US20130111950A1 - Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such cooling unit - Google Patents

Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such cooling unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20130111950A1
US20130111950A1 US13/808,946 US201113808946A US2013111950A1 US 20130111950 A1 US20130111950 A1 US 20130111950A1 US 201113808946 A US201113808946 A US 201113808946A US 2013111950 A1 US2013111950 A1 US 2013111950A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tower
cooling unit
exchange
nitrogen
columns
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
US13/808,946
Inventor
Patrice Cavagne
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 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 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: CAVAGNE, PATRICE
Publication of US20130111950A1 publication Critical patent/US20130111950A1/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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04157—Afterstage cooling and so-called "pre-cooling" of the feed air upstream the air purification unit and main heat exchange line
    • 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
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04218—Parallel arrangement of the main heat exchange line in cores having different functions, e.g. in low pressure and high pressure cores
    • 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
    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • 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
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/30—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using a washing, e.g. "scrubbing" or bubble column for purification purposes
    • F25J2205/32—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using a washing, e.g. "scrubbing" or bubble column for purification purposes as direct contact cooling tower to produce a cooled gas stream, e.g. direct contact after cooler [DCAC]
    • 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
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/30—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using a washing, e.g. "scrubbing" or bubble column for purification purposes
    • F25J2205/34—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using a washing, e.g. "scrubbing" or bubble column for purification purposes as evaporative cooling tower to produce chilled water, e.g. evaporative water chiller [EWC]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/12—Particular process parameters like pressure, temperature, ratios
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/42—Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box

