US20070186582A1 - Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus - Google Patents

Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070186582A1
US20070186582A1 US10/583,599 US58359904A US2007186582A1 US 20070186582 A1 US20070186582 A1 US 20070186582A1 US 58359904 A US58359904 A US 58359904A US 2007186582 A1 US2007186582 A1 US 2007186582A1
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air
unit
motor
column
speed
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Alain Guillard
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LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Assigned to L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SURVEILLANCE POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE reassignment L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SURVEILLANCE POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHOLLAT, JEAN-JACQUES, GUILLARD, ALAIN, LIBARRE, ALAIN, PONTONE, XAVIER
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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
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
    • F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
    • F25J3/04818—Start-up of the process
    • 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
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04018—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of main feed air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04024—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of purified feed air, so-called boosted air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
    • F25J3/04115—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F25J3/04133—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
    • 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
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
    • F25J3/04139—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor 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
    • F25J3/04—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
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04381—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion so-called companders
    • 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
    • F25J3/0446—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 the heat generated by mixing two different phases
    • F25J3/04466—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 the heat generated by mixing two different phases for producing oxygen as a mixing column overhead gas by mixing gaseous air feed and liquid 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
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04527—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general
    • F25J3/04551—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the metal production
    • 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
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04593—The air gas consuming unit is also fed by an air stream
    • F25J3/046—Completely integrated air feed compression, i.e. common MAC
    • 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
    • F25J2200/04—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J2200/06—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flow-sheet, 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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/42—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams the fluid being nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air separation unit, to an integrated air-separation/metal production installation and to a method of starting up such an air separation unit.
  • the pressure of the air gradually increases up to a pressure that allows the booster compressor for compressing the air intended for the air separation to start.
  • One subject of the invention is an air separation unit comprising a system of columns, means for feeding the unit at least partly with compressed air coming from at least one booster compressor, means for purifying and cooling the air, means for sending it to one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor having at least two nominal rotation speeds.
  • the variation in the frequency of the supply and/or of the load means that the motor having a nominal speed of x revolutions will turn in fact at about this speed within a range of ⁇ 5% at most.
  • Another subject of the invention is an integrated air-separation/metal-production installation comprising an air separation unit, a metal production unit, a main compressor that compresses air intended for the air separation unit and air intended for the metal production unit, the air separation unit being of the type defined above, means for sending air from the main compressor to the booster compressor and means for sending the gaseous product coming from the air separation unit to the metal production unit.
  • Another subject of the invention is a method of starting up an air-separation/metal-production installation comprising a system of columns, means for feeding a booster compressor with compressed air and means for sending air from the booster compressor to at least one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system in order to send it to the metal production unit, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor and in that, during a startup period of the metal production unit, the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
  • the rotation speed of the motor may be adjusted by various means:
  • FIG. 1 shows a metal treatment unit, in this example a blast furnace BF, and an air distillation unit comprising an exchange line EL, a double column DC and a mixing column MC, the blast furnace and the air distillation unit both being fed with air by a blower C that typically produces more than 100 000 Sm 3 /h of air at a pressure of at least 6 bar, typically between 3 and 5.5 bar.
  • the blower C may feed other units.
  • the air intended for the blast furnace BF is heated and sent to the blast furnace after having been mixed with a stream of oxygen O coming from the air separation unit.
  • the air distillation unit shown in FIG. 1 is intended to produce low-purity oxygen in a first operation, for example with a purity of 80 to 97% and preferably 85 to 95% at a specified pressure P different from 7 bar, for example at 2 to 6 bar, or else at a pressure above 7 bar by at least 2 bar and possibly up to 14 bar, preferably between 9 and 14 bar.
  • the double distillation column DC itself comprises a medium-pressure column MPC, a low-pressure column LPC and a main reboiler/condenser.
  • the columns MPC and LPC typically operate at about 6 bar and about 1.2 bar, respectively.
  • a mixing column is a column that has the same structure as a distillation column but is used for mixing, in a manner close to reversibility, a relatively volatile gas introduced at the bottom of the column with a less volatile liquid introduced at the top of the column.
  • Such mixing generates refrigeration energy and therefore makes it possible to reduce the consumption of energy associated with the distillation.
  • this mixing is also profitably used for direct production of impure oxygen at the pressure P, as will be explained below.
  • the air intended for the distillation is cooled by a cooler CL and purified by a purification unit PU. Next, it is divided into two streams.
  • the stream L is boosted in a booster compressor C 2 up to a pressure of 6 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and then cooled in the exchange line EL and introduced into the bottom of the mixing column MC.
  • the other stream J is sent to the exchange line EL, partially cooled and divided into two. One portion is sent to the medium-pressure column MPC after being cooled right to the cold end of the exchange line and the other portion is expanded to the low pressure in a turbine T and then injected into the low-pressure column LPC at an intermediate point.
  • the booster compressor C 2 is driven by a variable-speed motor M with at least two nominal speeds.
  • This motor may be of the Dahlander type with two or three speeds, as described in Memotech Electrotechnique de Bourgeois et Cogniel, published by Educalivre, page 295.
  • the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
  • the booster compressor may also be driven by a turbine, such as a steam turbine.
  • “Rich liquid” oxygen-enriched air
  • “Lean liquid” pure nitrogen withdrawn at an intermediate point from the column MPC, is, after being expanded in an expansion valve, introduced into the top of the column LPC.
  • Nitrogen N constituting the waste gas of the unit, and possibly pure gaseous nitrogen at the medium pressure produced at the top of the column MPC are warmed in the exchange line EL and discharged from the unit.
  • Liquid oxygen the purity of which depends on the setting of the double column DC, is withdrawn from the bottom of the column LPC, brought by a pump W to a pressure P 1 slightly above the aforementioned pressure P, in order to take into account the pressure drops (P 1 ⁇ P, for example less than 1 ⁇ 10 5 Pa), and introduced into the top of the column MC.
  • P 1 is therefore advantageously between 4-6 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 30 ⁇ 10 5 Pa, preferably between 8 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 16 ⁇ 10 5 Pa.
  • FIG. 1 also shows auxiliary heat exchangers for recovering the refrigeration available in the fluids circulating in the unit.
  • all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C 1 driven by a variable-speed motor M.
  • the boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU, cooled and divided into two portions.
  • One portion of the air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column MC in a booster compressor c coupled to the blowing turbine T which is fed by one portion of the rest of the air.
  • FIG. 3 as in FIG. 2 , all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C 1 driven by a variable-speed motor M.
  • the boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU and a portion L of the purified air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column in a second booster compressor C 2 also coupled to a motor M′, possibly a variable-speed motor.
  • This air is cooled in the exchange line EL and sent to the mixing column MC.
  • the remainder J of the air coming from the purification unit is partially cooled and divided into two portions. One portion of the air is sent to a turbine T and then to the low-pressure column LPC.
  • the remainder of the air continues to be cooled in the exchange line EL and is sent in gaseous form to the medium-pressure column.
  • the turbine T is driven by a low-pressure nitrogen compressor c.
  • the double column may be fed by means of the blower, while the mixing column is fed by means of a dedicated compressor, or otherwise.
  • the booster compressor may be used to feed the mixing column and/or the mixing column.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
US10/583,599 2003-12-22 2004-12-16 Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus Pending US20070186582A1 (en)

