US20200333069A1 - Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200333069A1
US20200333069A1 US16/755,821 US201816755821A US2020333069A1 US 20200333069 A1 US20200333069 A1 US 20200333069A1 US 201816755821 A US201816755821 A US 201816755821A US 2020333069 A1 US2020333069 A1 US 2020333069A1
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Prior art keywords
booster compressor
wheel
air
compressed
gas
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Richard Dubettier-Grenier
Patrick Le Bot
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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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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04024—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of purified feed air, so-called boosted air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/0403—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of 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
    • F25J3/04048—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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04175—Hot end purification of the feed air by adsorption of the impurities at a pressure of substantially more than the highest pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04309—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—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.
    • F25J3/04381—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion so-called companders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—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
    • F25J3/04412—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
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/20—Integrated compressor and process expander; Gear box arrangement; Multiple compressors on a common shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
    • F25J2240/02—Expansion of a process fluid in a work-extracting turbine (i.e. isentropic expansion), e.g. of the feed stream
    • F25J2240/04—Multiple expansion turbines in parallel

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation.
  • Air separation units for separating air by cryogenic distillation using cryogenic compression of a gas are known.
  • One known means for implementing this cold compression is to drive a cryogenic-compression wheel using a cryogenic expansion turbine. Nevertheless, such equipment does not generate the production of coldness needed for the operation of air separation units because no work is extracted from the cold box. For that reason, such systems are always coupled to an additional means for producing cold.
  • the known means are:
  • the two compression steps will be arranged in series on the same flow.
  • this flow will be part of the total airflow, which will first of all be compressed from ambient temperature, then when cold.
  • This flow after having been reintroduced into the main exchanger, will travel as far as the cold end of the exchanger where it will be (pseudo) liquefied.
  • the turbine wheel and the wheels of the booster compressors rotate at the same rotational speed.
  • One subject matter of the invention provides a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation, wherein air is compressed in a first compressor, cooled in a heat exchanger and then separated in a system of columns, liquid oxygen is vaporized in the heat exchanger countercurrent to a flow of pressurized gas which (pseudo) condenses, a flow of gas which is air or a gas delivered from the system of columns is expanded in a cryogenic expansion turbine having a single wheel, having an inlet temperature lower than ⁇ 100° C., a gas which is air or a gas delivered from the system of columns, this gas having already been compressed in the first booster compressor, is compressed in a first booster compressor having a single wheel with an inlet temperature higher than ⁇ 50° C., a gas which is air or a gas delivered from the system of columns is compressed in a second booster compressor having a single wheel with an inlet temperature lower than ⁇ 100° C., the gas compressed in at least the first booster compressor cools in the heat exchanger, contributes to the vapor
  • Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a heat exchanger, a pipe for sending air compressed in a first compressor to be cooled in the heat exchanger, a system of columns, a pipe for sending the air cooled in the heat exchanger to be separated in the system of columns, a pipe for sending liquid oxygen from the system to be vaporized in the heat exchanger, a pipe for sending a flow of pressurized gas into the heat exchanger, a cryogenic expansion turbine having a single wheel, a pipe connected to an intermediate point of the heat exchanger for sending a flow of gas which is air or a gas delivered from the system of columns from the heat exchanger to be expanded in the cryogenic expansion turbine, having an inlet temperature lower than ⁇ 100° C., a first single-stage booster compressor with an inlet temperature higher than ⁇ 50° C., a pipe, possibly connected to an intermediate point of the heat exchanger, for sending a gas which is air or a gas delivered from the system of columns, to be compressed in the first
  • FIG. 1 is a symbolic representation of a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a double column having an optional minaret, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a symbolic representation of a method of separating air by cryogenic distillation in a double column system wherein two booster compressors are used, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a flow of air compressed to the pressure of the first column, denoted by the reference MP, from the double column is split into two.
  • a flow 3 is cooled in a main heat exchanger E 1 and is sent to the first column MP.
  • the rest 5 of the air is compressed in an auxiliary booster compressor S and cooled in a cooler R before being split into two.
  • a part, 7 of the air is sent to the main heat exchanger E 1 where it is cooled down to an intermediate temperature of this exchanger which is lower than ⁇ 100° C. At this temperature, the flow 7 is sent to a turbine T where it is expanded to the pressure of the first column before being mixed with the flow 3 and sent to the first column.
  • Another part, 9 , of the air from the booster compressor S is sent to a first booster compressor B 1 without having been cooled in the heat exchanger E 1 .
  • the air 9 is then cooled in a cooler before being sent to the hot end of the heat exchanger where it is cooled to an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger which is nevertheless higher than the inlet temperature of the turbine T.
  • the air 9 leaves the exchanger E 1 at this intermediate temperature and is compressed in a second booster compressor B 2 .
  • the compressed air is returned to the exchanger E 1 at a temperature higher either than the intermediate temperature or the inlet temperature of the turbine T.
  • the air compressed in B 2 continues to be cooled in the heat exchanger E 1 as far as the cold end and is expanded in a valve V to return to the column MP in liquid or pseudo-condensed form. A part of this expanded liquid may also be returned to the low-pressure column BP.
  • the first and second booster compressors are both single-stage booster compressors having just one compression wheel.
  • the wheel of the first booster compressor B 1 , the wheel of the second booster compressor B 2 and the wheel of the turbine T are mounted on the same rotation shaft, or on securely connected shafts.
  • the turbine T is not coupled either to a generator or to an oil brake. It drives only the first and second booster compressors B 1 , B 2 .
  • the first booster compressor B 1 has an inlet temperature higher than ⁇ 50° C., possibly higher than 0° C., preferably higher than 10° C.
  • the second booster compressor B 2 has an inlet temperature lower than ⁇ 100° C.
  • a liquid enriched in oxygen and a liquid enriched in nitrogen are sent from the first column MP to the second column, denoted by the reference BP, as reflux liquids.
  • An overhead gas of the first column condenses in a bottom condenser of the second column and is condensed and returned to the first column.
  • just two booster compressors are used.
  • the air flow 1 compressed to a pressure at least 5 bar higher than the pressure of the first column is divided into two parts 7 , 9 .
  • the part 7 is sent to the main heat exchanger E 1 where it is cooled down to an intermediate temperature of this exchanger which is lower than ⁇ 100° C. At this temperature, the flow 7 is sent to a turbine T where it is expanded to the pressure of the first column.
  • the part 9 of the air is compressed in a second booster compressor B 2 .
  • the compressed air is sent, after having been cooled in a water refrigerant, to the hot end of the heat exchanger E 1 where it is cooled to an intermediate temperature of the exchanger which is nevertheless higher than or equal to the inlet temperature of the turbine T.
  • the air 9 leaves the exchanger E 1 at this intermediate temperature and is compressed in a second booster compressor B 2 .
  • the compressed air is returned to the exchanger E 1 at a temperature higher than the inlet temperature of the turbine T.
  • the air compressed in B 2 continues to be cooled in the heat exchanger E 1 as far as the cold end and is expanded in a valve to return to the column MP in liquid or pseudo-condensed form. A part of this expanded liquid may also be returned to the low-pressure column BP.
  • the first and second booster compressors are both single-stage booster compressors B 1 , the wheel of the second booster compressor B 2 and the wheel of the turbine T are mounted on the same rotation shaft, or on securely connected shafts.
  • the turbine T is not coupled either to a generator or to an oil brake. It drives only the first and second booster compressors B 1 , B 2 .
  • the first booster compressor B 1 has an inlet temperature higher than 0° C.
  • the second booster compressor B 2 has an inlet temperature lower than ⁇ 100° C.
  • the work generated by the expansion turbine is used for the cryogenic compression step in the first booster compressor and for the compression step in the second booster compressor.
  • the operating conditions for the wheel of the expansion turbine T, the wheel of the first booster compressor B 1 and the wheel of the second booster compressor B 2 are defined to allow these three wheels to have the same rotational speed.
  • the wheel of the first booster compressor B 1 , the wheel of the second booster compressor B 2 and the wheel of the turbine T are mounted on the same rotation shaft in the figures.
  • each booster compressor may be connected to the wheel of the turbine by a rotation shaft, these shafts rotating at the same rotational speed.
  • the wheel of the first booster compressor and the wheel of the second booster compressor at least one has an efficiency lower than that which it would have, under the same operating conditions, at another rotational speed.
  • At least one, or even at least two, or even all of the wheels do not operate at their optimal efficiency.

