US2959021A - Process for air separation by liquefaction and rectification - Google Patents

Process for air separation by liquefaction and rectification Download PDF

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Publication number
US2959021A
US2959021A US682151A US68215157A US2959021A US 2959021 A US2959021 A US 2959021A US 682151 A US682151 A US 682151A US 68215157 A US68215157 A US 68215157A US 2959021 A US2959021 A US 2959021A
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Prior art keywords
air
oxygen
rectification
liquid
heat exchange
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US682151A
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English (en)
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Grenier Maurice
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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
    • F25J3/04078—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
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/0002—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the fluid to be liquefied
    • F25J1/0012—Primary atmospheric gases, e.g. 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
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/0035—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work
    • F25J1/0037—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by gas expansion with extraction of work of a return stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/003—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production
    • F25J1/0032—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration"
    • F25J1/004—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures characterised by the kind of cold generation within the liquefaction unit for compensating heat leaks and liquid production using the feed stream itself or separated fractions from it, i.e. "internal refrigeration" by flash gas recovery
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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
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0221—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open refrigeration loop
    • F25J1/0224—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process using the cold stored in an external cryogenic component in an open refrigeration loop in combination with an internal quasi-closed refrigeration loop
    • 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
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0228—Coupling of the liquefaction unit to other units or processes, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J1/0234—Integration with a cryogenic air separation unit
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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
    • F25J1/00—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
    • F25J1/02—Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen ; Details and kind of the refrigeration system used; Integration with other units or processes; Controlling aspects of the process
    • F25J1/0243—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used; Details of the refrigerant compression system used
    • F25J1/0244—Operation; Control and regulation; Instrumentation
    • F25J1/0245—Different modes, i.e. 'runs', of operation; Process control
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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
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04163—Hot end purification of the feed air
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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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04224—Cores associated with a liquefaction or refrigeration cycle
    • 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
    • F25J3/04254—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using the cold stored in external cryogenic fluids
    • 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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    • 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
    • F25J3/04339—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 air
    • F25J3/04345—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 air and comprising a gas work expansion loop
    • 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
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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
    • F25J3/04406—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
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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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04472—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the cold from cryogenic liquids produced within the air fractionation unit and stored in internal or intermediate storages
    • F25J3/04496—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the cold from cryogenic liquids produced within the air fractionation unit and stored in internal or intermediate storages for compensating variable air feed or variable product demand by alternating between periods of liquid storage and liquid assist
    • F25J3/04503—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the cold from cryogenic liquids produced within the air fractionation unit and stored in internal or intermediate storages for compensating variable air feed or variable product demand by alternating between periods of liquid storage and liquid assist by exchanging "cold" between at least two different cryogenic liquids, e.g. independently from the main heat exchange line of the air fractionation and/or by using external alternating storage systems
    • F25J3/04509—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the cold from cryogenic liquids produced within the air fractionation unit and stored in internal or intermediate storages for compensating variable air feed or variable product demand by alternating between periods of liquid storage and liquid assist by exchanging "cold" between at least two different cryogenic liquids, e.g. independently from the main heat exchange line of the air fractionation and/or by using external alternating storage systems within the cold part of the air fractionation, i.e. exchanging "cold" within the fractionation and/or main heat exchange line
    • F25J3/04515—Simultaneously changing air feed and products output
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    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
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    • F25J3/04951—Arrangements of multiple air fractionation units or multiple equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple trains in a network
    • F25J3/04963—Arrangements of multiple air fractionation units or multiple equipments fulfilling the same process step, e.g. multiple trains in a network and inter-connecting equipment within or downstream of the fractionation unit(s)
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    • F25J2210/50—Oxygen
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    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen
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    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/04—Internal refrigeration with work-producing gas expansion loop
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    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/08—Internal refrigeration by flash gas recovery loop
    • 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
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/912—External refrigeration system
    • Y10S62/913—Liquified gas

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for separating air into its elements by liquefaction and rectification,- in which oxygen is taken off, at least partly, in a liquid condition, then at least partly warmed up in counter current to a first air fraction under pressure, which'is then expanded and partly liquefied, while the remaining elements of air are taken off in a gaseous condition and warmed up in counter-current to a second air fraction under pressure which is then introduced at a constant cold content into the rectification apparatus.
