FR2787559A1 - Air separation using cryogenic distillation has double column receiving compressed, cooled, and expanded air to produce oxygen rich and nitrogen rich fractions - Google Patents

Air separation using cryogenic distillation has double column receiving compressed, cooled, and expanded air to produce oxygen rich and nitrogen rich fractions Download PDF

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Publication number
FR2787559A1
FR2787559A1 FR9816242A FR9816242A FR2787559A1 FR 2787559 A1 FR2787559 A1 FR 2787559A1 FR 9816242 A FR9816242 A FR 9816242A FR 9816242 A FR9816242 A FR 9816242A FR 2787559 A1 FR2787559 A1 FR 2787559A1
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France
Prior art keywords
column
air
low pressure
oxygen
pressure column
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Pending
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FR9816242A
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French (fr)
Inventor
Bot Patrick Le
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Priority to FR9816242A priority Critical patent/FR2787559A1/en
Publication of FR2787559A1 publication Critical patent/FR2787559A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04387—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using liquid or hydraulic turbine expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04163—Hot end purification of the feed air
    • F25J3/04169—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities
    • F25J3/04175—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities at a pressure of substantially more than the highest pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04309—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F25J3/04315—Lowest pressure or impure nitrogen, so-called waste nitrogen expansion
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04351—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04393—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using multiple or multistage gas work expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04418—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system with thermally overlapping high and low pressure columns
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04436—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using at least a triple pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04454—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using at least a triple pressure main column system a main column system not otherwise provided, e.g. serially coupling of columns or more than three pressure levels
    • 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
    • F25J3/04709—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as an auxiliary column system in at least a dual pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/20—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in an elevated pressure multiple column system wherein the lowest pressure column is at a pressure well above the minimum pressure needed to overcome pressure drop to reject the products to atmosphere
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/34—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using a side column fed by a stream from the low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/40—Features relating to the provision of boil-up in the bottom of a column
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    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
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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
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
    • F25J2200/54—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/50—Oxygen or special cases, e.g. isotope-mixtures or low purity O2
    • F25J2215/52—Oxygen production with multiple purity O2
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    • F25J2215/54—Oxygen production with multiple pressure O2
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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
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
    • F25J2240/20—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream the fluid being oxygen

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

Abstract

In air separation method using cryogenic distillation, air expanded by a turbine also passes through a condenser at the bottom of a low pressure column. In air separation method using cryogenic distillation, the air is compressed, cooled, expanded in a turbine and sent to a medium pressure column of a double column for separation into nitrogen rich and oxygen rich fractions. The fractions are sent to the low pressure column of the two double columns. A fluid containing 80 - 100% oxygen collects in the bottom of the low pressure column or another column. The low pressure column has reboilers at its top and bottom. The air expanded by the turbine also passes through the condenser at the bottom of the low pressure column. An Independent claim is included for an installation for performing the above method. Preferred Features: The oxygen rich liquid from the low pressure column goes to the top of an auxiliary column. Some of the expanded air from the turbine passes through a heat exchanger that vaporizes the oxygen rich liquid. A column producing argon is also coupled to the low pressure column.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé et à une installation deThe present invention relates to a method and an installation for

séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique et en particulier à un procédé de production d'oxygène dans un appareil avec deux rebouilleurs dans la colonne  air separation by cryogenic distillation and in particular to a process for producing oxygen in an apparatus with two reboilers in the column

basse pression d'une double colonne.  low pressure of a double column.

EP-A-0 770 840 décrit un appareil à double condenseur avec une  EP-A-0 770 840 describes a double condenser device with a

turbine Claude.Claude turbine.