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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)
US16/755,821 2017-10-13 2018-08-30 Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation Pending US20200333069A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1701070 2017-10-13
FR1701070A FR3072451B1 (fr) 2017-10-13 2017-10-13 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
PCT/FR2018/052130 WO2019073132A1 (fr) 2017-10-13 2018-08-30 Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique

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EP (1) EP3695180B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN111183328B (fr)
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US20220282914A1 (en) * 2019-07-26 2022-09-08 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

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5596885A (en) * 1994-06-20 1997-01-28 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen under pressure
US9945606B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2018-04-17 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and system for the production of pressurized air gas by cryogenic distillation of air

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US2608070A (en) * 1944-02-11 1952-08-26 Kapitza Peter Leonidovitch Method and means for distillation of low boiling point liquids
DE1199293B (de) * 1963-03-29 1965-08-26 Linde Eismasch Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Luftzerlegung in einem Einsaeulenrektifikator
GB1471404A (en) * 1973-04-17 1977-04-27 Petrocarbon Dev Ltd Reliquefaction of boil-off gas
US6962062B2 (en) * 2003-12-10 2005-11-08 L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Proédés Georges Claude Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation
FR2913759B1 (fr) * 2007-03-13 2013-08-16 Air Liquide Procede et appareil de production de gaz de l'air sous forme gazeuse et liquide a haute flexibilite par distillation cryogenique.
FR2973485B1 (fr) * 2011-03-29 2017-11-24 L'air Liquide Sa Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Procede et appareil de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique
CN105579686B (zh) * 2013-06-28 2018-02-23 埃克森美孚上游研究公司 利用轴向流膨胀机的系统和方法
EP2963367A1 (fr) * 2014-07-05 2016-01-06 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Procédé et dispositif cryogéniques de séparation d'air avec consommation d'énergie variable

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US5596885A (en) * 1994-06-20 1997-01-28 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen under pressure
US9945606B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2018-04-17 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and system for the production of pressurized air gas by cryogenic distillation of air

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WO2019073132A1 (fr) 2019-04-18
EP3695180A1 (fr) 2020-08-19
FR3072451B1 (fr) 2022-01-21
CN111183328B (zh) 2022-11-08
CN111183328A (zh) 2020-05-19
FR3072451A1 (fr) 2019-04-19
EP3695180B1 (fr) 2024-06-05

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