  • the process of the invention consists in that the unliquefied portion of the first fraction of air under pressure is sent for heat exchange with said first air fraction, then is evacuated while the liquefied portion of said first air fraction is introduced alone and at a-constant rate into the rectification apparatus. Two circuits are thus maintained for supplying, independently,tthe rectification apparatus, both at a constant rate:
  • the air of the first fraction being liquefied at a variable rate, varying with the rate of flow of oxygen which is vaporized simultaneously, it is convenient, in practice, to interpose, before the rectification apparatus liquid air 2,959,021 Patented Nov. 8,
  • the liquid oxygen taken from the rectification apparatus is preferably sent also to storage means, from which it is taken to be warmed up, possibly after compression in'a liquid condition.
  • Such storage means makes it possible to effect the takeofisfat variable rates, or even in a discontinuous manher, without disturbing the operation of the rectification columns.
  • Air is compressed at a constant rate, and a variable proportion, which constitutes the above mentioned first frac tion, is sent for heat exchange with the oxygen to be;
  • a specially important use of the invention relates tothe case when the plant for the vaporization of oxygen .is-
  • the plant may not be unique and in the most frequent case, there corresponds to a rectification plant of a relatively large capacity, a number of vaporization plants of lesser.
  • the rectification plant supplies, at a constant rate, the adjacent storage means; liquid oxygen is sent, therefrom, to the storage means of the vaporizing plant by a known conveying means, for instance tank trucks or through a pipe.
  • the oxygen is vaporized at a variable rate by heat exchange with compressed air which is liquefied also at a variable rate and which is stored in storage means.
  • the same conveying means when returning, brings liquid air taken from that store to the store adjacent to the rectifioation apparatus, the latter storage means feeding the installation at a constant rate.
  • the plants of rectification on the one hand, and of oxygen vaporizing and air liquefyingon the other hand are made independent of each other, so that one may without any inconvenience, stop one of themmomentarily without hindering the operation of the other one,. as long as the storage means which supplies the latter is not exhausted. It is possible, for instance,. to have the rectification plant operate intermittently only, during periods in the day when power is available at a lower cost, for instance at night. In addition, one may proceed Without any drawback with the necessary periodic frost removals.
  • Figure 1 represents a plant for the separation of air into its elements by rectification supplying the entiretyof the oxygen in a liquid condition, with, on the one hand, a
  • Figure 2 represents a plant for the vaporization of oxygen under a moderate pressure, with a concomitant air liquefaction.
  • the air is brought at a constant rate through conduit 1 to the turbo-compressor 2 which raises it to a relatively low pressure, of the order, for instance, of kg./cm. abso lute.
  • the compressed air is sent through conduit 3 to one of the exchangers-regenerators of one pair 4A-4B which ensures, simultaneously its cooling and its purification by depositing of water and carbon dioxide.
  • the air passes through one of the regenerators, there passes through the other one cold gaseous nitrogen from the rectification plant.
  • the connections of these regenerators with the air and nitrogen conduits are interchanged at fixed time intervals, in accordance with a known method, by means of a set of valves.
  • the air Upon issuing from the regenerator, the air is sent, through the conduit 5 to the rectification plant 6.
  • the latter comprises a high pressure column 7 and a low' pressure column, 8, in which the pressure is closeto theatmospheric pressure. These two columns are in mutual heat exchange relation by means of the condenser vaporizer 9.
  • the air In the high pressure column 7, the air is sep-- arated into a liquid enriched in oxygen, gathered at the bottom of the column, and impure nitrogen which condenses in the condenser 9 and is collected in the troughs 9A.
  • the air enriched in oxygen is tapped through the conduit 10 and sent to the exchanger-eoolerll where it is cooled. by the gaseous nitrogen from the top. of. the lowpressurecolumn; then it is introduced through therexpan sion valve 12 into that column at 12A.
  • the impure liquid nitrogen gathered in the troughs 9A; is sent through the conduit 13 to the exchanger cooler 14 where it is cooled by the gaseous nitrogen from the top of the low pressure column. It is then introduced; through the expansion: valve 15 and 15Arinto'thetop of.