EP-A-0 538 117 décrit un procédé de production d'oxygène à deux puretés différentes avec une double colonne comprenant une colonne moyenne pression et une colonne basse pression reliées thermiquement. La colonne basse pression contient un rebouilleur inférieur chauffé par de l'air et  EP-A-0 538 117 describes a method for producing oxygen with two different purities with a double column comprising a medium pressure column and a low pressure column thermally connected. The low pressure column contains a lower reboiler heated by air and

un rebouilleur supérieur chauffé par l'azote de la colonne moyenne pression.  an upper reboiler heated by nitrogen from the medium pressure column.

De l'oxygène à pureté moyenne est soutiré entre les deux rebouilleurs et de l'oxygène liquide à haute pression est soutiré en cuve de la colonne basse pression. US-A-5678247 mentionne une installation comprenant une double colonne et une colonne auxiliaire alimentée à partir de la colonne basse pression. De l'azote moyenne pression chauffe les deux rebouilleurs de la colonne basse pression, après une étape de détente dans le cas du rebouilleur supérieur. Le rebouilleur de cuve de la colonne auxiliaire est chauffé par un gaz intermédiaire de la colonne moyenne pression. L'oxygène haute pureté (au-dessus de 98,5 mole %) est soutiré en cuve de la colonne auxiliaire sous forme liquide et l'oxygène moyenne pureté est soutiré en cuve de la colonne  Medium purity oxygen is drawn between the two reboilers and high pressure liquid oxygen is drawn from the bottom of the low pressure column. US-A-5678247 mentions an installation comprising a double column and an auxiliary column supplied from the low pressure column. Medium pressure nitrogen heats the two reboilers of the low pressure column, after an expansion step in the case of the upper reboiler. The tank reboiler of the auxiliary column is heated by an intermediate gas from the medium pressure column. The high purity oxygen (above 98.5 mol%) is drawn off in the bottom of the auxiliary column in liquid form and the medium purity oxygen is drawn off in the bottom of the column

basse pression.low pressure.

Un but de l'invention est de pallier les défauts de l'art antérieur et en particulier de réduire les besoins énergétiques. En particulier le procédé permet la production d'oxygène pur en grandes quantités avec une très basse  An object of the invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and in particular to reduce the energy requirements. In particular the process allows the production of pure oxygen in large quantities with a very low

consommation d'énergie.energy consumption.

Selon un aspect de l'invention il est prévu un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans un système de colonnes dans lequel I,I]I-i i a) on comprime de l'air, on le refroidit dans un échangeur, on le détend dans une turbine et on l'envoie à la colonne moyenne pression d'une double colonne, b) on sépare l'air en une fraction enrichie en oxygène et une fraction enrichie en azote c) on envoie un fluide enrichi en oxygène et un fluide enrichi en azote de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression d) on soutire un fluide contenant entre 80 et substantiellement 100 % d'oxygène de la colonne basse pression ou d'une autre colonne du système e) on envoie de l'air comprimé à un rebouilleur de cuve de la colonne basse pression f) on envoie du gaz enrichi en azote à un deuxième rebouilleur de la colonne basse pression caractérisé en ce que l'on envoie de l'air détendu de la turbine au  According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of air separation by cryogenic distillation in a column system in which I, I] Ii ia) is compressed air, it is cooled in an exchanger, it is expands in a turbine and it is sent to the medium pressure column of a double column, b) the air is separated into a fraction enriched in oxygen and a fraction enriched in nitrogen c) a fluid enriched in oxygen and a fluid enriched in nitrogen from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column d) a fluid containing between 80 and substantially 100% oxygen is withdrawn from the low pressure column or from another column of the system e) is sent compressed air to a reboiler in the low-pressure column f) nitrogen-enriched gas is sent to a second reboiler for the low-pressure column, characterized in that expanded air is sent from the turbine to the

rebouilleur de cuve.tank reboiler.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention: - tout ou une partie de l'air détendu est envoyé de la turbine au  According to other optional aspects of the invention: - all or part of the expanded air is sent from the turbine to the

rebouilleur de cuve.tank reboiler.