Definitions

  • EP-A-1666822 shows the first and second tower positioned on the ground, the second tower being near the outlet of the main exchange line.
  • Pumps used for transferring the ice-water obtained in the second tower to the first tower are generally installed on the ground beside the second tower.
  • This second tower may be made of steel or of concrete, with a round or square cross section.
  • the pressure drops in the line for residual nitrogen leaving the exchange line toward this second tower are critical because it is these that set the pressure of the low-pressure column (and therefore of the air compressor) which is connected only to the second tower where exchange of heat between the nitrogen and the water takes place.
  • the tower of round or square cross section, will be installed at a height, for example on the roof of the main exchange line so as to allow the residual nitrogen line to enter the tower directly with no pipe elbows and with a minimum length of piping, both these features generating pressure drops.
  • This tower may be made of steel, of concrete or of plastic.
  • the tower will preferably be supported by a continuation of the structure of the outer casing in which the exchange line is installed or by any other suitable support means.
  • One object of the invention is to provide a cooling unit consisting of an exchange line capable of heating up the nitrogen coming from a system of columns by exchange of heat with air that is to be cooled that is bound for the system of columns and a cooling tower allowing exchange of heat and mass between the water that is to be cooled, sent in at the top of the tower and nitrogen coming from a system of air distillation columns, the lower part of the tower comprising an inlet connected to a nitrogen pipe and the nitrogen pipe being connected to at least one exchanger body of the exchange line, capable of heating up the nitrogen coming from the system of columns by exchange of heat with air that is to be cooled that is bound for the system of columns characterized in that the tower is positioned above at least part of the exchange line.
  • the pressure drop in the nitrogen pipe between the outlet of the exchanger body and the inlet of the tower is less than 7 mbar, preferably less than 6 mbar.
  • the exchange lines 3 A, 3 B are low-pressure fluid exchangers and are separated by a space.
  • Each exchange line comprises a certain number of bodies (in this instance eight) which receive air to be cooled and nitrogen to be heated.
  • the heated-up nitrogen is collected in pipes 15 which emerge a few meters above the bottom of the tower 1 .
  • the nitrogen pipe 15 is higher up than the other pipes and is therefore easier to connect to the tower 1 .
  • the pressure drop on the nitrogen pipe 15 between the exchange body and the tower is less than 7 mbar, preferably less than 6 mbar.
  • the water cooled in the tower is used to cool the air upstream of the purification process.
  • the structure 13 will rest on the ground or on some other element.
  • “Comprising” in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of “comprising”). “Comprising” as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” unless otherwise indicated herein.
  • Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur.
  • the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.
  • Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling unit consisting of an exchange line capable of heating nitrogen originating from the system of columns by exchanging heat with the air to be cooled for the system of columns, and a cooling tower for the heat- and mass-exchange between the water to be cooled sent to the top of the tower and the nitrogen originating from a system of air distillation columns, the lower portion of the tower including an inlet connected to a nitrogen pipe, and the nitrogen pipe being connected to at least one exchanger body of the exchange line, which is capable of heating the nitrogen originating from the system of columns by exchanging heat with the air to be cooled for the system of columns, wherein the tower is arranged above at least one portion of the exchange line.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is a §371 of International PCT Application PCT/FR2011/051670, filed Jul. 12, 2011, which claims the benefit of FR1055722, filed Jul. 13, 2010, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
    • TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a cooling unit and to an apparatus for separating air by air distillation comprising such a cooling unit.
    • BACKGROUND
  • The “Industrial Gas Handbook” by Frank Kerry, CRC Press, pages 112 to 113 explains how to use a cooling tower to cool the air intended for air separation, in a distillation system, by direct contact with water in a first tower. The air is then conveyed to a purification system where it is dried and purified in terms of carbon dioxide. The water used for cooling obviously becomes heated in the first tower. In order to cool it and thus be able to recirculate it to the first tower, the water is cooled in a second tower by direct contact with nitrogen coming from the air distillation system. Upstream of the second tower, the nitrogen is heated up in the exchange line where the air that is to be distilled is cooled down. As Kerry points out, this flow of nitrogen may constitute a considerable percentage of the distilled air.
  • EP-A-1666822 shows the first and second tower positioned on the ground, the second tower being near the outlet of the main exchange line.
  • Pumps used for transferring the ice-water obtained in the second tower to the first tower are generally installed on the ground beside the second tower.
  • This second tower may be made of steel or of concrete, with a round or square cross section.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • In the case of the method producing low-pressure nitrogen, for example an air separation apparatus that is supposed to supply oxygen for oxycombustion, the pressure drops in the line for residual nitrogen leaving the exchange line toward this second tower are critical because it is these that set the pressure of the low-pressure column (and therefore of the air compressor) which is connected only to the second tower where exchange of heat between the nitrogen and the water takes place.
  • The tower, of round or square cross section, will be installed at a height, for example on the roof of the main exchange line so as to allow the residual nitrogen line to enter the tower directly with no pipe elbows and with a minimum length of piping, both these features generating pressure drops.
