US20070000282A1 - Device and method for cryogenically seperating a gas mixture - Google Patents
Device and method for cryogenically seperating a gas mixture Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070000282A1 US20070000282A1 US10/573,903 US57390306A US2007000282A1 US 20070000282 A1 US20070000282 A1 US 20070000282A1 US 57390306 A US57390306 A US 57390306A US 2007000282 A1 US2007000282 A1 US 2007000282A1
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- turbine
- bearings
- unit
- gas
- column
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- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims description 14
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 8
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 48
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 35
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 20
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 3
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000883306 Huso huso Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004880 explosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D25/00—Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, other groups
- F01D25/18—Lubricating arrangements
- F01D25/22—Lubricating arrangements using working-fluid or other gaseous fluid as lubricant
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01D—NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES
- F01D25/00—Component parts, details, or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, other groups
- F01D25/16—Arrangement of bearings; Supporting or mounting bearings in casings
-
- 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
- F25J3/0295—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used, e.g. sieve plates, packings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
- F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
- F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/04309—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
- F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
- F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05D—INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- F05D2240/00—Components
- F05D2240/50—Bearings
- F05D2240/51—Magnetic
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
- F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
- F25J2290/42—Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a unit and to a method of separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation.
- turbines with lubricated bearings for example those lubricated with oil, have two major drawbacks.
- the object of the invention is to dispense with lubricated bearings for the expansion turbines of units for separating gas mixtures by cryogenic distillation by expanding the gas mixture to be separated in a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball bearings or roller bearings), these bearings possibly being periodically greased but not being oiled.
- One subject of the invention is a unit for separating gas by cryogenic distillation, comprising a system of columns, means for sending a gas to be separated to one column of the column system, means for withdrawing at least one product from the column system, means for sending a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, into a turbine with bearings, and means for sending at least one portion of the gas expanded in the turbine to one column of the column system if the expanded gas constitutes at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
- the bearings of the brake generator are of the magnetic type.
- Another subject of the invention is a method of separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation, in which a gas mixture to be separated is sent to a column of a column system, at least one product is withdrawn from the column system, at least one portion of a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, is sent into a turbine with bearings, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
- the turbine is braked by a brake generator whose bearings are unlubricated and the brake generator is driven at the same speed as the turbine.
- FIG. 1 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit in which:
- all the bearings of the shaft are rolling bearings
- pure nitrogen 31 is withdrawn from the top of the minaret, waste nitrogen 33 is withdrawn from the bottom of the minaret and gaseous oxygen 35 is withdrawn from the bottom of the low-pressure column. These three streams are warmed in the exchange line 7 . Part of the waste nitrogen is used for regeneration after a warming step.
- FIG. 2 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit with an air cycle, in which:
- FIG. 3 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit in which:
- the units in question may comprise any possible combination of Claude turbines, blowing turbines and nitrogen turbines, provided that at least one of these turbines is a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball or roller bearings).
- the invention is obviously not limited to processes using a column with a minaret. It applies to any type of air separation method using an expansion turbine, including pumped methods.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
- Magnetic Bearings And Hydrostatic Bearings (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for separating gas by means of cryogenic distillation, comprising a system of columns (13, 15), means for sending gas which is to be separated to a column belonging to said column system, means for drawing off at least one product (31,35) of the column system and means for sending gas from the device (23) into a turbine (11) with bearings wherein the bearings of said turbine are antifriction bearings.
Description
- The present invention relates to a unit and to a method of separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation.
- For a very long time, as described in “Cryogenic Engineering” by Hausen and Linde, pp. 457-461, air gas separation units use turbines with lubricated bearings, these bearings being axial or radial. To produce refrigeration, the turbines expand air or nitrogen with the production of external work, the expansion being of the isotropic type apart from irreversibilities.
- However, turbines with lubricated bearings, for example those lubricated with oil, have two major drawbacks.
- Firstly, there is a risk of the process gas being contaminated with oil should the sealing system along the shaft fail. Such a contamination results in oil migrating into the various items of equipment of the unit (exchangers, pipes, distillation columns, reboiler), the oil possibly tending to concentrate near the main reboiler in the presence of relatively pure oxygen. This could be the cause of a major explosion in the air gas separation unit.
- Secondly, it is thus necessary for economic reasons to install the turbine close to the floor in order to minimize the distances from the oil tank; this constraint is not specific to air gas separation plants but may also apply to gas (H2, He, CH4, etc.) liquifiers or to other gas separation (H2/CO, etc.) units.
- The object of the invention is to dispense with lubricated bearings for the expansion turbines of units for separating gas mixtures by cryogenic distillation by expanding the gas mixture to be separated in a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball bearings or roller bearings), these bearings possibly being periodically greased but not being oiled.