- tout l'air envoyé au rebouilleur de cuve est ensuite envoyé à la  - all the air sent to the tank reboiler is then sent to the

colonne moyenne pression et/ou à la colonne basse pression.  medium pressure column and / or low pressure column.

- une partie de l'air se liquéfie ou se pseudo-liquéfie dans l'échangeur  - part of the air liquefies or pseudo-liquefies in the exchanger

avant d'être envoyé à la double colonne.  before being sent to the double column.

- on envoie du liquide enrichi en oxygène de la cuve de la colonne  - liquid enriched in oxygen is sent from the column tank

basse pression à la tête d'une colonne auxiliaire.  low pressure at the head of an auxiliary column.

- on soutire de l'oxygène en cuve de la colonne basse pression et/ou  - oxygen is drawn off from the bottom of the low pressure column and / or

en cuve de la colonne auxiliaire.at the bottom of the auxiliary column.

- I'oxygène est soutiré sous forme liquide et vaporisé dans l'échangeur  - oxygen is drawn off in liquid form and vaporized in the exchanger

principal ou un autre échangeur, éventuellement après pressurisation.  main or another exchanger, possibly after pressurization.

- on alimente une colonne argon à partir de la colonne basse pression ou la colonne auxiliaire - on produit de l'oxygène impur ou pur sous forme liquide et/ou de  - an argon column is supplied from the low pressure column or the auxiliary column - impure or pure oxygen is produced in liquid form and / or

l'azote liquide et/ou de l'argon liquide.  liquid nitrogen and / or liquid argon.

Selon l'invention il est également prévu une installation de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant i) un système de colonnes comportant une double colonne comprenant une colonne moyenne pression et une colonne basse pression ayant un rebouilleur de cuve et un deuxième rebouilleur ii) un échangeur de chaleur iii) une turbine iv) des moyens pour envoyer l'air à l'échangeur, de l'échangeur à la turbine et de la turbine à la colonne moyenne pression vi) des moyens pour envoyer un gaz enrichi en azote au deuxième rebouilleur vii) des moyens pour envoyer de l'air au rebouilleur de cuve viii) des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en oxygène de la colonne basse pression ou d'une autre colonne du système caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour envoyer de l'air de la turbine à la colonne moyenne pression relient la turbine, le rebouilleur de cuve et la  According to the invention, an air separation installation is also provided by cryogenic distillation comprising i) a column system comprising a double column comprising a medium pressure column and a low pressure column having a tank reboiler and a second reboiler ii) a heat exchanger iii) a turbine iv) means for sending air to the exchanger, from the exchanger to the turbine and from the turbine to the medium pressure column vi) means for sending a nitrogen-enriched gas to the second reboiler vii) means for sending air to the tank reboiler viii) means for withdrawing an oxygen-enriched fluid from the low pressure column or from another column of the system characterized in that the means for sending air air from the turbine to the medium pressure column connects the turbine, the tank reboiler and the

colonne moyenne pression.medium pressure column.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs de l'invention, il est prévu: - des moyens pour envoyer tout ou une partie de l'air détendu de la  According to other optional aspects of the invention, provision is made: - means for sending all or part of the expanded air from the

turbine au rebouilleur de cuve.turbine to the tank reboiler.

- des moyens pour envoyer tout l'air envoyé au condenseur de cuve  - means for sending all the air sent to the tank condenser

ensuite à la colonne moyenne pression.  then to the medium pressure column.

- des moyens pour envoyer du liquide enrichi en oxygène de la cuve de  - means for sending oxygen-enriched liquid from the

la colonne basse pression à la tête d'une colonne auxiliaire.  the low pressure column at the head of an auxiliary column.

- des moyens pour soutirer de l'oxygène en cuve de la colonne basse  - means for withdrawing oxygen from the bottom column tank

pression et en cuve de la colonne auxiliaire.  pressure and tank of the auxiliary column.

- des moyens pour vaporiser l'oxygène soutiré sous forme liquide.  - Means for vaporizing the oxygen withdrawn in liquid form.

