US20070221492A1 - Method and Installation for Supplying Highly Pure Oxygen By Cryogenic Distillation of Air - Google Patents

Method and Installation for Supplying Highly Pure Oxygen By Cryogenic Distillation of Air Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20070221492A1
US20070221492A1 US10/577,885 US57788504A US2007221492A1 US 20070221492 A1 US20070221492 A1 US 20070221492A1 US 57788504 A US57788504 A US 57788504A US 2007221492 A1 US2007221492 A1 US 2007221492A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
oxygen
column
air
separation unit
air separation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/577,885
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Alain Guillard
Jean-Jacques Chollat
Xavier Pontone
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical LAir Liquide SA a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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, PONTONE, XAVIER
Publication of US20070221492A1 publication Critical patent/US20070221492A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • F25J3/04951—Arrangements of multiple air fractionation units or multiple equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple trains in a network
    • 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
    • F25J3/04406—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
    • F25J3/0446—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
    • F25J3/04557—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the metal production for pig iron or steel making, e.g. blast furnace, Corex
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04606—Partially integrated air feed compression, i.e. independent MAC for the air fractionation unit plus additional air feed from the air gas consuming unit
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04824—Stopping of the process, e.g. defrosting or deriming; Back-up procedures
    • 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
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/02—Mixing or blending of fluids to yield a certain product
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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 the technique of air distillation and in particular to a method and an installation for supplying high-purity oxygen by cryogenic distillation of air.
  • Certain industrial applications require large quantities of impure oxygen at various pressures: gasification of coal, gasification of oil residues, direct smelting-reduction of iron ore, injection of coal into blast furnaces, metallurgy of nonferrous metals, etc.
  • a steel production unit conventionally comprises several units having different oxygen requirements, as described in “The making, shaping and treating of steel”, AISE, 1985.
  • a blast furnace consumes oxygen-enriched air, produced in general by mixing compressed air with low-purity oxygen.
  • the low-purity oxygen has a purity of between 80 and 97%.
  • converters and arc furnaces consume oxygen with a high purity of between 99 and 99.8%.
  • two separate air distillation production units are often provided, the one producing the low-purity oxygen being a mixing-column unit of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,030 and EP-A-0 531 182 and the one producing high-purity oxygen being a conventional double-column unit.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide an installation comprising two air separation units, the first of which, comprising a mixing column, produces low-purity oxygen and the second of which produces high-purity oxygen, it being possible for the installation to produce high-purity oxygen even when the second air separation unit is not operating, so that the high-pressure oxygen storage tank can be eliminated or reduced in size.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an installation for supplying oxygen by cryogenic distillation of air, comprising a first air separation unit and a second air separation unit, the first air separation unit comprising a medium-pressure column, a low-pressure column thermally coupled to the medium-pressure column, and a mixing column, which installation comprises:
  • the air separation installation of FIG. 1 comprises a first cryogenic distillation air separation unit 1 and a second cryogenic distillation air separation unit 2 .
  • the first air separation unit produces a stream of low-purity oxygen containing between 80 and 97% oxygen.
  • This oxygen 3 is sent downstream of the blower 4 of a first consuming unit, in this case a blast furnace 5 , and is mixed with compressed air 7 before being sent to the blast furnace.
  • the second air separation unit 2 produces high-purity oxygen containing between 99 and 99.9% oxygen.
  • This oxygen 8 is sent to a second consuming unit 9 .
  • the second air separation unit could be any cryogenic unit producing high-pressure gaseous oxygen, for example a double column or a triple column, in which the oxygen is pressurized either by compressing the gaseous oxygen or by pumping liquid oxygen followed by vaporization. Examples of production methods of this kind may be found in EP-A-0 504 029.
  • the second air separation unit 2 In the second operation, the second air separation unit 2 is not operating.
  • the first air separation unit produces high-purity oxygen 11 and, after being compressed in the compressor 13 , this is sent to the second consuming unit 9 .
  • the first air separation unit either produces no low-pressure oxygen, so that the blast furnace is fed only with air, or produces less low-pressure oxygen and mixes this with air 7 .
  • a mixing column is a column that has the same structure as a distillation column but is used to mix, in a manner close to reversibility, a relatively volatile gas, introduced at the bottom of the mixing column with a less-volatile liquid introduced at the top of the mixing column.
  • “Lean liquid” (impure nitrogen) withdrawn from an intermediate point 11 A on the column 3 A is, after being expanded in an expansion valve 12 A, introduced into the top of the column 4 A, this gas, constituting the waste gas of the installation, and the pure gaseous nitrogen at the medium pressure, produced at the top of the column 3 A, are warmed in the exchange line 1 A and discharged from the installation.
  • gases are indicated in FIG. 1 by NI and NG respectively.
  • Liquid oxygen of relatively high purity depending on the setting of the double column 2 A, is withdrawn from the bottom of the column 4 A, raised by a pump 13 A to a pressure P 1 , slightly above the aforementioned pressure P, in order to take account of the pressure drops (P 1 -P of less than 1 ⁇ 10 5 Pa), and introduced into the top of the column 6 A.
  • P 1 is therefore advantageously between 8 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 30 ⁇ 10 5 Pa, preferably between 8 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 16 ⁇ 10 5 Pa.
  • Auxiliary air, compressed to the same pressure P 1 by an auxiliary compressor 14 A, which may be the blower 4 , and cooled in the exchange line 1 A is introduced into the base of the mixing column 6 A.
  • Three fluid streams are withdrawn from said mixing column: from its base, liquid similar to the rich liquid and joined with the latter via a line 15 A provided with an expansion valve 15 A′; at an intermediate point, a mixture essentially consisting of oxygen and nitrogen, which is sent to an intermediate point on the low-pressure column 4 A via a line 16 A provided with an expansion valve 17 A; and from its top, impure oxygen which, after being warmed in the heat exchange line, is discharged, substantially at the pressure P, from the installation via a line 18 A as production gas OI.
  • FIG. 2 also shows auxiliary heat exchangers 19 A, 20 A, 21 A for recovering the refrigerating power available in the fluids circulating in the installation.
  • the pressure P of the impure oxygen produced may be chosen at will.
  • the double column it is possible to obtain various degrees of purity for this gas.
  • pump 13 A In the second operation of the air separation unit 1 , pump 13 A is stopped so that the liquid oxygen is no longer withdrawn from the bottom of the column 4 A and introduced into the top of the column 6 .
  • the auxiliary air is no longer introduced into the base of the mixing column 6 A.
  • the three fluid streams are no longer withdrawn from the latter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
  • Carbon Steel Or Casting Steel Manufacturing (AREA)
  • Refinement Of Pig-Iron, Manufacture Of Cast Iron, And Steel Manufacture Other Than In Revolving Furnaces (AREA)
  • Blast Furnaces (AREA)
US10/577,885 2003-11-10 2004-11-10 Method and Installation for Supplying Highly Pure Oxygen By Cryogenic Distillation of Air Abandoned US20070221492A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0350818 2003-11-10
FR0350818A FR2862128B1 (fr) 2003-11-10 2003-11-10 Procede et installation de fourniture d'oxygene a haute purete par distillation cryogenique d'air
PCT/FR2004/050582 WO2005045340A1 (fr) 2003-11-10 2004-11-10 Procede et installation de fourniture d'oxygene a haute purete par distillation cryogenique d'air