  • the low pressure column is further supplied with liquid air accumulated in the tank 16 which receives, at a variable rate, liquid air produced in the adjacent oxygen vaporizing plant.
  • the liquid air is tapped from the tank through the conduit 17 and introduced at a constant rate controlled by the valve 18 at 18A into the low pressure column.
  • the air is separated, in the low pressure column, into pure oxygen, which is collected at the bottom thereof, around the tubes of the condenser-vaporizer 9 and into pure gaseous nitrogen, which is released at the top of the column through the conduit 22,
  • the pure liquid oxygen is sent, through the valve 19 and conduit 19A to the tank 20, where it accumulates.
  • the gaseous oxygen which is released in that tank is brought back through the conduit 21 to the low pressure rectification column.
  • the gaseous nitrogen released at the top of the low pressure column is sent, through conduit 22 to the coolers 14 and 11, where it cools successively the impure liquid nitrogen, and the liquid enriched with oxygen from the high pressure column. Then through the conduit 32, it goes to one of the exchangers-regenerators 4A-4B already described, where it heats up and vaporises the impurities of the incoming air. It is evacuated through conduit 24.
  • the liquid oxygen accumulated in the tankztl is evacuated as follows, according to the use intended for it. If it is desired to evacuate it in a liquid condition, for instance for loading vehicles for its transportation to long. distances, it is extracted directly through the valve 25. If, on the other hand, it is desired to heat it on the spot, for instance under a high pressure close to kg./cm. with a view to the filling of storing cylinders, it is sent, through the valve 26 and conduit 27 to the pump 28, which raises its pressure to the desired value. Then through conduit 29 it goes to the exchanger 30, the so- In the latter, the oxygen is vaporised by heat exchange with cold air circulating in countercurrent, which it allows to be liquefied. Then it goes to the exchanger 31, the so-called hot exchanger, where it is warmed up substantially to room temperature by a heat exchange with compressed air. It is finally sent through the conduit 32 to the device for its utilization.
  • the air which it is desired to liquefy at least partly for feeding the tank 16 associated with the rectification plant is sent at a constant rate through the conduit 37 to the compressor 38 which raises it to a high pressure. higher than that it is desired to obtain for oxygen, for instance 200 kg./cm.
  • It is purified in a known manner, in the purifying device 39, then cooled in the hot exchanger 31, in counter-current, either of vaporized oxygen or of expanded air as indicated hereinafter or of both. It is evacuated therefrom through the conduit 40 and separated into two portions, in proportions which are adjustable according to the cold contribution from the vaporization of'oxygen.
  • the first portion is sent through the valve 41 to the liquefier exchanger, 30, where it is cooled by heat exchange with liquid oxygen and the cold expanded air, already mentioned.
  • conduit 42 it goes to the cooling exchanger 43, where it is cooled by the gaseous air evolved in the tank 16, then sent through conduit 44 and the expansion valve 45 to that same tank.
  • the gaseous air evolved in that tank is sent, through the conduit 48 to the cooling exchanger 43 then united through the conduit 49 with the expanded and cold air at the entrance to the liquefier exchanger 30.
  • the second portion of the compressed air intended'for supplying the necessary amount of cold by expansion with external work when the cold supplied by the vaporization of oxygen is insufiicient, is sent, in an amount whichcan be controlled by the valve 50 and the conduit 51 to the expansion machine 52 then through the con duit:53 tothe liquefier-exchanger 30,- after addition-eithev.3 cold air from the tank 16 brought through the conduit 49. It then passes through the hot exchanger 31 then is evacuated substantially at room temperature through the conduit 54.
  • the plant for vaporizing oxygen at a moderate pressure represented in Figure 2 offers the same overall arrangement as the device for heating the oxygen with a concomitant cooling of air, which constituted a part of the plant just described. It has been modified a little, however, for responding more easily to the very important variations of the rates of oxygen to be vaporized and air to be liquefied; it comprises two liquid oxygen pumps instead of one, and two air expansion turbines instead of one alternating expansion machine.
  • the tank for liquid oxygen 20 is supplied by means of transport vehicles loaded with liquid oxygen at a rectification plant and which discharge that oxygen, after the valve 19 has been opened, into the conduit 19A. These same transport vehicles are then loaded with the liquid air accumulated in the tank for storing it, through the conduit 17, after the valve 18 has been opened, then bring this liquid air back to a storage tank adjacent to a rectification plant.