- une colonne argon alimentée à partir de la colonne basse pression ou  - an argon column supplied from the low pressure column or

la colonne auxiliaire.the auxiliary column.

l Ji i lî) g'i ' - des moyens pour produire de l'oxygène impur ou pur sous forme  l Ji i lî) g'i '- means for producing impure or pure oxygen in the form

liquide et/ou de l'azote liquide et/ou de l'argon liquide.  liquid and / or liquid nitrogen and / or liquid argon.

Des exemples de mise en oeuvre de l'invention vont maintenant etre décrits en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels les figures 1 et 2 représentent schématiquement deux modes de réalisation de l'installation de  Examples of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent two embodiments of the installation of

distillation de l'air selon l'invention.  air distillation according to the invention.

La figure 1 montre un appareil de séparation avec une double colonne 1, comprenant une colonne moyenne pression 2 et une colonne basse  Figure 1 shows a separation device with a double column 1, comprising a medium pressure column 2 and a low column

pression 3, et une colonne argon 4.pressure 3, and an argon column 4.

Ce système peut etre utilisé pour produire de l'oxygène impur (en  This system can be used to produce impure oxygen (in

dessous de 98,5 %) ou pur (en dessus de 98,5 %).  below 98.5%) or pure (above 98.5%).

De l'air 5 est envoyé à l'échangeur de chaleur 7 et après un refroidissement partiel est divisé en deux. La partie 9 constituant de 70 à 90 % de l'air est envoyée à une turbine Claude 11 dans laquelle elle se détend à une  Air 5 is sent to the heat exchanger 7 and after partial cooling is divided into two. Part 9 constituting 70 to 90% of the air is sent to a Claude 11 turbine in which it expands to a

pression légèrement au-dessus de la pression de la colonne 2 (3,5-4 bars).  pressure slightly above the pressure in column 2 (3.5-4 bar).

Elle est envoyée ensuite au rebouilleur de cuve 13 de la colonne basse  It is then sent to the tank reboiler 13 of the lower column

pression 3 o elle se condense partiellement.  pressure 3 o it partially condenses.

L'air partiellement condensé est envoyé par la conduite 15 en la partie inférieure de la colonne moyenne pression et il s'y sépare en un liquide enrichi  The partially condensed air is sent through line 15 at the bottom of the medium pressure column and separates therein into an enriched liquid

en oxygène ("liquide riche") et un gaz enrichi en azote.  in oxygen ("rich liquid") and a gas enriched in nitrogen.

Eventuellement de l'air peut être envoyé directement de la turbine Claude 11 à la colonne moyenne pression (en pointillés). Dans ce cas l'air  Optionally, air can be sent directly from the Claude 11 turbine to the medium pressure column (dotted lines). In this case the air

envoyé au rebouilleur de cuve 13 se condense totalement.  sent to the tank reboiler 13 condenses completely.

Le reste de l'air 17 (10 à 30 % de l'air) se condense ou se pseudo condense dans l'échangeur 7 et est divisé en deux fractions liquides dont une est envoyée à la colonne moyenne pression 2 et l'autre à la colonne basse  The rest of the air 17 (10 to 30% of the air) condenses or pseudo-condenses in the exchanger 7 and is divided into two liquid fractions, one of which is sent to the medium pressure column 2 and the other to the lower column

pression 3 après détente dans une vanne.  pressure 3 after expansion in a valve.

Le gaz enrichi en azote 19 est divisé en deux. Une partie 21 se réchauffe dans l'échangeur 7 et le reste se condense dans le condenseur 23 quelques plateaux théoriques au-dessus du condenseur 13. L'azote condensé  The nitrogen-enriched gas 19 is divided into two. Part 21 heats up in exchanger 7 and the rest condenses in condenser 23 some theoretical plates above condenser 13. Condensed nitrogen

sert de reflux dans les deux colonnes 2, 3.  serves as a reflux in the two columns 2, 3.

