Stickstoff wird teilweise auf die Hochdrucksäule 1 als Rücklauf aufgegeben. Ein anderer Teil wird nach Unterkühlung in dem Unterkühlungs-Gegenströmer 13 als Strom i zum oberen Teil des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule geleitet. Ein gasförmiger Stickstoffstrom j vom Kopf des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule kann nach Durchlaufen des Unterkühlungs-Gegenströmers 13 auf unterschiedliche Weise genutzt bzw. in der Luftzerlegungsanlage weiterverwendet werden.The remaining gaseous nitrogen from the top of the high-pressure column 1 is at least partially condensed in the main condenser 12. The liquid nitrogen produced in this process is partly applied to the high-pressure column 1 as reflux. Another part, after subcooling in the subcooling countercurrent 13, is passed as a stream i to the upper part of the head section 3 of the low pressure column. A gaseous stream of nitrogen j from the head of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column can be used in different ways after passing through the subcooling countercurrent 13 or used further in the air separation plant.

Ein flüssiger Sauerstoffstrom k aus dem Sumpf des Fußabschnitts 2 der Niederdrucksäule kann mittels einer Pumpe 17 flüssig auf Druck gebracht und anschließend beispielsweise einem Flüssigsauerstofftank (LOX) zugeleitet werden. Ein Teil dieses Sauerstoffs kann auch zur Bereitstellung von gasförmigem Drucksauerstoff verdampft werden (sogenannte Innenverdichtung).A liquid oxygen stream k from the sump of the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column can be brought to liquid pressure by means of a pump 17 and subsequently supplied to, for example, a liquid oxygen tank (LOX). Part of this oxygen can also be vaporized to provide gaseous pressure oxygen (so-called internal compression).

Die Aufteilung der Niederdrucksäule in den Fußabschnitt 2 und den Kopfabschnitt 3 und deren Betrieb erfolgen derart, dass sich im unteren Teil des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule eine argonangereicherte Fraktion anreichert. Es handelt sich hierbei um den Bereich des sogenannten Argonübergangs (auch als Argonbauch oder Argonabschnitt bezeichnet). Diese Anreicherung ergibt sich, wie dem Fachmann bekannt, aus der Flüchtigkeit von Argon, die zwischen jener von Stickstoff und jener von Sauerstoff liegt. Werden in der Niederdrucksäule übliche Rücklaufverhältnisse verwendet, liegt der Argonübergang oberhalb und unterhalb der Zwischenstelle, an der eine sauerstoffangereicherte Fraktion eingespeist wird (Ströme f und g). Es können Argonkonzentrationen von bis zu 15% in der Dampfphase erreicht werden. Um die Stickstoffkonzentration zu reduzieren, wird der argonangereicherte Strom jedoch üblicherweise unterhalb dieser Zwischenstelle abgezogen, wie hier der Fall (Strom m).The division of the low-pressure column into the foot section 2 and the head section 3 and their operation are carried out in such a way that an argon-enriched fraction accumulates in the lower part of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column. This is the area of the so-called argon transition (also referred to as argon belly or argon section). This enrichment, as known to those skilled in the art, results from the volatility of argon, which is between that of nitrogen and that of oxygen. If customary reflux ratios are used in the low-pressure column, the argon transition is above and below the intermediate point at which an oxygen-enriched fraction is fed (streams f and g). Argon concentrations of up to 15% in the vapor phase can be achieved. In order to reduce the nitrogen concentration, however, the argon-enriched stream is usually withdrawn below this intermediate point, as is the case here (stream m).

In der Luftzerlegungsanlage 100 strömt ein Strom I vom oberen Teil des Fußabschnitts 2 der Niederdrucksäule in den Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule in dessen unterem Bereich, wodurch der Fußabschnitt 2 und der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule teilweise funktional gekoppelt werden. In gleicher Höhe wird aus dem Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule ein argonreicher Strom m abgezogen und in den Fußabschnitt 4 der Rohargonsäule eingespeist. Die Einspeisung erfolgt unmittelbar über dem Sumpf des Fußabschnitts 4 der Rohargonsäule. Sumpfflüssigkeit vom Sumpf des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule und vom Sumpf des Fußabschnitts 4 der Rohargonsäule wird über eine Pumpe 18 als Strom n in den Fußabschnitt 2 der Niederdrucksäule zurückgeleitet. Hierdurch wird einerseits die funktionelle Kopplung des ersten Säulenabschnitts 2 und des zweiten Säulenabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule vervollständigt und andererseits die Rohargonsäule über den Fußabschnitt 4 in das Trennsystem eingebunden.In the air separation plant 100, a current I flows from the upper part of the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column into the head section 3 of the low-pressure column in its lower region, whereby the foot section 2 and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column are partially functionally coupled. At the same level, an argon-rich stream m is withdrawn from the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and fed into the foot section 4 of the crude argon column. The feed takes place immediately above the bottom of the foot section 4 of the crude argon column. Bottom liquid from the bottom of the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and from the bottom of the leg section 4 of the crude argon column is returned via a pump 18 as stream n into the root section 2 of the low-pressure column. As a result, on the one hand, the functional coupling of the first column section 2 and the second column section 3 of the low-pressure column is completed and, on the other hand, the crude argon column is integrated into the separation system via the foot section 4.