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FR0351157A FR2864214B1 (fr) 2003-12-22 2003-12-22 Appareil de separation d'air, appareil integre de separation d'air et de production d'un metal et procede de demarrage d'un tel appareil de separation d'air
FR0351157 2003-12-22
PCT/FR2004/050702 WO2005064251A1 (fr) 2003-12-22 2004-12-16 Appareil de separation d'air, appareil integre de separation d'air et de production d'un metal et procede de demarrage d'un tel appareil de separation d'air

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CN (1) CN100473929C (fr)
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US8863534B2 (en) 2009-02-05 2014-10-21 Carrier Corporation Direct drive system with booster compressor
US20160053764A1 (en) * 2012-10-03 2016-02-25 Ahmed F. Abdelwahab Method for controlling the compression of an incoming feed air stream to a cryogenic air separation plant
US10385861B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-08-20 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10443603B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-10-15 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10978967B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2021-04-13 KSB SE & Co. KGaA PM line-start motor and switch-on method therefor
US20220196325A1 (en) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L?Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and apparatus for improving start-up for an air separation apparatus

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8863534B2 (en) 2009-02-05 2014-10-21 Carrier Corporation Direct drive system with booster compressor
US20130086940A1 (en) * 2010-06-18 2013-04-11 L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pout l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude Air separation plant and process operating by cryogenic distillation
US9534836B2 (en) * 2010-06-18 2017-01-03 L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Air separation plant and process operating by cryogenic distillation
US20160053764A1 (en) * 2012-10-03 2016-02-25 Ahmed F. Abdelwahab Method for controlling the compression of an incoming feed air stream to a cryogenic air separation plant
US10385861B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-08-20 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10443603B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-10-15 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10519962B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-12-31 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10533564B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2020-01-14 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10533565B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2020-01-14 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
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US10978967B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2021-04-13 KSB SE & Co. KGaA PM line-start motor and switch-on method therefor
US20220196325A1 (en) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L?Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and apparatus for improving start-up for an air separation apparatus

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CN1898515A (zh) 2007-01-17
BRPI0417962A (pt) 2007-03-27
JP2007515617A (ja) 2007-06-14
EP1709378A1 (fr) 2006-10-11
JP4809243B2 (ja) 2011-11-09
FR2864214A1 (fr) 2005-06-24
FR2864214B1 (fr) 2017-04-21
WO2005064251A1 (fr) 2005-07-14
RU2006126668A (ru) 2008-01-27
CN100473929C (zh) 2009-04-01

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