- One subject of the invention is a unit for separating gas by cryogenic distillation, comprising a system of columns, means for sending a gas to be separated to one column of the column system, means for withdrawing at least one product from the column system, means for sending a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, into a turbine with bearings, and means for sending at least one portion of the gas expanded in the turbine to one column of the column system if the expanded gas constitutes at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
- Optionally:
-
- the turbine has unoiled bearings;
- the turbine has unlubricated bearings;
- the gas to be separated contains oxygen and/or nitrogen and/or hydrogen and/or methane and/or carbon monoxide as main components;
- the expanded gas is air, nitrogen or hydrogen,
- the turbine is installed at least one meter above the floor, preferably at least two meters above the floor or even at least five meters above the floor;
- the turbine is braked by a brake booster, possibly of the centrifugal type, placed on the same shaft as the turbine, all the bearings of this common shaft being unlubricated;
- all the bearings of the common shaft are of the rolling bearing type;
- the turbine is braked by a brake generator whose bearings are unlubricated; and
- the bearings of the brake generator are of the magnetic type.
- Another subject of the invention is a method of separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation, in which a gas mixture to be separated is sent to a column of a column system, at least one product is withdrawn from the column system, at least one portion of a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, is sent into a turbine with bearings, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
- Preferably, the turbine is braked by a brake generator whose bearings are unlubricated and the brake generator is driven at the same speed as the turbine.
- The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the figures, which show air separation units according to the invention.
-
FIG. 1 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit in which: -
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium pressure in a compressor 3 and is then purified in a
purification unit 5, which may be of any known type. The air is then divided into twofractions fraction 21 is cooled on flowing through theexchange line 7 and is sent to the bottom of the medium-pressure column 13 in gaseous form; - the remainder of the
air 23 is boosted in a booster 9, cooled in achiller 19 and sent to theexchange line 7 where it is partially cooled before being sent to the blowingturbine 11. This turbine may be a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball or roller bearings); - the
turbine 11 is mounted at least one meter above the floor, preferably at least two meters above the floor or even at least five meters above the floor; - the
turbine 11 is on the same shaft as the booster 9. The booster 9 is preferably of the centrifugal type, having unlubricated bearings.
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium pressure in a compressor 3 and is then purified in a
- Preferably, all the bearings of the shaft are rolling bearings;
-
- alternatively, the booster may be replaced with a generator, again with unlubricated bearings;
- the air expanded in the
turbine 11 is sent into a low-pressure column 15 with a minaret; - a rich-
liquid stream 25, a lower lean-liquid stream 27 and an upper lean-liquid stream 29 are sent from the medium-pressure column 13 to the low-pressure column 15. A purge stream is withdrawn from the condenser-reboiler 17 that connects the two columns; and
-
pure nitrogen 31 is withdrawn from the top of the minaret,waste nitrogen 33 is withdrawn from the bottom of the minaret andgaseous oxygen 35 is withdrawn from the bottom of the low-pressure column. These three streams are warmed in theexchange line 7. Part of the waste nitrogen is used for regeneration after a warming step. -
FIG. 2 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit with an air cycle, in which: -
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium-pressure in a compressor 3 and then purified in a
purification unit 5, which may be of any known type. The air is boosted in a booster 9, cooled in a cooler (not shown) and sent to theexchange line 7 where it is partially cooled before being sent in part to a Claudeturbine 11. This turbine is a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball or roller bearings); - the
turbine 11 is mounted at least one meter above the floor, preferably at least two meters above the floor or even at least five meters above the floor; - the
turbine 11 may be coupled to the booster 9; - the air expanded in the
turbine 11 is partly sent to the medium-pressure column 13 and partly recycled (stream 43) to the booster 9. In the variant embodiment with no cycle, all the air expanded in theturbine 11 is sent to the medium-pressure column; - a rich-
liquid stream 25, a lower lean-liquid stream 27 and an upper lean-liquid stream 29 are sent from the medium-pressure column 13 to the low-pressure column 15. A purge stream is withdrawn from the condenser-reboiler 17 connecting the two columns; -
pure nitrogen 31 is withdrawn from the top of the minaret,waste nitrogen 33 is withdrawn from the bottom of the minaret andgaseous oxygen 35 is withdrawn from the bottom of the low-pressure column. These three streams are warmed in theexchange line 7. Part of the waste nitrogen serves for regeneration after a warming step; and - the unit produces
liquid nitrogen 39 at the top of the medium-pressure column andliquid oxygen 41 at the bottom of the low-pressure column.