  • the oxygen vaporizing plant operates in one of the following manners, the rate of flow of the compressed air introduced into the installation remaining constant.
  • the amount of oxygen to be vaporized is medium.
  • a single one of the liquid oxygen pumps, 28A for instance, is in operation, the corresponding valve 26A being open.
  • a single one of the expansion turbines 52A for instance is in operation, the valve 50A being open and the valve 50B closed.
  • a more important proportion of the incoming compressed air goes through the valve 41 and liquefies in the liquefier-exchanger 30;
  • a method for producing oxygen according to a variable demand by the liquefaction and rectification of air comprising the steps of: taking off at least part of the oxygen product of rectification in a liquid condition and at least partly warming it up in heat exchange with a first air fraction under pressure, taking ofi in a gaseous condition the remaining products of the rectification and warming them up in heat exchange with a second air fraci tion under pressure, expanding said first air fraction and partly liquefying it, warming up the unliquefied part thereof by heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, feeding the liquefied part thereof to a store of liquid air, then supplying it to the rectification zone at a constant rate, and introducing said second air fraction at a constant rate and a constant cold contet into the rectification zone.
  • a method for producing oxygen by the liquefaction and rectification of air in at least two rectifying zonesunder successively lower pressures and supplying it to a variable demand comprising the steps of: taking off the oxygen product, at least in part, in the liquid condition from a rectification zone, then at least partly warming it up by heat exchange with a first air fraction, which is thereafter expanded and partly liquefied, taking oif the remaining products of the rectification in the gaseous condition and warming them up by heat exchange with a second air fraction under pressure, which is thereafter introduced at a constant rate and a constant cold content into at least a rectifying zone, sending the unliquefied part of the first air fraction into heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, and introducing the liquefied part of said first air fraction at a constant rate into the rectifying zone under the lowest pressure.
  • a method for producing oxygen according to variable demand by the liquefaction and rectification of air comprising the steps of: taking off at least part of the oxygen product in the liquid state and feeding it to 'a store of liquid oxygen, taking it from said store and at least partly warming it up by heat exchange with a first air fraction under a relatively high pressure, taking off in the gaseous state at least part of the nitrogen product of the rectification, and warming it up by heat exchange with a second air fraction under a relatively low pressure, expanding said first air fraction and partly liquefying it, warming up the unliquefied part of said first air frac' tion by heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, feeding the liquefied part of said first air fraction at a constant rate into the rectification zone, and introducing said second air fraction at a constant rate and a constant cold content into said rectification zone.
  • a method for producing oxygen by the liquefaction and rectification of air and supplying it under pressure to a variable demand comprising the steps of: drawing off the oxygen from the rectification zone, at least in part, in the liquid state and feeding it to a store of liquid oxygen, taking it from said store, compressing it in the liquid state and warming it up in heat exchange with a first air fraction under pressure, taking off in the gaseous state the remaining products of the rectification and warming them up in heat exchange with a second air fraction under pressure, expanding said first air fraction and liquefying it, reheating the unliquefied part of said first air fraction by heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, feeding the liquefied part of said first air fraction at a constant rate into the rectification zone, and introducing said second air fraction at a constant rate and a constant cold content into the rectification zone.
  • a method for producing oxygen by the liquefaction and rectification of air according to a variable demand comprising the steps of: taking off at least part of the oxygen product of rectification in the liquid state, at least partly warming it up in heat exchange with a first air fraction under pressure, taking oif in the gaseous state the remaining products of rectification and warming them up in heat exchange with a second air fraction under pressure, compressing air at a constant rate, cooling a variable portion thereof, constituting said first air fraction, in heat exchange with the liquid oxygen to be warmed up, expanding with external work the remaining portion of said compressed air, warming it up by heat exchange with said first air fraction and evacuating it, expanding said first air fraction and partly liquefying it, reheating the unliquefied part thereof by heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, feeding the liquefied part of said first air fraction at a constant rate to the rectification zone, and introducing said second air fraction at a constant rate and a constant cold content into the rectification zone.