  • This tower may be made of steel, of concrete or of plastic.
  • The tower will preferably be supported by a continuation of the structure of the outer casing in which the exchange line is installed or by any other suitable support means.
  • By using the present invention, it is possible to reduce the pressure drops by 3 mbar, and therefore to reduce the pressure of the low-pressure column by 3 mbar and that of the medium-pressure column by 4 mbar. Hence the pressure of the air is likewise reduced and the electric power consumption of the air compressor drops by 0.1%.
  • This reduction in pressure is the result of the elimination of three pipe elbows in the piping conveying the nitrogen from the exchange line to the cooling tower by comparison with the prior art in which the tower is placed at ground level.
  • One object of the invention is to provide a cooling unit consisting of an exchange line capable of heating up the nitrogen coming from a system of columns by exchange of heat with air that is to be cooled that is bound for the system of columns and a cooling tower allowing exchange of heat and mass between the water that is to be cooled, sent in at the top of the tower and nitrogen coming from a system of air distillation columns, the lower part of the tower comprising an inlet connected to a nitrogen pipe and the nitrogen pipe being connected to at least one exchanger body of the exchange line, capable of heating up the nitrogen coming from the system of columns by exchange of heat with air that is to be cooled that is bound for the system of columns characterized in that the tower is positioned above at least part of the exchange line.
  • According to other optional features:
      • the tower is supported on at least part of the exchange line;
      • the tower is supported by a structure mounted on at least part of the exchange line;
      • the lowermost point of the tower is above the exchanger body or bodies;
      • the nitrogen pipe is connected to a point above the tank of the cooling tower;
      • the unit comprises two exchange lines each one comprising several exchange bodies, the two exchange lines preferably having substantially the same height;
      • the tower is supported by a structure mounted on the two exchange lines;
      • the tower is positioned above a space between the two exchange lines;
      • at least one air inlet pipe connected to the two exchange lines passes through the space underneath the tower;
      • the nitrogen pipe is connected to the upper part of the exchanger body;
      • the nitrogen pipe is arranged in such a way that the nitrogen reaches the tower without being conveyed downward;
      • the nitrogen pipe comprises at most one single pipe elbow, preferably no pipe elbow, between the exchanger body and the nitrogen pipe;
      • the system of columns comprises a medium-pressure column and a low-pressure column, and the low-pressure column is connected to the body of the exchange line to supply it with nitrogen.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, a system of columns, a pipe conveying air to the exchange line, a pipe conveying air from the exchange line and a pipe conveying air from the exchange line to the system of columns, the nitrogen pipe being connected to the system of columns.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using a unit as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, in which air is cooled in the tower and in the exchange line, separated in a system of columns, the nitrogen is sent from the system of columns to the exchange line and from the exchange line to the tower.
  • For preference, the pressure drop in the nitrogen pipe between the outlet of the exchanger body and the inlet of the tower is less than 7 mbar, preferably less than 6 mbar.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only several embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention's scope as it can admit to other equally effective embodiments.
  • FIG. 1 represents an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the figure which depicts a unit according to an embodiment of the invention incorporated into a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation.
  • The cooling unit comprises a tower 1, two low- pressure exchange lines 3A, 3B, and one high-pressure exchange line 5. The air separation apparatus additionally comprises air turbines 7, distillation columns 9, 11 and a set of piping and valves.
  • The air is cooled in a tower (not illustrated) by direct contact with water, purified in a purification device, cooled in the exchange lines 3A, 3B, expanded through at least one turbine 7 and sent to a column 9 to be separated. Fluids produced in the column 9 are sent to the column 11, which operates at a lower pressure than the column 9. The nitrogen produced, coming from the column 11, is heated up in the exchange lines 3A, 3B and conveyed to the cooling tower 1 where it cools the water intended for cooling the air.
  • The exchange lines 3A, 3B are low-pressure fluid exchangers and are separated by a space. Each exchange line comprises a certain number of bodies (in this instance eight) which receive air to be cooled and nitrogen to be heated.
  • The heated-up nitrogen is collected in pipes 15 which emerge a few meters above the bottom of the tower 1. The nitrogen pipe 15 is higher up than the other pipes and is therefore easier to connect to the tower 1. The pressure drop on the nitrogen pipe 15 between the exchange body and the tower is less than 7 mbar, preferably less than 6 mbar.
  • The tower 1 is supported by a structure 13 which rests on the ends of the two exchange lines 3A, 3B.
  • The water cooled in the tower is used to cool the air upstream of the purification process.
  • Where there is just one exchange line, the structure 13 will rest on the ground or on some other element.
  • The water inlet and outlet pipes have not been illustrated in the figure.
  • While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.
  • The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
  • “Comprising” in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of “comprising”). “Comprising” as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” unless otherwise indicated herein.
  • “Providing” in a claim is defind to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one.
  • Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.
  • Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.
  • All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.