I II111111 'I II111111 '

Un débit enrichi en argon 25 soutiré entre les deux condenseurs 13, 23  A flow enriched in argon 25 drawn between the two condensers 13, 23

alimente une colonne argon 4.feeds an argon column 4.

Le condenseur de tête 27 de la colonne argon 4 est refroidi par du  The overhead condenser 27 of the argon column 4 is cooled by

liquide riche provenant de la colonne 2.  rich liquid from column 2.

De l'oxygène liquide 29 contentant entre 80 et 99.99 % oxygène est soutiré en cuve de la colonne 3, est pressurisé par la pompe 31 et se vaporise  Liquid oxygen 29 containing between 80 and 99.99% oxygen is drawn off in the tank of column 3, is pressurized by the pump 31 and is vaporized

en 33 par échange de chaleur avec l'air 17.  at 33 by heat exchange with air 17.

De l'azote basse pression 33 à 1,35-1,4 bars soutiré en tête de la  Low pressure nitrogen 33 at 1.35-1.4 bar withdrawn at the top of the

colonne basse pression 3 se réchauffe dans l'échangeur 7.  low pressure column 3 heats up in exchanger 7.

o0 De l'oxygène liquide est produit via la conduite 35.  o0 Liquid oxygen is produced via line 35.

Le procédé permet également de produire de l'azote liquide et de  The process also produces liquid nitrogen and

l'argon liquide.liquid argon.

L'installation peut comprendre un troisième condenseur entre les condenseurs 13, 23 pour condenser un gaz moins volatil que l'azote 19 est  The installation may include a third condenser between the condensers 13, 23 to condense a gas less volatile than nitrogen 19 is

plus volatil que l'air (par exemple un gaz intermédiaire de la colonne 2).  more volatile than air (for example an intermediate gas in column 2).

La figure 2 comprend les mêmes éléments que la figure 1 mais illustre un procédé capable de produire de l'oxygène plus pur. Une partie 37 de l'oxygène liquide à 95 % est envoyée en tête de la colonne auxiliaire 39 et un gaz 38 est renvoyé à la colonne basse pression 3. Un débit 41 de l'oxygène liquide à 99,5 % est soutiré en cuve de la colonne 39. L'oxygène 55 est pressurisé par une pompe 57 est envoyé en 59 à l'échangeur 7 o il se vaporise. L'oxygène peut éventuellement se vaporiser en dehors de la ligne d'échange principal 7 dans un échangeur dédié par échange de chaleur avec  Figure 2 includes the same elements as Figure 1 but illustrates a process capable of producing purer oxygen. A portion 37 of 95% liquid oxygen is sent to the head of the auxiliary column 39 and a gas 38 is returned to the low pressure column 3. A flow 41 of 99.5% liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the tank from column 39. The oxygen 55 is pressurized by a pump 57 is sent at 59 to the exchanger 7 where it vaporizes. Oxygen can optionally vaporize outside the main exchange line 7 in a dedicated exchanger by heat exchange with

un seul débit tel que de l'air.a single flow such as air.

Un débit d'azote basse pression 47 et un débit d'azote moyenne  Low pressure nitrogen flow 47 and medium nitrogen flow

pression 43 sont comprimés dans un compresseur 45 couplé à la turbine 11.  pressure 43 are compressed in a compressor 45 coupled to the turbine 11.

Le débit comprimé 49 à entre 4,5 et 5 bars est de nouveau refroidi dans l'échangeur 7, chauffe un rebouilleur de cuve 51 de la colonne 39 et s'y  The compressed flow 49 at between 4.5 and 5 bars is again cooled in the exchanger 7, heats a tank reboiler 51 of the column 39 and there

condense.condenses.

De l'azote liquide 53 est ainsi produit et peut être pressurisé et  Liquid nitrogen 53 is thus produced and can be pressurized and

vaporisé dans l'échangeur 7.vaporized in the exchanger 7.