Der Kopfkondensator 15 des Kopfabschnitts 5 der Rohargonsäule kann als Rücklaufkondensator ausgebildet sein. Gas vom oberen Ende des Kopfabschnitts 5 der Rohargonsäule strömt unten in die Rücklaufpassagen ein und wird dort partiell kondensiert. Das dabei erzeugte Kondensat strömt im Gegenstrom zu dem aufsteigenden Gas in den Rücklaufpassagen nach unten und wird im Kopfabschnitt 5 der Rohargonsäule als flüssiger Rücklauf genutzt. Auf der Verdampfungsseite ist der Kopfkondensator 15 als Badkondensator ausgebildet. Das Kühlfluid, das hier durch die flüssige sauerstoffangereicherte Fraktion aus der Hochdrucksäule 1 gebildet wird, strömt unten über eine oder mehrere seitliche Öffnungen in die Verdampfungspassagen ein und wird dort teilweise verdampft. Durch den Thermosiphoneffekt wird Flüssigkeit mitgerissen, tritt zusammen mit dem verdampften Anteil am oberen Ende der Verdampfungspassagen aus und wird in das Flüssigkeitsbad zurückgeleitet. Der Kopfkondensator 15 ist also auf der Verdampfungsseite als Badverdampfer ausgebildet.The top condenser 15 of the head portion 5 of the crude argon column may be formed as a reflux condenser. Gas from the top of the head portion 5 of the crude argon column flows down into the return passages where it is partially condensed. The condensate generated in this case flows in countercurrent to the rising gas in the return passages down and is used in the head section 5 of the crude argon column as a liquid reflux. On the evaporation side, the top condenser 15 is designed as a bath condenser. The cooling fluid, which is formed here by the liquid oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column 1, flows down through one or more lateral openings in the evaporation passages and is partially evaporated there. Liquid is entrained by the thermosiphon effect, exits along with the vaporized portion at the top of the evaporation passages, and is returned to the liquid bath. The top condenser 15 is thus formed on the evaporation side as a bath evaporator.

Vom oberen Ende der Rücklaufpassagen wird über einen seitlichen Header ein Rohargonstrom n gasförmig entnommen und der Reinargonsäule 6 an einer Zwischenstelle zugeleitet. Der Kopfkondensator 16 der Reinargonsäule 6 ist in dem Beispiel auf der Verflüssigungsseite konventionell ausgeführt, d.h. ein Kopfgasstrom o der Reinargonsäule 6 strömt von oben nach unten durch die Verflüssigungspassagen. (Alternativ könnten auch der Kopfkondensator 16 der Reinargonsäule 6 und/oder der Hauptkondensator 12 als Rücklaufkondensatoren ausgebildet sein.) Vom Kopfkondensator 16 der Reinargonsäule 6 wird ein Restgasstrom p abgezogen und in dem Beispiel in die Atmosphäre (ATM) abgeblasen. Alternativ kann er über ein eigenes Gebläse in die Hochdrucksäule 1 oder die Niederdrucksäule 2, 3 und/oder vor den Luftverdichter zurückgeführt werden.From the upper end of the return passages, a crude argon stream n is taken off in gaseous form via a lateral header and fed to the pure argon column 6 at an intermediate point. The top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6 is conventionally designed in the example on the liquefaction side, ie a top gas stream o of the pure argon column 6 flows from top to bottom through the liquefaction passages. (Alternatively, the top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6 and / or the main condenser 12 could be designed as reflux condenser.) From the top condenser 16 of the pure argon column 6, a residual gas stream p is withdrawn and blown off into the atmosphere (ATM) in the example. Alternatively, it can be returned via its own fan in the high-pressure column 1 or the low-pressure column 2, 3 and / or in front of the air compressor.

Die Sumpfflüssigkeit der Reinargonsäule 6 wird zu einem Teil als Strom p in dem Sumpfverdampfer 14 verdampft und der dabei erzeugte Dampf wird als aufsteigendes Gas in der Reinargonsäule 6 genutzt. Der Rest wird als flüssiger Reinargonproduktstrom q (LAR) entnommen.The bottom liquid of the pure argon column 6 is partially evaporated as stream p in the bottom evaporator 14 and the steam generated is used as ascending gas in the pure argon column 6. The remainder is taken as liquid pure argon product stream q (LAR).

