US20110067445A1 - Method And Apparatus For Separating Air By Cryogenic Distillation - Google Patents

Method And Apparatus For Separating Air By Cryogenic Distillation Download PDF

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US20110067445A1
US20110067445A1 US12/937,608 US93760809A US2011067445A1 US 20110067445 A1 US20110067445 A1 US 20110067445A1 US 93760809 A US93760809 A US 93760809A US 2011067445 A1 US2011067445 A1 US 2011067445A1
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Prior art keywords
nitrogen
column
pressure
pressure column
vaporizer
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US12/937,608
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Benoit Davidian
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LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Priority claimed from FR0852708A external-priority patent/FR2930329A1/fr
Priority claimed from FR0852710A external-priority patent/FR2930331B1/fr
Priority claimed from FR0852705A external-priority patent/FR2930326B1/fr
Priority claimed from FR0852706A external-priority patent/FR2930327A1/fr
Priority claimed from FR0852707A external-priority patent/FR2930328A1/fr
Application filed by LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Assigned to L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE reassignment L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAVIDIAN, BENOIT
Publication of US20110067445A1 publication Critical patent/US20110067445A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04163—Hot end purification of the feed air
    • F25J3/04169—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities
    • F25J3/04181—Regenerating the adsorbents
    • 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
    • F25J3/0406—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 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
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/02—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
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    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/04103—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression using solely hydrostatic liquid head
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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
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    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04193—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions
    • F25J3/04206—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions including a so-called "auxiliary vaporiser" for vaporising and producing a gaseous product
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—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
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04309—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04351—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04393—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using multiple or multistage gas work expansion
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
    • F25J3/04418—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system with thermally overlapping high and low pressure columns
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    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/34—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using a side column fed by a stream from the low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
    • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
    • F25J2200/54—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • 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
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    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/40—One fluid being air
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J2250/42—One fluid being nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J2250/50—One fluid being oxygen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for producing oxygen by separating air using cryogenic distillation.
  • One object of the invention is to reduce the specific energy of separation of low-pressure low-purity oxygen, particularly in schemes where the pressurized nitrogen is not realized as an asset in its own right by the end-customer.
  • the object of the invention is achieved via the use of a scheme employing three vaporizers in the low-pressure column, in which:
  • the specific energy saving represents between 0.5% and 7%.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,139 describes a method for producing nitrogen using a low-pressure column the bottom vaporizer of which is heated by a flow of medium-pressure nitrogen compressed in a cold compressor. According to the invention, there is also a proposal to use several turbines in order better to optimize the exchange line.
  • the method of the present invention produces gaseous oxygen and preferably does not produce nitrogen from the medium-pressure column.
  • One subject of the invention provides a method for producing oxygen by separating air using cryogenic distillation in an installation comprising a double column comprising a medium-pressure and a low-pressure column, the low-pressure column containing a bottom vaporizer, an intermediate vaporizer and an upper vaporizer, in which method:
  • Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for producing oxygen by separation of air using cryogenic distillation comprising a double column comprising a medium-pressure column and a low-pressure column, the low-pressure column containing a bottom vaporizer, an intermediate vaporizer and an upper vaporizer, a purification unit, an exchange line, at least one first turbine, at least one cold compressor, means for sending compressed air, purified in the purification unit and cooled in the exchange line, to the medium-pressure column of the double column, means for withdrawing an oxygen-rich fluid from the low-pressure column, means for possibly heating it up, said means consisting at least in part of the exchange line and means for sending the heated-up oxygen-rich fluid sent to the customer, means for splitting the nitrogen tapped off from the medium-pressure column into at least three parts, means for sending a first part of the nitrogen to a first turbine, means for sending a second part of the nitrogen to a cold compressor where its pressure can be raised, means for sending the raised-pressure second part to the bottom vaporizer, means for sending the nitrogen thus
  • the apparatus may possibly comprise:
  • FIGS. 1 , 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams of air separation apparatuses according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows an air separation apparatus in which a pressurized and purified air flow 1 is split into three flows 3 , 5 , 7 .
  • the flow 3 is cooled as it passes from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to the medium-pressure column 15 of a double column.
  • the flow 5 is cooled as it passes from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to an intermediate vaporizer 21 of the low-pressure column 17 of the double column 15 , 17 .
  • the other air flow 7 has its pressure raised in a hot pressurizer 9 , is cooled by passing from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to a vaporizer 13 where it condenses at least partially by exchanging heat with pressurized liquid oxygen.
  • the condensed air is either sent in its entirety to the medium-pressure column or split between the medium-pressure column and the low-pressure column 17 .
  • Rich liquid 25 , lean liquid 61 and possibly a liquid 27 somewhat like liquid air are sent from the medium-pressure column 15 to the low-pressure column 17 as reflux flows after supercooling in the exchanger 29 .