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20070221492A1 true US20070221492A1 (en) 2007-09-27

Family

ID=34508748

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/577,885 Abandoned US20070221492A1 (en) 2003-11-10 2004-11-10 Method and Installation for Supplying Highly Pure Oxygen By Cryogenic Distillation of Air

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20070221492A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1690054A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2007516405A (fr)
CN (1) CN100538234C (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0416372A (fr)
FR (1) FR2862128B1 (fr)
RU (1) RU2354902C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005045340A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11913720B2 (en) 2020-04-02 2024-02-27 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Product gas supply quantity adjustment device and air separation apparatus comprising same

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2005225027A1 (en) * 2005-07-21 2007-02-08 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L"Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation
FR2895068B1 (fr) * 2005-12-15 2014-01-31 Air Liquide Procede de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
CN101929789B (zh) * 2010-05-12 2012-07-18 李大仁 一种空气分离的方法
DE102011112909A1 (de) * 2011-09-08 2013-03-14 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung von Stahl
JP6115887B2 (ja) * 2013-03-15 2017-04-19 住友金属鉱山株式会社 酸素圧縮機切替流量測定方法

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022030A (en) * 1971-02-01 1977-05-10 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Thermal cycle for the compression of a fluid by the expansion of another fluid
US5291737A (en) * 1991-08-07 1994-03-08 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process or apparatus for distilling air and application in feeding gas to a steel mill
US5505052A (en) * 1993-06-07 1996-04-09 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and unit for supplying a gas under pressure to an installation that consumes a constituent of air
US5538534A (en) * 1993-11-12 1996-07-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Combined installation of a metal production unit and a unit for the separation of air gas
US5582036A (en) * 1995-08-30 1996-12-10 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryogenic air separation blast furnace system
US5882373A (en) * 1996-03-11 1999-03-16 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method of running a plant comprising a metal treatment unit and a gas treatment unit
US6062043A (en) * 1996-09-25 2000-05-16 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process for feeding a gas-consuming unit
US6550234B2 (en) * 2001-01-12 2003-04-22 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme A Directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Integrated air-separation/energy-generation process and plant for implementing such a process
US6576040B2 (en) * 2000-09-18 2003-06-10 L'air Liquide - Societe Anonyme A Directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and plant with oxygen-enriched air feed for a non-ferrous metal production unit