Le reste de l'azote liquide sert de reflux dans la colonne moyenne  The rest of the liquid nitrogen serves as reflux in the middle column

pression 3.pressure 3.

La figure 3 illustre un moyen alternatif pour chauffer la colonne auxiliaire dans le cas o la colonne basse pression opère au-dessus de 1, 5 bars. Dans l'exemple la colonne moyenne pression opère à 12 bar, la  FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative means for heating the auxiliary column in the case where the low pressure column operates above 1.5 bars. In the example, the medium pressure column operates at 12 bar, the

colonne basse pression à 5 bar et la colonne auxiliaire à 1,5 bar.  low pressure column at 5 bar and the auxiliary column at 1.5 bar.

1o L'oxygène liquide soutiré en cuve à 5 bar est détendu dans une vanne  1o The liquid oxygen withdrawn from the tank at 5 bar is expanded in a valve

ou une turbine à 1,5 bar avant d'etre envoyé à la tete de la colonne auxiliaire.  or a turbine at 1.5 bar before being sent to the head of the auxiliary column.

La colonne auxiliaire a un rebouilleur de cuve 51 et un condenseur de  The auxiliary column has a tank reboiler 51 and a condenser

tete 63.head 63.

De l'azote 61 du minaret de la colonne basse pression chauffe le rebouilleur 51 et l'azote condensé est recyclé en partie au minaret. Une partie de l'azote condensé sert à refroidir le condenseur de tete 63, I'azote gazeux  Nitrogen 61 from the minaret of the low pressure column heats the reboiler 51 and the condensed nitrogen is partially recycled to the minaret. Part of the condensed nitrogen is used to cool the head condenser 63, the nitrogen gas

produit étant envoyé au refoulement de la turbine 71.  product being sent to the discharge of turbine 71.

L'azote 33 du dessous du minaret est détendu dans la turbine 71 avec une turbine ayant une température d'entrée plus élevée que la température de I'entrée de la turbine Claude 11. La turbine 71 peut être couplée à un  The nitrogen 33 below the minaret is expanded in the turbine 71 with a turbine having an inlet temperature higher than the inlet temperature of the Claude 11 turbine. The turbine 71 can be coupled to a

compresseur du système.system compressor.

Les trois figures peuvent être modifiées pour ajouter: - un rebouilleur intermédiaire dans la colonne basse pression - la vaporisation d'azote liquide pompé - des compresseurs en aval des pompes - d'autres moyens de production de frigories: biberonnage, machines de détente (deuxième turbine Claude, turbine d'azote moyenne pression, turbine d'insufflation, turbines hydraulique) - un surpresseur d'air en amont de la turbine Claude - des soutirages de fluides enrichis en oxygène entre les rebouilleurs I'intégration de la colonne auxiliaire et la colonne basse pression en une seule structure - I'alimentation de la colonne argon à partir de la colonne auxiliaire - une colonne Etienne - une colonne de mélange Les colonnes de distillation 2, 3, 4 et 39 contiennent de préférence des garnissages structurés de type ondulé-croisé qui peuvent etre du type décrit en EP-A- 0845293. Elles peuvent cependant contenir des plateaux ou des  The three figures can be modified to add: - an intermediate reboiler in the low pressure column - the vaporization of pumped liquid nitrogen - compressors downstream of the pumps - other means of producing frigories: bottle feeding, expansion machines (second Claude turbine, medium pressure nitrogen turbine, insufflation turbine, hydraulic turbines) - an air booster upstream of the Claude turbine - withdrawals of oxygen-enriched fluids between reboilers integration of the auxiliary column and the low pressure column in a single structure - feeding the argon column from the auxiliary column - a Etienne column - a mixing column The distillation columns 2, 3, 4 and 39 preferably contain structured packings of corrugated type -crossed which can be of the type described in EP-A-0845293. They can however contain trays or

garnissages d'autre types.packing of other types.