  • a method for producing oxygen by the liquefaction and rectification of air and delivering it to a variable demand comprising taking oif at least part of the oxygen product of rectification in the liquid state and feeding it to a liquid oxygen store associated with the rectification zone, bringing it therefrom to at least a store associated with a remote oxygen consumption and air liquefaction zone, taking it from last said store and at least partly warming it up in heat exchange with a first air fraction under pressure, expanding said first air fraction and partly liquefying it, reheating the unliquefied part of said first air fraction by heat exchange with said first air fraction, and thereafter evacuating it, feeding the liquefied part of said first air fraction to a liquid air store associated with said oxygen consumption and air liquefaction zone, bringing it from said store to a store associated with said rectification zone, supplying it to said rectification zone at a constant rate, taking off in the gaseous state the remaining products of the rectification and warming them up by heat exchange with a second air fraction under
  • a method for warming under pressure liquid oxygen and supplying it to a variable demand, and simultaneously liquefying air comprising taking off liquid oxygen at a variable rate from a store, compressing it in the liquid state, warming it up in heat exchange with air under pressure, compressing air at a constant rate, cooling a first variable portion thereof in heat exchange with said compressed liquid oxygen, expanding it and partly liquefying it, feeding it to a liquid air store, evacuating from said store the unliquefied part of said portion and warming it up in heat exchange with said portion, expanding with external work the remaining portion of said air, warming it up in heat exchange with said first portion and evacuating it.
  • a method for warming under pressure liquid oxygen and supplying it to a consumer system having periods of no demand, periods of middle demand and periods of large demand, and simultaneously liquefying air comprising: providing a store of liquid oxygen and a store of liquid air, compressing air at a constant rate, cooling it, expanding it and partly liquefying it, feeding the liquefied part thereof to said liquid air store and Warming up the unliquefied part thereof by heat exchange with said compressed air; during periods of no demand, expanding with external work a large part of the compressed air, while submitting to a free expansion the remainder of the compressed air; during periods of middle demand, expanding with external work a smaller part of the compressed air, while still submitting to said free expansion the remainder of the compressed air, drawing off some liquid oxygen from said liquid oxygen store, and warming it up by heating exchange with said compressed air; during periods of large demand, drawing ofi' a large amount of liquid oxygen from said liquid oxygen store, and warming it up by heat exchange with the compressed air, while submitting the whole of the compressed air to said free expansion.
  • Apparatus for supplying oxygen to a consumer system having a variable demand comprising an air rectification system, a liquid oxygen container, piping means for introducing liquid oxygen from the oxygen reboiler of said rectification system into said liquid oxygen container, a liquid oxygen warming and air liquefying heat exchanger, piping means passing liquid oxygen from said container into said heat exchanger, a first air compressor, an air expander and valve and piping means associated therewith for passing part of the compressed air through said expander, heat exchange means between the compressed air and the air passed through the expander, a liquid air container, piping means and an expansion valve for feeding the compressed cooled air into said liquid air container, piping means and a control valve associated therewith for feeding liquid air from the liquid air container into said rectification system, piping means and heat exchange means for evacuating and warming up unliquefied air from said liquid air container, piping means for withdrawing the remaining rectification products from said rectification system, a second air compressor and piping means for introducing a compressed air
  • a liquid oxygen warming and air liquefying apparatus adapted to receive a liquid oxygen supply from a distant air rectification apparatus and to produce gaseous oxygen for an oxygen consumer system having a variable demand, comprising a liquid oxygen container, a liquid oxygen warming and air liquefying heat exchanger, piping means and at least a liquid oxygen pump associated therewith for passing liquid oxygen from said container into said heat exchanger, an air compressor, at least an air expander and valve and piping means associated therewith for passing part of the compressed airthrough said expander, heat exchange means between the compressed air and the air passed through the expander, a liquid air container, piping means and an expansion valve for feeding the compressed cooled air into said liquid air container, and piping means and heat exchange means for evacuating and warming up the unliquefied air from said liquid air container.
  • a liquid oxygen warming and air liquefying apparatus consist of at least two pipes and pumps in parallel, and the valve and piping means for passing compressed air to expanders consist of at least tWo lines in parallel, each provided with an expander.