Eine beispielhafte Integration der Komponenten der Luftzerlegungsanlage 100 in entsprechende Coldboxen ist in der Figur 1 durch gestrichelte Linien veranschaulicht. Hierbei bezeichnet A eine erste Coldbox, die zur Aufnahme der Hochdrucksäule 1 und des Fußabschnitts 2 der Niederdrucksäule eingerichtet ist. Eine zweite Coldbox B kann zur Aufnahme des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule eingerichtet sein. Im dargestellten Beispiel ist eine dritte Coldbox C zur Aufnahme des Kopfabschnitts 5 der Rohargonsäule eingerichtet. Wie erläutert, können der Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule und der Kopfabschnitt 5 der Hochdrucksäule (ggf. zusammen mit der Reinargonsäule 6) auch in einer gemeinsamen Coldbox angeordnet sein. Eine derartige Coldbox kann beispielsweise eine Höhe von 40 m aufweisen. Eine vierte Coldbox D ist im dargestellten Beispiel verkleinert gezeigt und weist beispielsweise ebenfalls eine Höhe von 40 m auf.An exemplary integration of the components of the air separation plant 100 in corresponding cold boxes is in the FIG. 1 illustrated by dashed lines. Hereby, A designates a first cold box, which is set up to receive the high-pressure column 1 and the foot section 2 of the low-pressure column. A second cold box B can be set up for receiving the head section 3 of the low-pressure column. In the example shown, a third cold box C is adapted to receive the head section 5 of the crude argon column. As explained, the head section 3 of the low-pressure column and the head section 5 of the high-pressure column (possibly together with the pure argon column 6) can also be arranged in a common coldbox. Such a cold box may for example have a height of 40 m. A fourth coldbox D is shown reduced in size in the illustrated example and, for example, also has a height of 40 m.

In Figur 2 ist eine Luftzerlegungsanlage zur Gewinnung eines Argonprodukts gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung noch stärker schematisiert dargestellt. In dieser Luftzerlegungsanlage sind lediglich die Säulen 2 bis 6 dargestellt, auf eine Darstellung der entsprechenden Verbindungen, Pumpen und Wärmetauscher wurde weitgehend verzichtet. Wie ersichtlich, ist hier im Gegensatz zur Darstellung der Figur 1 ein Fußabschnitt 4 der Rohargonsäule oberhalb des Kopfabschnitts 3 der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet. In dieser alternativen Ausführungsform kann die Unterteilung der Rohargonsäule an einer anderen Stelle als in der Figur dargestellt erfolgen, sofern dies für die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung zweckmäßig ist. Auch hier ergibt sich der Vorteil, dass Fluid vom Fußabschnitt 4 der Rohargonsäule und vom Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule mittels der Pumpe 18 als Strom n in den Fußabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule gepumpt werden kann. Dies gilt auch für alternativ vorgesehene Anordnungen, in denen der Fußabschnitt 4 und/oder der Kopfabschnitt 5 der Rohargonsäule geodätisch zumindest teilweise neben dem Kopfabschnitt 3 der Niederdrucksäule angeordnet ist. Auch alle Säulenabschnitte 1 bis 4 können zumindest teilweise geodätisch nebeneinander angeordnet sein.In FIG. 2 an air separation plant for obtaining an argon product according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown even more schematically. In this air separation plant, only the columns 2 to 6 are shown, on a representation of the corresponding compounds, pumps and heat exchangers was largely dispensed with. As can be seen, here in contrast to the representation of FIG. 1 a foot section 4 of the crude argon column is arranged above the head section 3 of the low-pressure column. In this alternative embodiment, the subdivision of the crude argon column can be made at a different location than shown in the figure, if this is expedient for the arrangement according to the invention. Again, there is the advantage that fluid from the foot section 4 of the crude argon column and the head section 3 of the low-pressure column can be pumped by the pump 18 as stream n in the foot section 3 of the low-pressure column. This also applies to arrangements provided as an alternative, in which the foot section 4 and / or the head section 5 of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically at least partially adjacent to the head section 3 of the low-pressure column. Also, all column sections 1 to 4 can be arranged at least partially geodetically next to each other.

In allen dargestellten Fällen kann über die Wahl der Einbauten in die jeweiligen Säulen (Siebböden, Packungen mit unterschiedlicher Dichte) der Durchmesser der Säulen entsprechend beeinflusst und hierdurch ggf. eine weitere bauliche Anpassung erzielt werden.In all cases shown, the diameter of the columns can be influenced accordingly by the choice of internals in the respective columns (sieve trays, packings with different densities) and, if necessary, a further structural adaptation can be achieved.