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium-pressure in a compressor 3 and then purified in a
-
FIG. 3 shows a cryogenic distillation air separation unit in which: -
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium-pressure in a compressor 3 and then purified in a
purification unit 5, which may be of any known type. The air is cooled on flowing through theexchange line 7 and is sent to the bottom of the medium-pressure column 13 in gaseous form; - a rich-
liquid stream 25, a lower lean-liquid stream 27 and an upper lean-liquid stream 29 are sent from the medium-pressure column 13 to the low-pressure column 15. A purge stream is withdrawn from the condenser-reboiler 17 that connects the two columns; and -
pure nitrogen 31 is withdrawn from the top of the minaret,waste nitrogen 33 is withdrawn from the bottom of the minaret andgaseous oxygen 35 is withdrawn from the bottom of the low-pressure column. These three streams are warmed in theexchange line 7. Part of the waste nitrogen is used for regeneration after a warming step; - medium-
pressure nitrogen 45 is partly warmed in the exchange line before being expanded in theturbine 11. This turbine is a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball or roller bearings). Theturbine 11 is mounted at least one meter above the floor, preferably at least two meters or even at least five meters above the floor. The expanded nitrogen is mixed with thewaste nitrogen 33; and - alternatively, if the low-
pressure column 15 operates at a sufficiently high pressure, it is possible to expand a stream of low-pressure nitrogen in the turbine.
- an air stream 1 is compressed to the medium-pressure in a compressor 3 and then purified in a
- It will be readily understood that the units in question may comprise any possible combination of Claude turbines, blowing turbines and nitrogen turbines, provided that at least one of these turbines is a turbine on bearings (steel or ceramic ball or roller bearings).
- The invention is obviously not limited to processes using a column with a minaret. It applies to any type of air separation method using an expansion turbine, including pumped methods.
Claims (13)
1-12. (canceled)
13: A unit for separating gas by cryogenic distillation, comprising a system of columns, means for sending a gas to be separated to one column of the column system, means for withdrawing at least one product from the column system, means for sending a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, into a turbine with bearings, and means for sending at least one portion of the gas expanded in the turbine to one column of the column system if the expanded gas constitutes at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
14: The unit as claimed in claim 13 , in which the turbine has unoiled bearings.
15: The unit as claimed in claim 14 , in which the turbine has unlubricated bearings.
16: The unit as claimed in claim 13 , in which the gas to be separated contains oxygen and/or nitrogen and/or hydrogen and/or methane and/or carbon monoxide as main components.
17: The unit as claimed in claim 16 , in which the expanded gas is air, nitrogen or hydrogen.
18: The unit as claimed in claim 13 , in which the turbine is installed at least one meter above the floor, preferably at least two meters above the floor or even at least five meters above the floor.
19: The unit as claimed in claim 13 , in which the turbine is braked by a brake booster, possibly of the centrifugal type, placed on the same shaft as the turbine, all the bearings of this common shaft being unlubricated.
20: The unit as claimed in claim 19 , in which all the bearings of the common shaft are of the rolling bearing type.
21: The unit as claimed in claim 13 , in which the turbine is braked by a brake generator whose bearings are unlubricated.
22: The unit as claimed in claim 21 , in which the bearings of the brake generator are of the magnetic type.
23: A method of separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation, in which a gas mixture to be separated is sent to a column of a column system, at least one product is withdrawn from the column system, at least one portion of a gas of the unit, possibly at least one portion of the gas mixture to be separated, is sent into a turbine with bearings, characterized in that the bearings of the turbine are rolling bearings.
24: The method as claimed in claim 23 , in which the turbine is braked by a brake generator whose bearings are unlubricated and the brake generator is driven at the same speed as the turbine.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0350630 | 2003-10-01 | ||
FR0350630A FR2860576A1 (en) | 2003-10-01 | 2003-10-01 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING A GAS MIXTURE BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION |
PCT/FR2004/050450 WO2005033600A1 (en) | 2003-10-01 | 2004-09-21 | Device and method for cryogenically separating a gas mixture |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070000282A1 true US20070000282A1 (en) | 2007-01-04 |
Family
ID=34307552
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/573,903 Abandoned US20070000282A1 (en) | 2003-10-01 | 2004-09-21 | Device and method for cryogenically seperating a gas mixture |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070000282A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1671070A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007507682A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1860339A (en) |
FR (1) | FR2860576A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005033600A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20180149426A1 (en) * | 2016-11-25 | 2018-05-31 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Process for increasing low pressure pure nitrogen production by revamping original apparatus for cryogenic air separation |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP7360909B2 (en) * | 2019-11-18 | 2023-10-13 | 東洋エンジニアリング株式会社 | Hydrogen separation method and hydrogen separation device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2860576A1 (en) | 2005-04-08 |
CN1860339A (en) | 2006-11-08 |
JP2007507682A (en) | 2007-03-29 |
WO2005033600A1 (en) | 2005-04-14 |
EP1671070A1 (en) | 2006-06-21 |
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