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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)
US682151A 1956-09-25 1957-09-05 Process for air separation by liquefaction and rectification Expired - Lifetime US2959021A (en)

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US (1) US2959021A (es)
BE (1) BE560692A (es)
DE (1) DE1056633B (es)
FR (1) FR1158639A (es)
GB (1) GB826298A (es)
LU (1) LU35441A1 (es)
NL (2) NL108862C (es)

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US3180709A (en) * 1961-06-29 1965-04-27 Union Carbide Corp Process for liquefaction of lowboiling gases
US3237418A (en) * 1960-10-26 1966-03-01 Philips Corp Apparatus and method for producing liquid oxygen and/or liquid nitrogen by low temperature rectification of atmospheric air
US5987918A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-11-23 The Boc Group, Inc. Method of separating nitrogen from air
US20050132746A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-23 Jean-Renaud Brugerolle Cryogenic air separation process and apparatus

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US3174293A (en) * 1960-11-14 1965-03-23 Linde Eismasch Ag System for providing gas separation products at varying rates
GB929798A (en) * 1960-04-11 1963-06-26 British Oxygen Co Ltd Low temperature separation of air
GB917695A (en) * 1960-10-17 1963-02-06 British Oxygen Co Ltd Improvements in the cold separation of air
US3182461A (en) * 1961-09-19 1965-05-11 Hydrocarbon Research Inc Natural gas liquefaction and separation
GB1314347A (en) * 1970-03-16 1973-04-18 Air Prod Ltd Air rectification process for the production of oxygen
GB2129115B (en) * 1982-10-27 1986-03-12 Air Prod & Chem Producing gaseous nitrogen
FR2706195B1 (fr) † 1993-06-07 1995-07-28 Air Liquide Procédé et unité de fourniture d'un gaz sous pression à une installation consommatrice d'un constituant de l'air.
FR2710370B1 (fr) * 1993-09-21 1995-12-08 Air Liquide Procédé et ensemble de compression d'un gaz.
DE4415747C2 (de) * 1994-05-04 1996-04-25 Linde Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft
FR2723184B1 (fr) 1994-07-29 1996-09-06 Grenier Maurice Procede et installation de production d'oxygene gazeux sous pression a debit variable

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US2503939A (en) * 1944-12-26 1950-04-11 Baufre William Lane De Process and apparatus for removing water vapor and carb on dioxide from gases
DE803301C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-04-02 Adolf Messer G M B H Verfahren zum Kaltfahren von Anlagen zur Verfluessigung oder Zerlegung von Gasen bzw. Gasgemischen
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US2503939A (en) * 1944-12-26 1950-04-11 Baufre William Lane De Process and apparatus for removing water vapor and carb on dioxide from gases
US2626510A (en) * 1947-06-18 1953-01-27 Air Prod Inc Air fractionating cycle and apparatus
DE803301C (de) * 1948-10-02 1951-04-02 Adolf Messer G M B H Verfahren zum Kaltfahren von Anlagen zur Verfluessigung oder Zerlegung von Gasen bzw. Gasgemischen
US2741094A (en) * 1951-08-27 1956-04-10 British Oxygen Co Ltd Method of and apparatus for dispensing gases
US2712738A (en) * 1952-01-10 1955-07-12 Linde S Eismaschinen Ag Method for fractionating air by liquefaction and rectification
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US3237418A (en) * 1960-10-26 1966-03-01 Philips Corp Apparatus and method for producing liquid oxygen and/or liquid nitrogen by low temperature rectification of atmospheric air
US3180709A (en) * 1961-06-29 1965-04-27 Union Carbide Corp Process for liquefaction of lowboiling gases
US5987918A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-11-23 The Boc Group, Inc. Method of separating nitrogen from air
US20050132746A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-06-23 Jean-Renaud Brugerolle Cryogenic air separation process and apparatus
WO2005064252A1 (en) * 2003-12-23 2005-07-14 L'air Liquide - Societe Anonyme A Directoire Et Conseil De Surveillance Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Cryogenic air separation process and apparatus
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE560692A (es) 1900-01-01
NL221053A (es) 1900-01-01
GB826298A (en) 1959-12-31
FR1158639A (fr) 1958-06-17
NL108862C (es) 1900-01-01
DE1056633B (de) 1959-05-06
LU35441A1 (es)

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