Claims (15)

  1. Air separation plant (100) which is designed to obtain an argon-containing product by low-temperature separation of compressed cooled feed air, wherein the air separation plant (100) has a high-pressure column (1), a low-pressure column constructed in a multi-piece manner having a foot section (2) and a top section (3) arranged spatially separate therefrom, and also a crude argon column constructed in a multi-piece manner having a foot section (4) and a top section (5) arranged spatially separate therefrom, wherein, in the high-pressure column (1), at least one oxygen-enriched stream (d) is obtainable from at least a part of the feed air, in the low-pressure column at least one argon-enriched stream (m) is obtainable from at least a part of the oxygen-enriched stream (d), and in the crude argon column, at least one argon-rich stream (n) is obtainable from at least a part of the argon-enriched stream (m), characterized in that the air separation plant has a shared pump (18), by means of which at least one liquid stream (n) from a lower region of the top section (3) of the low-pressure column, and from a lower region of the foot section (4) of the crude argon column is transferrable into an upper region of the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column.
  2. Air separation plant (100) according to Claim 1, in which the foot section (4) and/or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically at least in part next to the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
  3. Air separation plant (100) according to Claim 1, in which the foot section (4) or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
  4. Air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column is arranged in vertical plan view next to the top section (3) thereof and/or the foot section (4) of the crude argon column is arranged in vertical plan view next to the top section (5) thereof.
  5. Air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the high-pressure column (1) is arranged with the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column in a cold box.
  6. Air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the foot section (4) or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged with the top section (3) of the low-pressure column in a cold box.
  7. Air separation plant (100) according to Claim 6, in which at least the cold box having the foot section (2) or the top section (3) of the low-pressure column and the top section (5) of the crude argon column is connectable by means of a piping module to further components of the air separation plant (100).
  8. Air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the high-pressure column (1) and the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column are constructed as a structural unit and are heat-exchangingly connected to one another via a main condenser (12).
  9. Air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which additionally has a pure argon column (6), wherein at least one fluid of the pure argon column is coolable by the oxygen-enriched stream (d).
  10. Method for obtaining an argon-containing product by low temperature separation of compressed cooled feed air in an air separation plant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a high-pressure column (1), a low-pressure column constructed in multi-part form having a foot section (2) and a top section (3) arranged spatially separate therefrom, and also a crude argon column constructed in a multi-part form having a foot section (4) and a top section (5) arranged spatially separate therefrom is used, wherein, in the high-pressure column (1), at least one oxygen-enriched stream (d) is obtained from at least a part of the feed air, in the low-pressure column, at least one argon-enriched stream (m) is obtained from at least a part of the oxygen-enriched stream (d) and in the crude argon column at least one argon-rich stream (n) is obtained from at least a part of the argon-enriched stream (m), and wherein at least one liquid stream (n) is transferrable from a lower region of the top section (3) of the low-pressure column and from a lower region of the foot section (4) of the crude argon column by means of a shared pump (18) to an upper region of the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column.
  11. Method according to Claim 10, in which the foot section (4) and/or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically at least in part next to the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
  12. Method according to Claim 10, in which the foot section (4) or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically completely above the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
  13. Method for generating an air separation plant (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, in which a high-pressure column (1), a low-pressure column constructed in a multi-part manner having a foot section (2) and a top section (3), and also a crude argon column constructed in a multi-part manner having a foot section (4) and a top section (5) is provided, wherein, in addition, a shared pump (18) is provided by means of which at least one liquid stream (n) is transferrable from a lower region of the top section (3) of the low-pressure column and from a lower region of the foot section (4) of the crude argon column to an upper region of the foot section (2) of the low-pressure column.
  14. Method according to Claim 13, in which the foot section (4) and/or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically at least in part next to the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
  15. Method according to Claim 13, in which the foot section (4) or the top section (5) of the crude argon column is arranged geodetically above the top section (3) of the low-pressure column.
EP14716232.5A 2013-03-06 2014-03-05 Air separation plant, method for obtaining a product containing argon, and method for creating an air separation plant Active EP2965029B1 (en)

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US10591209B2 (en) 2020-03-17
KR102178230B1 (en) 2020-11-12
CA2900122C (en) 2023-10-31
CL2015002367A1 (en) 2016-03-04
CN105026862A (en) 2015-11-04
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US20150369535A1 (en) 2015-12-24
JP6257656B2 (en) 2018-01-10
KR20150126001A (en) 2015-11-10
JP2016515188A (en) 2016-05-26
RU2015142384A (en) 2017-04-10
BR112015020093A2 (en) 2017-07-18
CN105026862B (en) 2018-03-27
WO2014135271A2 (en) 2014-09-12

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