Claims (16)

1-15. (canceled)
16. A cooling unit comprising of an exchange line capable of heating up the nitrogen coming from a system of columns by exchange of heat with air that is to be cooled that is bound for the system of columns and a cooling tower allowing exchange of heat and mass between the water that is to be cooled, sent in at the top of the tower and nitrogen coming from a system of air distillation columns, the lower part of the tower comprising an inlet connected to a nitrogen pipe and the nitrogen pipe being connected to at least one exchanger body of the exchange line, wherein the tower is positioned above at least part of the exchange line.
17. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which the cooling tower is supported on at least part of the exchange line.
18. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which the cooling tower is supported by a structure mounted on at least part of the exchange line.
19. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which the lowermost point of the cooling tower is above the exchanger body or bodies.
20. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which the nitrogen pipe is connected to a point above the tank of the cooling tower.
21. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, comprising two exchange lines each one comprising several exchange bodies, the two exchange lines preferably having substantially the same height.
22. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cooling tower is supported by a structure mounted on the two exchange lines.
23. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cooling tower is positioned above a space between the two exchange lines.
24. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 23, in which at least one air inlet pipe connected to the two exchange lines passes through the space underneath the tower.
25. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which the nitrogen pipe is connected to the upper part of the exchanger body.
26. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 25, in which the nitrogen pipe is arranged in such a way that the nitrogen reaches the tower without being conveyed downward.
27. The cooling unit as claimed in claim 25, in which the nitrogen pipe comprises at most one single pipe elbow between the exchanger body and the nitrogen pipe.
28. A device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising the cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, a system of columns, a pipe conveying air to the exchange line, a pipe conveying air from the exchange line and a pipe conveying air from the exchange line to the system of columns, the nitrogen pipe being connected to the system of columns.
29. A method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using the cooling unit as claimed in claim 16, in which air is cooled in the tower and in the exchange line, separated in a system of columns, the nitrogen is sent from the system of columns to the exchange line and from the exchange line to the tower.
30. The method as claimed in claim 29, in which the pressure drop in the nitrogen pipe between the outlet of the exchanger body and the inlet of the tower is less than 7 mbar, preferably less than 6 mbar.
US13/808,946 2010-07-13 2011-07-12 Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such cooling unit Abandoned US20130111950A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1055722 2010-07-13
FR1055722A FR2962799B1 (en) 2010-07-13 2010-07-13 COOLING ASSEMBLY AND APPARATUS FOR AIR SEPARATION BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION COMPRISING SUCH A COOLING ASSEMBLY
PCT/FR2011/051670 WO2012007691A2 (en) 2010-07-13 2011-07-12 Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such a cooling unit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130111950A1 true US20130111950A1 (en) 2013-05-09

Family

ID=43901357

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/808,946 Abandoned US20130111950A1 (en) 2010-07-13 2011-07-12 Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such cooling unit

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20130111950A1 (en)
EP (1) EP2593739B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5902161B2 (en)
CN (1) CN103299147B (en)
FR (1) FR2962799B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012007691A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015124853A3 (en) * 2014-02-24 2015-10-15 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation, having an elevated platform
FR3052242A1 (en) * 2016-06-06 2017-12-08 L'air Liquide Sa Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT OF MASS AND / OR HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS, ASSEMBLY OF TWO ELEMENTS AND EXCHANGE METHOD USING ASSEMBLY

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4496382A (en) * 1983-03-21 1985-01-29 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Process using serpentine heat exchange relationship for condensing substantially single component gas streams
US5275004A (en) * 1992-07-21 1994-01-04 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Consolidated heat exchanger air separation process
US20020067041A1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-06-06 Collins James Christopher Compressor air piping system and method
US6732544B1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-05-11 Praxair Technology, Inc. Feed air precooling and scrubbing system for cryogenic air separation plant
WO2004088228A2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2004-10-14 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Apparatus for cryogenic air distillation
US20050193765A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2005-09-08 Emmanuel Garnier Process for separating air by cryogenic distillation and installation for implementing this process

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2061478B (en) * 1979-10-23 1983-06-22 Air Prod & Chem Method and cryogenic plant for producing gaseous oxygen
JPH0721378B2 (en) * 1985-08-12 1995-03-08 大同ほくさん株式会社 Oxygen gas production equipment
JP2551461B2 (en) * 1988-07-04 1996-11-06 日本酸素 株式会社 Pretreatment method of raw material air in air separation device
FR2844344B1 (en) * 2002-09-11 2005-04-08 Air Liquide PLANT FOR PRODUCTION OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF OXYGEN AND / OR NITROGEN
FR2858398B1 (en) * 2003-07-30 2005-12-02 Air Liquide METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR SUPPLYING AN AIR SEPARATION UNIT USING A GAS TURBINE
DE10342788A1 (en) * 2003-09-15 2005-04-07 Linde Ag Process engineering plant for handling of application fluid has rectification columns and main heat exchanger located in cold chamber, and at least a section of warm pipes in warm chamber
EP1666823A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2006-06-07 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for the cryogenic separation of a gaseous mixture in particular of air
FR2880418B1 (en) * 2004-12-30 2007-04-27 Air Liquide HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY, CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION APPARATUS INCORPORATING SUCH ASSEMBLY, AND CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION METHOD USING SUCH ASSEMBLY