Le rebouilleur 51 peut être chauffé avec de l'air plutôt qu'avec de l'azote.  Reboiler 51 can be heated with air rather than nitrogen.

La colonne d'argon 4 est bien évidemment facultative.  The argon column 4 is obviously optional.

Claims (17)

REVENDICATIONS 1. Procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans un système de colonnes dans lequel a) on comprime de l'air, on le refroidit dans un échangeur (7), on le détend dans une turbine (11) et on l'envoie à la colonne moyenne pression (2) d'une double colonne (1), b) on sépare l'air en une fraction enrichie en oxygène et une fraction enrichie en azote c) on envoie un fluide enrichi en oxygène et un fluide enrichi en azote de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression (3) d) on soutire un fluide enrichi en oxygène en cuve de la colonne basse pression ou d'autre colonne du système contenant entre 80 % et substantiellement 100 % d'oxygène e) on envoie de l'air comprimé à un rebouilleur de cuve (13) de la colonne basse pression f) on envoie du gaz enrichi en azote à un deuxième rebouilleur (23) de la colonne basse pression caractérisé en ce que l'on envoie de l'air détendu de la turbine (11) au  1. Method of air separation by cryogenic distillation in a column system in which a) air is compressed, it is cooled in an exchanger (7), it is expanded in a turbine (11) and it is sends to the medium pressure column (2) a double column (1), b) the air is separated into an oxygen-enriched fraction and a nitrogen-enriched fraction c) an oxygen-enriched fluid and an enriched fluid are sent in nitrogen from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column (3) d) an oxygen-enriched fluid is withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column or other column of the system containing between 80% and substantially 100% oxygen e ) compressed air is sent to a tank reboiler (13) of the low pressure column f) nitrogen enriched gas is sent to a second reboiler (23) of the low pressure column characterized in that we send expanded air from the turbine (11) to the rebouilleur de cuve de la colonne basse pression.  low pressure column tank reboiler. 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel tout ou une partie de  2. Method according to claim 1 wherein all or part of l'air détendu est envoyé de la turbine (11) au rebouilleur de cuve (13).  the expanded air is sent from the turbine (11) to the tank reboiler (13). 3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel tout l'air envoyé  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein all the air sent au condenseur de cuve est ensuite envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression (2).  to the tank condenser is then sent to the medium pressure column (2). 4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein une partie de l'air (17) se liquéfie ou se pseudo liquéfie dans l'échangeur (7)  part of the air (17) liquefies or pseudo liquefies in the exchanger (7) avant d'être envoyé à la double colonne.  before being sent to the double column. 5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel on  5. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein envoie du liquide enrichi en oxygène de la cuve de la colonne basse pression  sends oxygen-enriched liquid from the low pressure column tank à la tête d'une colonne auxiliaire.  at the head of an auxiliary column. Ii ir l:l.Ii ir l: l. 6. Procédé selon la revendication 5 dans lequel on soutire de l'oxygène liquide en cuve de la colonne basse pression et/ou en cuve de la colonne auxiliaire.  6. Method according to claim 5 wherein liquid oxygen is drawn off from the bottom of the low pressure column and / or from the bottom of the auxiliary column. 7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel de  7. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein l'oxygène est soutiré sous forme liquide de la colonne auxiliaire et/ou de la colonne basse pression et vaporisé dans l'échangeur (7) ou un autre échangeur.  the oxygen is withdrawn in liquid form from the auxiliary column and / or from the low pressure column and vaporized in the exchanger (7) or another exchanger. 8. Procédé selon une des revendications précédentes dans lequel on  8. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein alimente une colonne argon à partir de la colonne basse pression.  feeds an argon column from the low pressure column. 9. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel on  9. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein produit de l'oxygène impur ou pur sous forme liquide et/ou de l'azote liquide  produces impure or pure oxygen in liquid form and / or liquid nitrogen et/ou de l'argon liquide.and / or liquid argon. 10. Installation de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant i) un système de colonnes comportant une double colonne (1) comprenant une colonne moyenne pression (2) et une colonne basse pression (3) ayant un rebouilleur de cuve (13) et un deuxième rebouilleur (23) ii) un échangeur de chaleur (7) iii) une turbine (11) iv) des moyens pour envoyer l'air à l'échangeur, de l'échangeur à la turbine et de la turbine à la colonne moyenne pression vi) des moyens pour envoyer un gaz enrichi en azote au deuxième rebouilleur (23) vii) des moyens pour envoyer de l'air au rebouilleur de cuve (13) viii) des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en oxygène de la colonne basse pression (3) ou d'une autre colonne du système caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour envoyer de l'air de la turbine à la colonne moyenne pression (2) relient la turbine, le rebouilleur de cuve (23)  10. Installation for air separation by cryogenic distillation comprising i) a column system comprising a double column (1) comprising a medium pressure column (2) and a low pressure column (3) having a tank reboiler (13) and a second reboiler (23) ii) a heat exchanger (7) iii) a turbine (11) iv) means for sending air to the exchanger, from the exchanger to the turbine and from the turbine to the column medium pressure vi) means for sending a nitrogen-enriched gas to the second reboiler (23) vii) means for sending air to the tank reboiler (13) viii) means for withdrawing an oxygen-enriched fluid from the column low pressure (3) or another column of the system characterized in that the means for sending air from the turbine to the medium pressure column (2) connect the turbine, the tank reboiler (23) et la colonne moyenne pression.and the medium pressure column. TF ii1 TF T;  TF ii1 TF T; 11. Installation selon la revendication 10 comprenant des moyens pour envoyer tout ou une partie de l'air de la turbine (11) au rebouilleur de cuve (13).11. Installation according to claim 10 comprising means for sending all or part of the air from the turbine (11) to the tank reboiler (13). 12. Installation selon la revendication 10 ou 11 comprenant des moyens pour envoyer tout l'air envoyé au condenseur de cuve ensuite à la12. Installation according to claim 10 or 11 comprising means for sending all the air sent to the tank condenser then to the colonne moyenne pression (2).medium pressure column (2). 13. Installation selon l'une des revendications10 à 12 comprenant des  13. Installation according to one of claims 10 to 12 comprising moyens pour on envoie du liquide enrichi en oxygène de la cuve de la colonne  means for sending oxygen-enriched liquid from the column tank basse pression à la tête d'une colonne auxiliaire.  low pressure at the head of an auxiliary column. 14. Installation selon la revendication 13 comprenant des moyens pour soutirer de l'oxygène en cuve de la colonne basse pression et /ou en cuve de  14. Installation according to claim 13 comprising means for withdrawing oxygen from the bottom of the low pressure column and / or from the bottom of la colonne auxiliaire.the auxiliary column. 15. Installation selon l'une des revendications 10 à 14 comprenant des  15. Installation according to one of claims 10 to 14 comprising moyens (7) pour vaporiser l'oxygène soutiré sous forme liquide.  means (7) for vaporizing the oxygen withdrawn in liquid form. 16. Installation selon une des revendications 10 à 15 comprenant une  16. Installation according to one of claims 10 to 15 comprising a colonne argon alimentée à partir de la colonne basse pression ou la colonne auxiliaire.  argon column fed from the low pressure column or the auxiliary column. 17. Installation selon l'une des revendications 10 à 16 comprenant des  17. Installation according to one of claims 10 to 16 comprising moyens pour produire de l'oxygène liquide et/ou de l'azote liquide et/ou de  means for producing liquid oxygen and / or liquid nitrogen and / or I'argon liquide comme produit final.  Liquid argon as a final product.
FR9816242A 1998-12-22 1998-12-22 Air separation using cryogenic distillation has double column receiving compressed, cooled, and expanded air to produce oxygen rich and nitrogen rich fractions Pending FR2787559A1 (en)

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