  • a flow of liquid oxygen 33 is tapped off from the low-pressure column, pressurized by the pump 35 and vaporized in the vaporizer 13 upstream of the exchange line 11 .
  • the fluid 33 may also be compressed by the effect of a hydrostatic head, without the pump 35 .
  • Low-pressure nitrogen 31 is tapped off from the top of the low-pressure column 17 and is heated up in the exchangers 29 , 11 .
  • a medium-pressure gaseous flow of nitrogen 39 is tapped off from the top of the medium-pressure column 15 and split into two.
  • One part 53 is sent to an upper vaporizer 23 of the low-pressure column 17 where it condenses before being returned to the medium-pressure column by way of reflux.
  • the remainder of the nitrogen 41 is split into two, one portion 43 being sent to a cold compressor 51 to form a flow 55 , and this flow 55 is sent to the bottom vaporizer 19 of the low-pressure column 17 .
  • this vaporizer 19 it condenses and then acts as reflux for at least one of the columns.
  • the remainder 45 of the nitrogen is sent to the exchange line, is heated up to an intermediate level, and is sent to a turbine 47 .
  • the nitrogen expanded in the turbine 47 is sent to the cold end of the exchange line and heats up, becoming the flow 49 .
  • FIG. 2 shows an air separation apparatus in which a pressurized and purified air flow 1 is split into two flows 3 , 7 .
  • the flow 3 is cooled as it passes from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to the medium-pressure column 15 of a double column.
  • the other air flow 7 has its pressure raised in a hot pressurizer 9 , is cooled as it passes from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to a vaporizer 13 where it condenses at least in part by exchange of heat with pressurized liquid oxygen.
  • the condensed air is either sent in its entirety to the medium-pressure column or split between the medium-pressure column and the low-pressure column 17 .
  • Rich liquid 25 , lean liquid 61 and possibly a liquid 27 somewhat like liquid air are sent from the medium-pressure column 15 to the low-pressure column 17 as reflux flows after supercooling in the exchanger 29 .
  • a flow of liquid oxygen 33 is tapped off from the low-pressure column, pressurized by the pump 35 and vaporized in the vaporizer 13 upstream of the exchange line 11 .
  • the fluid 33 may also be compressed using a hydrostatic head, without the pump 35 .
  • Low-pressure nitrogen 31 is tapped off from the top of the low-pressure column 17 and heats up in the exchangers 29 , 11 .
  • a medium-pressure gaseous flow of nitrogen 39 is tapped off from the top of the medium-pressure column 15 and split into two.
  • One part 53 is sent to an upper vaporizer 23 of the low-pressure column 17 where it condenses before being returned to the medium-pressure column by way of reflux.
  • the remainder of the air is once again split into two.
  • One fraction is sent to the cold compressor 151 to become the flow 155 which heats the intermediate vaporizer 21 before being sent to the columns by way of reflux.
  • the remainder of the nitrogen 41 is split into two, one portion 43 being sent to a cold compressor 51 to form a flow 55 , and this flow 55 is sent to the bottom vaporizer 19 of the low-pressure column 17 . In this vaporizer 19 it condenses and then serves as reflux for at least one of the columns.
  • the remainder 45 of the nitrogen is sent to the exchange line, is heated up to an intermediate level and is sent to a turbine 47 .
  • the nitrogen expanded in the turbine 47 is sent to the cold end of the exchange line and heats up, becoming the flow 49 . Having the two cold compressors 51 , 151 on the medium-pressure nitrogen line allows the distribution of power across the compressors to be adjusted to best suit the low-pressure column reboiling requirement.
  • FIG. 3 shows an air separation apparatus in which an air flow 1 , pressurized by a compressor M and purified in a purification unit 2 is split into two flows 3 , 7 .
  • the flow 3 is cooled as it passes from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to the medium-pressure column 15 of a double column.
  • the other 7 has its pressure raised in a hot pressurizer 9 , is cooled by passing from one end of the exchange line 11 to the other and is sent to a vaporizer 13 where it condenses at least in part by exchange of heat with pressurized liquid oxygen.
  • the condensed air is either sent in its entirety to the medium-pressure column or split between the medium-pressure column and the low-pressure column 17 .
  • Rich liquid 25 , lean liquid 61 , and possibly a liquid 27 somewhat like liquid air are sent from the medium-pressure column 15 to the low-pressure column 17 by way of reflux flows following supercooling in the exchanger 29 .
  • a flow of liquid oxygen 33 is tapped off from the low-pressure column, pressurized by the pump 35 and vaporized in the vaporizer 13 upstream of the exchange line 11 .
  • the fluid 33 may also be compressed using a hydrostatic head, without the pump 35 .
  • Low-pressure nitrogen 31 is tapped off from the top of the low-pressure column 17 and is heated up in the exchangers 29 , 11 .
  • a medium-pressure gaseous flow of nitrogen 39 is tapped off from the top of the medium-pressure column 15 and split into two.
  • One part 53 is sent to an upper vaporizer 23 of the low-pressure column 17 where it condenses before being returned to the medium-pressure column by way of reflux.
  • the remainder of the air is once again split into two.
  • One fraction is sent to the cold compressor 151 where it becomes the flow 155 , the flow 155 being cooled in the exchange line 11 before being used to heat the intermediate vaporizer 21 before being sent to the columns by way of reflux.
  • the remainder of the nitrogen 41 is split into two, one portion 43 being sent to a cold compressor 51 to form a flow 55 , and this flow 55 is sent to the bottom vaporizer 19 of the low-pressure column 17 after having been cooled in the exchange line 11 .
  • this vaporizer 19 it condenses and then serves as reflux for at least one of the columns.
  • the remainder 45 of the nitrogen is sent to the exchange line, heats up to an intermediate level and is split into two.
  • One part 49 of the nitrogen 45 is sent to a turbine 47 .
  • the nitrogen expanded in the turbine 47 is sent to the cold end of the exchange line and is heated up before being used periodically to regenerate the purification unit 2 .
  • the remainder of the nitrogen 46 continues to be heated up in the exchange line 11 and is split into two, one part 149 being sent to a turbine 147 at a higher inlet temperature than the turbine 47 .
  • This part of the nitrogen is expanded, heated up and discharged into the atmosphere.
  • the remainder 249 of the nitrogen is sent to a turbine 247 at a higher inlet temperature than the turbines 47 , 147 . This part 249 of the nitrogen is expanded, heated up and discharged into the atmosphere.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)
US12/937,608 2008-04-22 2009-04-08 Method And Apparatus For Separating Air By Cryogenic Distillation Abandoned US20110067445A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0852709A FR2930330B1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852707 2008-04-22
FR0852709 2008-04-22
FR0852710 2008-04-22
FR0852708A FR2930329A1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852710A FR2930331B1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852705 2008-04-22
FR0852705A FR2930326B1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852706A FR2930327A1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852707A FR2930328A1 (fr) 2008-04-22 2008-04-22 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
FR0852706 2008-04-22
FR0852708 2008-04-22
PCT/FR2009/050617 WO2009136075A2 (fr) 2008-04-22 2009-04-08 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique

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EP (1) EP2268990A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2011518307A (fr)
CN (1) CN102016469A (fr)
AU (1) AU2009245592B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2722261A1 (fr)
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WO (1) WO2009136075A2 (fr)

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US20150121955A1 (en) * 2012-05-11 2015-05-07 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation
US20160245586A1 (en) * 2013-10-15 2016-08-25 L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Claude Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation
US20170030636A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 AIR LIQUIDE GLOBAL E&C SOLUTIONS US Inc. Apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen
US20170030637A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Us Inc Method for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen

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FR2973865B1 (fr) * 2011-04-08 2015-11-06 Air Liquide Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
US9097459B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2015-08-04 Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc. Production of high-pressure gaseous nitrogen
US20130042647A1 (en) * 2011-08-18 2013-02-21 Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc. Production Of High-Pressure Gaseous Nitrogen
TWI628401B (zh) * 2013-07-11 2018-07-01 林德股份公司 透過以可變能耗低溫分離空氣來提取氧之方法與裝置

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US20140223959A1 (en) * 2011-09-20 2014-08-14 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and device for the cryogenic decomposition of air
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US20150121955A1 (en) * 2012-05-11 2015-05-07 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation
US20160245586A1 (en) * 2013-10-15 2016-08-25 L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Claude Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation
US10295253B2 (en) * 2013-10-15 2019-05-21 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation
US20170030636A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 AIR LIQUIDE GLOBAL E&C SOLUTIONS US Inc. Apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen
US20170030637A1 (en) * 2015-07-31 2017-02-02 Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions Us Inc Method for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen
US10018414B2 (en) * 2015-07-31 2018-07-10 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen
US10101084B2 (en) * 2015-07-31 2018-10-16 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen

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Publication number Publication date
FR2930330A1 (fr) 2009-10-23
CA2722261A1 (fr) 2009-11-12
FR2930330B1 (fr) 2013-09-13
AU2009245592A1 (en) 2009-11-12
EP2268990A2 (fr) 2011-01-05
WO2009136075A2 (fr) 2009-11-12
WO2009136075A3 (fr) 2010-10-07
JP2011518307A (ja) 2011-06-23
CN102016469A (zh) 2011-04-13
WO2009136075A4 (fr) 2010-11-25
AU2009245592B2 (en) 2013-09-19

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