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4496382A (en) * 1983-03-21 1985-01-29 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Process using serpentine heat exchange relationship for condensing substantially single component gas streams
US5275004A (en) * 1992-07-21 1994-01-04 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Consolidated heat exchanger air separation process
US20020067041A1 (en) * 2000-08-30 2002-06-06 Collins James Christopher Compressor air piping system and method
US20050193765A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2005-09-08 Emmanuel Garnier Process for separating air by cryogenic distillation and installation for implementing this process
WO2004088228A2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2004-10-14 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Apparatus for cryogenic air distillation
US6732544B1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2004-05-11 Praxair Technology, Inc. Feed air precooling and scrubbing system for cryogenic air separation plant

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015124853A3 (en) * 2014-02-24 2015-10-15 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation, having an elevated platform
FR3052242A1 (en) * 2016-06-06 2017-12-08 L'air Liquide Sa Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT OF MASS AND / OR HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS, ASSEMBLY OF TWO ELEMENTS AND EXCHANGE METHOD USING ASSEMBLY
WO2017212144A1 (en) * 2016-06-06 2017-12-14 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Element for construction of a mass- and/or heat-exchange device, assembly of two elements and exchange method using an assembly
CN109348726A (en) * 2016-06-06 2019-02-15 乔治洛德方法研究和开发液化空气有限公司 Method for constructing or modifying substance and/or heat-exchange device
CN109564059A (en) * 2016-06-06 2019-04-02 乔治洛德方法研究和开发液化空气有限公司 Element, tool for constructing substance and/or heat-exchange device is there are two the component of element and using the exchange method of component
US11215395B2 (en) 2016-06-06 2022-01-04 L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude Element for construction of a mass- and/or heat-exchange device, assembly of two elements and exchange method using an assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012007691A2 (en) 2012-01-19
JP5902161B2 (en) 2016-04-13
CN103299147B (en) 2015-10-07
FR2962799B1 (en) 2014-07-04
WO2012007691A3 (en) 2013-10-10
EP2593739A2 (en) 2013-05-22
EP2593739B1 (en) 2017-04-12
JP2014500937A (en) 2014-01-16
FR2962799A1 (en) 2012-01-20
CN103299147A (en) 2013-09-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN107345737B (en) Double-tower double-condensation reflux expansion nitrogen making machine and nitrogen making method thereof
US9976803B2 (en) Process and apparatus for producing gaseous oxygen by cryogenic distillation of air
US20140007617A1 (en) Method for producing a pressurised air gas by means of cryogenic distillation
CN103375968A (en) Piping module for air fractionation plant
CN105727681B (en) A kind of device and its treatment process for high-boiling-point waste organic gas
US20130111950A1 (en) Cooling unit, and apparatus for separating air by means of cryogenic distillation including such cooling unit
CN108106326B (en) Method and device for recycling nitrogen in krypton-xenon refining process
US9360251B2 (en) Method and integrated device for separating air and heating an air gas originating from an air separation device
WO2011030050A2 (en) Method and facility for producing oxygen through air distillation
CN204718302U (en) A kind of oxygen enrichment system of efficiency utilization LNG cold energy
CN202186894U (en) Air separation nitrogen making device
CN106839650A (en) Gas in natural gas recovery system and technique
CN105605419B (en) Empty nitrogen station cold energy comprehensive reutilization system and its recoverying and utilizing method
CN204319802U (en) Subtract top pumped vacuum systems
US9797653B2 (en) Method and device for condensing a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream
CN206803597U (en) Gas in natural gas recovery system
CN202382519U (en) Cold box of cryogenic separation device
JP2008275313A (en) Nitrogen producing method and device
US9702376B2 (en) Apparatus for compressing a wet gas flow
CN213924575U (en) Ethane recovery modular device
CN214009704U (en) Pipeline arrangement for lifting liquid-carrying gas in cryogenic device
US11719141B2 (en) Recuperative heat exchanger system
US20240011704A1 (en) Device for separating air by cryogenic distillation
CN109974394B (en) Air separation system and method for carrying out effusion in start-up stage thereof
CN202501190U (en) Gasification and pressure regulation integrated device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'E

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CAVAGNE, PATRICE;REEL/FRAME:029821/0370

Effective date: 20130124

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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