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5324920B2 (fr) * 1971-12-03 1978-07-24
JP2873469B2 (ja) * 1989-09-29 1999-03-24 株式会社大分サンソセンター 需要変動に対応して空気を液化分離し供給する装置
FR2677667A1 (fr) * 1991-06-12 1992-12-18 Grenier Maurice Procede d'alimentation d'un haut-fourneau en air enrichi en oxygene, et installation de reduction de minerai de fer correspondante.
US5454227A (en) * 1994-08-17 1995-10-03 The Boc Group, Inc. Air separation method and apparatus
FR2774158B1 (fr) * 1998-01-23 2000-03-17 Air Liquide Installation combinee d'un four et d'un appareil de distillation d'air et procede de mise en oeuvre
FR2782787B1 (fr) * 1998-08-28 2000-09-29 Air Liquide Procede et installation de production d'oxygene impur par distillation d'air
FR2789162B1 (fr) * 1999-02-01 2001-11-09 Air Liquide Procede de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
JP4177507B2 (ja) * 1999-03-09 2008-11-05 大陽日酸株式会社 低純度酸素の製造方法及び装置
JP2000309811A (ja) * 1999-04-21 2000-11-07 Nippon Steel Corp 酸素供給設備及び酸素供給方法

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022030A (en) * 1971-02-01 1977-05-10 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Thermal cycle for the compression of a fluid by the expansion of another fluid
US5291737A (en) * 1991-08-07 1994-03-08 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process or apparatus for distilling air and application in feeding gas to a steel mill
US5505052A (en) * 1993-06-07 1996-04-09 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and unit for supplying a gas under pressure to an installation that consumes a constituent of air
US5538534A (en) * 1993-11-12 1996-07-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Combined installation of a metal production unit and a unit for the separation of air gas
USRE37014E1 (en) * 1993-11-12 2001-01-16 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Combined installation of a metal production unit and a unit for the separation of air gas
US5582036A (en) * 1995-08-30 1996-12-10 Praxair Technology, Inc. Cryogenic air separation blast furnace system
US5882373A (en) * 1996-03-11 1999-03-16 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method of running a plant comprising a metal treatment unit and a gas treatment unit
US6062043A (en) * 1996-09-25 2000-05-16 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process for feeding a gas-consuming unit
US6576040B2 (en) * 2000-09-18 2003-06-10 L'air Liquide - Societe Anonyme A Directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and plant with oxygen-enriched air feed for a non-ferrous metal production unit
US6550234B2 (en) * 2001-01-12 2003-04-22 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme A Directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Integrated air-separation/energy-generation process and plant for implementing such a process

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11913720B2 (en) 2020-04-02 2024-02-27 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Product gas supply quantity adjustment device and air separation apparatus comprising same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1878998A (zh) 2006-12-13
BRPI0416372A (pt) 2007-02-21
FR2862128B1 (fr) 2006-01-06
EP1690054A1 (fr) 2006-08-16
WO2005045340A1 (fr) 2005-05-19
RU2354902C2 (ru) 2009-05-10
FR2862128A1 (fr) 2005-05-13
JP2007516405A (ja) 2007-06-21
RU2006120410A (ru) 2007-12-20
CN100538234C (zh) 2009-09-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5291737A (en) Process or apparatus for distilling air and application in feeding gas to a steel mill
US5505052A (en) Process and unit for supplying a gas under pressure to an installation that consumes a constituent of air
KR101341278B1 (ko) 극저온 증류에 의한 공기의 분리 방법
US9733013B2 (en) Low temperature air separation process for producing pressurized gaseous product
US6062043A (en) Process for feeding a gas-consuming unit
US6568207B1 (en) Integrated process and installation for the separation of air fed by compressed air from several compressors
US20070221492A1 (en) Method and Installation for Supplying Highly Pure Oxygen By Cryogenic Distillation of Air
US20110192193A1 (en) Method And Installation For Enriching A Gas Stream With One Of The Components Thereof
US5865041A (en) Distillation process using a mixing column to produce at least two oxygen-rich gaseous streams having different oxygen purities
AU729622B2 (en) Oxygen steelmaking
AU773575B2 (en) Oxygen-enriched air feed for a non-ferrous metal production unit
US6311519B1 (en) Process and plant for separating a gaseous mixture by cryogenic distillation
CA2259797A1 (fr) Installation combinee comprenant un four et un dispositif de distillation d'air, et processus de mise en oeuvre
US6247333B1 (en) Process for supplying impure oxygen to a synthesis-gas production unit
US20040020239A1 (en) Method of producing an oxygen-enriched air stream
US20070137248A1 (en) Method and apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation
JP3479277B2 (ja) 可変流量の酸素の送出方法及びこれを使用する低温空気分離装置
US20040211183A1 (en) Method and installation for steam production and air distillation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CON

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GUILLARD, ALAIN;CHOLLAT, JEAN-JACQUES;PONTONE, XAVIER;REEL/FRAME:018740/0122;SIGNING DATES FROM 20060420 TO 20060512

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION