EP0870524A1 - Plant for separating a gas mixture by distillation - Google Patents

Plant for separating a gas mixture by distillation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0870524A1
EP0870524A1 EP98400834A EP98400834A EP0870524A1 EP 0870524 A1 EP0870524 A1 EP 0870524A1 EP 98400834 A EP98400834 A EP 98400834A EP 98400834 A EP98400834 A EP 98400834A EP 0870524 A1 EP0870524 A1 EP 0870524A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
columns
section
column
same height
installation according
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98400834A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Olivier Bruder
Bernard Darredeau
Jean-Yves Lehman
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
Air Liquide SA
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 Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP0870524A1 publication Critical patent/EP0870524A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/0489—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
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04678—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser cooled by oxygen enriched liquid from high pressure column bottoms
    • 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
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04703—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser being arranged in more than one vessel
    • 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
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
    • 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
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
    • F25J3/04878—Side by side arrangement of multiple vessels in a main column system, wherein the vessels are normally mounted one upon the other or forming different sections of the same 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
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/02—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams using a pump in general or hydrostatic pressure increase
    • 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
    • Y10S62/90—Triple column
    • 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
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/905—Column
    • 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
    • Y10S62/902—Apparatus
    • Y10S62/911—Portable

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation for separating a gas mixture by distillation and, in particular, by cryogenic distillation.
  • cryogenic distillation installations a set of distillation columns is enclosed in a cold box in order to isolate it from the ambient heat.
  • the height of the cold box is generally determined by the height of the longest column.
  • argon of less than 1 ppm of oxygen by cryogenic way, it is necessary to install up to 250 trays in the argon column which makes the cold box very high and poses instability problems. It also contains a lot empty spaces which must be filled with insulating material.
  • DE-A-2633272 describes a double column with a low column pressure in two sections, the head of the two sections being at the same height.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to make the cold boxes more compact and reduce the empty spaces inside.
  • a separation installation of a gaseous mixture by distillation comprising at least two columns, the heads of two of the columns being at the same height, characterized in that minus two of the columns have the same height.
  • Figure 1 shows a double column 1 consisting of a column medium pressure 2 and a low pressure column 3, thermally connected by a reboiler-condenser.
  • An argon column in two sections 5A, 5B is supplied with a fluid enriched with argon from the lower column pressure.
  • the heads of the two sections of the argon 5 column and the column low pressure 3 are on the same level.
  • a liquid nitrogen storage 7 is located in the space below the argon column.
  • the cold box 9 contains the double column 1, the argon column 5 and the storage 7.
  • Figure 2 shows a double column 1, the lower column of which pressure is in two sections 3A, 3B.
  • the heads of the two sections 3A, 3B are at the same level.
  • the tank of second section 3B is supplied with overhead gas from the first section 3A and liquid is returned from the tank of the second section to the head of the first section.
  • the height of the second section 3B is identical to the total height of the first section 3A and the medium pressure column 2.
  • Figure 2 could obviously be adapted to include a argon column supplied by sections 3A, 3B of the low pressure column.
  • Figure 1 could include a storage of oxygen, nitrogen or argon below section 5A.

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  • 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

Cryogenic distillation plant for separating gas mixtures comprises two or more upright distillation columns, of which at least two have their top ends on one level and at least two are of equal height.

Description

La présente invention est relative à une installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation et, en particulier, par distillation cryogénique.The present invention relates to an installation for separating a gas mixture by distillation and, in particular, by cryogenic distillation.

Dans les installations de distillation cryogénique, un ensemble de colonnes de distillation est enfermé dans une boíte froide afin de l'isoler de la chaleur ambiante. La hauteur de la boíte froide est généralement déterminée par la hauteur de la colonne la plus longue. De nos jours, pour produire de l'argon de moins de 1 ppm d'oxygène par voie cryogénique, il faut installer jusqu'à 250 plateaux dans la colonne argon ce qui rend la boíte froide très haute et pose des problèmes d'instabilité. Elle contient de plus beaucoup d'espaces vides qui doivent être remplis de matière isolante.In cryogenic distillation installations, a set of distillation columns is enclosed in a cold box in order to isolate it from the ambient heat. The height of the cold box is generally determined by the height of the longest column. Nowadays, to produce argon of less than 1 ppm of oxygen by cryogenic way, it is necessary to install up to 250 trays in the argon column which makes the cold box very high and poses instability problems. It also contains a lot empty spaces which must be filled with insulating material.

DE-A-2633272 décrit une double colonne avec une colonne basse pression en deux tronçons, la tête des deux tronçons étant à la même hauteur.DE-A-2633272 describes a double column with a low column pressure in two sections, the head of the two sections being at the same height.

Le but de la présente invention est de rendre les boítes froides plus compactes et de réduire les espaces vides à l'intérieur.The purpose of the present invention is to make the cold boxes more compact and reduce the empty spaces inside.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu une installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation comprenant au moins deux colonnes, les têtes de deux des colonnes étant à la même hauteur, caractérisée en ce.qu'au moins deux des colonnes ont la même hauteur.According to an object of the invention, there is provided a separation installation of a gaseous mixture by distillation comprising at least two columns, the heads of two of the columns being at the same height, characterized in that minus two of the columns have the same height.

Selon d'autres aspects de l'invention, il est prévu que :

  • deux des colonnes ont la même hauteur et les têtes de ces colonnes sont à la même hauteur
  • les têtes de trois des colonnes sont à la même hauteur.
  • les têtes de toutes les colonnes sont à la même hauteur.
  • les colonnes sont adaptées à la séparation de l'air et comprennent une première colonne capable d'opérer à une moyenne pression, une deuxième colonne comprenant deux tronçons capables d'opérer à une basse pression, la première colonne et le premier tronçon étant reliés thermiquement par un rebouilleur-condenseur, des moyens pour envoyer des fluides de la première colonne au deuxième tronçon et des moyens pour envoyer un gaz de tête du premier tronçon à la cuve du deuxième tronçon et un liquide de cuve du deuxième tronçon à la tête du premier tronçon, le deuxième tronçon (3B) ayant éventuellement la même hauteur que la hauteur du premier tronçon et de la première colonne.
  • quatre colonnes sont adaptées à la séparation de l'air dont deux colonnes adaptées à la séparation d'un mélange enrichi en argon.
  • une des colonnes est plus courte qu'au moins une des autres et en ce qu'un stockage est localisé dans l'espace en dessous de celle-là.
According to other aspects of the invention, it is intended that:
  • two of the columns are the same height and the heads of these columns are the same height
  • the heads of three of the columns are at the same height.
  • the heads of all the columns are at the same height.
  • the columns are suitable for air separation and include a first column capable of operating at medium pressure, a second column comprising two sections capable of operating at low pressure, the first column and the first section being thermally connected by a reboiler-condenser, means for sending fluids from the first column to the second section and means for sending a head gas from the first section to the tank of the second section and a tank liquid from the second section to the head of the first section, the second section (3B) possibly having the same height as the height of the first section and the first column.
  • four columns are suitable for the separation of air, including two columns suitable for the separation of a mixture enriched in argon.
  • one of the columns is shorter than at least one of the others and in that a storage unit is located in the space below that one.

Un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention va maintenant être décrit en regard des dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement une installation de production d'oxygène et d'argon selon l'invention.
  • la figure 2 représente schématiquement une installation de production d'azote et d'oxygène selon l'invention.
An example of implementation of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents an installation for producing oxygen and argon according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 schematically represents an installation for producing nitrogen and oxygen according to the invention.

La figure 1 montre une double colonne 1 constituée par une colonne moyenne pression 2 et une colonne basse pression 3, reliées thermiquement par un rebouilleur-condenseur. Une colonne argon en deux tronçons 5A, 5B est alimentée en un fluide enrichi en argon provenant de la colonne basse pression. Les têtes des deux tronçons de la colonne argon 5 et la colonne basse pression 3 se trouvent au même niveau.Figure 1 shows a double column 1 consisting of a column medium pressure 2 and a low pressure column 3, thermally connected by a reboiler-condenser. An argon column in two sections 5A, 5B is supplied with a fluid enriched with argon from the lower column pressure. The heads of the two sections of the argon 5 column and the column low pressure 3 are on the same level.

Cette disposition correspond à celle de EP-A-628 777, ce document ne divulguant pas cependant que les têtes des colonnes sont toutes au même niveau.This provision corresponds to that of EP-A-628 777, this document does not not disclosing however that the column heads are all the same level.

Un stockage d'azote liquide 7 est situé dans l'espace en dessous de la colonne argon.A liquid nitrogen storage 7 is located in the space below the argon column.

La boíte froide 9 contient la double colonne 1, la colonne argon 5 et le stockage 7.The cold box 9 contains the double column 1, the argon column 5 and the storage 7.

La figure 2 montre une double colonne 1, dont la colonne basse pression est en deux tronçons 3A, 3B.Figure 2 shows a double column 1, the lower column of which pressure is in two sections 3A, 3B.

Les têtes des deux tronçons 3A, 3B sont au même niveau. La cuve du deuxième tronçon 3B est alimentée par du gaz de tête du premier tronçon 3A et du liquide est renvoyé de la cuve du deuxième tronçon à la tête du premier tronçon. The heads of the two sections 3A, 3B are at the same level. The tank of second section 3B is supplied with overhead gas from the first section 3A and liquid is returned from the tank of the second section to the head of the first section.

La hauteur du deuxième tronçon 3B est identique à la hauteur totale du premier tronçon 3A et la colonne moyenne pression 2.The height of the second section 3B is identical to the total height of the first section 3A and the medium pressure column 2.

On pourrait envisager de combiner les concepts des figures 1 et 2 avec une installation comprenant une colonne moyenne pression 2, une colonne basse pression en deux sections 3A, 3B et une colonne argon en deux sections 5A, 5B. Dans ce cas, la section 3B de la colonne basse pression pourrait être située en dessous de la section 5A de la colonne argon (ou le contraire).We could consider combining the concepts of Figures 1 and 2 with an installation comprising a medium pressure column 2, a column low pressure in two sections 3A, 3B and an argon column in two sections 5A, 5B. In this case, section 3B of the low pressure column could be located below section 5A of the argon column (or the opposite).

La figure 2 pourrait évidemment être adaptée pour comprendre une colonne argon alimentée par les sections 3A, 3B de la colonne basse pression.Figure 2 could obviously be adapted to include a argon column supplied by sections 3A, 3B of the low pressure column.

Evidemment, l'installation de la figure 1 pourrait comprendre un stockage d'oxygène, d'azote ou d'argon en dessous de la section 5A.Obviously, the installation of Figure 1 could include a storage of oxygen, nitrogen or argon below section 5A.

Claims (8)

Installation de séparation d'un mélange gazeux par distillation comprenant au moins deux colonnes (1, 3, 5) les têtes de deux des colonnes étant à la même hauteur, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins deux des colonnes ont la même hauteur.Installation for the separation of a gas mixture by distillation comprising at least two columns (1, 3, 5) the heads of two of the columns being at the same height, characterized in that at least two of the columns have the same height. Installation selon la revendication 1 selon laquelle deux des colonnes ont la même hauteur et les têtes de ces colonnes sont à la même hauteur.Installation according to claim 1, according to which two of the columns have the same height and the heads of these columns are at the same height. Installation selon les revendications 1 ou 2 caractérisée en ce que les têtes de trois des colonnes (1, 5A, 5B) sont à la même hauteur.Installation according to claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the heads of three of the columns (1, 5A, 5B) are at the same height. Installation selon les revendications 1, 2 ou 3 caractérisée en ce que les têtes de toutes les colonnes (1, 3, 5) sont à la même hauteur.Installation according to claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the heads of all the columns (1, 3, 5) are at the same height. Installation selon l'une des revendications précédentes caractérisée en ce que les colonnes (1, 2, 3, 5) sont adaptées à la séparation de l'air et comprennent une première colonne (2B) capable d'opérer à une moyenne pression, une deuxième colonne comprenant deux tronçons (3A, 3B) capables d'opérer à une basse pression, la colonne moyenne pression et le premier tronçon (3A) étant reliées thermiquement par un rebouilleur-condenseur, des moyens pour envoyer des fluides de la colonne moyenne pression au deuxième tronçon et des moyens pour envoyer un gaz de tête du premier tronçon à la cuve du deuxième tronçon et un liquide de cuve du deuxième tronçon à la tête du premier tronçon.Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the columns (1, 2, 3, 5) are suitable for the separation of air and include a first column (2B) capable of operating at an average pressure, a second column comprising two sections (3A, 3B) capable to operate at low pressure, the medium pressure column and the first section (3A) being thermally connected by a reboiler-condenser, means for sending fluids from the medium pressure column to the second section and means for sending a top gas from the first tank section of the second section and tank liquid of the second section at the head of the first section. Installation selon la revendication 5 dans laquelle le deuxième tronçon (3B) a la même hauteur que le premier tronçon et la première colonne.Installation according to claim 5 in which the second section (3B) has the same height as the first section and the first column. Installation selon l'une des revendications précédentes caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend quatre colonnes (2, 3, 5A, 5B) adaptées à la séparation de l'air dont deux colonnes (5A, 5B) adaptées à la séparation d'un mélange enrichi en argon.Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four columns (2, 3, 5A, 5B) adapted to the separation air, including two columns (5A, 5B) suitable for the separation of a mixture enriched with argon. Installation selon l'une des revendications précédentes caractérisée en ce qu'une des colonnes (5) est plus courte qu'au moins une des autres et en ce qu'un stockage (7) est localisé dans l'espace en dessous de celle-là.Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the columns (5) is shorter than at least one of the others and in that a storage (7) is located in the space below that.
EP98400834A 1997-04-11 1998-04-07 Plant for separating a gas mixture by distillation Withdrawn EP0870524A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9704484 1997-04-11
FR9704484A FR2761897B1 (en) 1997-04-11 1997-04-11 INSTALLATION FOR SEPARATING A GAS MIXTURE BY DISTILLATION

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EP0870524A1 true EP0870524A1 (en) 1998-10-14

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EP (1) EP0870524A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH1172285A (en)
CA (1) CA2235054A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2761897B1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6691532B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2004-02-17 The Boc Group, Inc. Air separation units
FR2918162A1 (en) * 2007-03-12 2009-01-02 Air Liquide Air separation apparatus for cold box, has liquid supplying unit supplying liquid from head of medium-pressure column to subcooler and elongated shape member, and gas supplying unit supplying gas from head of member to subcooler
CN102425917A (en) * 2011-08-30 2012-04-25 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 Multifunctional rectifying tower
WO2020038607A3 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-04-16 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and installation for low temperature separation of air

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FR2946735B1 (en) * 2009-06-12 2012-07-13 Air Liquide APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIR SEPARATION BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION.
JP6257656B2 (en) * 2013-03-06 2018-01-10 リンデ アクチエンゲゼルシャフトＬｉｎｄｅ Ａｋｔｉｅｎｇｅｓｅｌｌｓｃｈａｆｔ Air separation device, method for obtaining a product containing argon, and method for building an air separation device

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DE2633272A1 (en) * 1976-07-23 1978-01-26 Linde Ag Dual-pressure rectification using two columns - the first having the high-pressure stage and part of the low-pressure
EP0628777A1 (en) * 1993-05-28 1994-12-14 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Process and apparatus for obtaining argon

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6691532B2 (en) 2001-11-13 2004-02-17 The Boc Group, Inc. Air separation units
FR2918162A1 (en) * 2007-03-12 2009-01-02 Air Liquide Air separation apparatus for cold box, has liquid supplying unit supplying liquid from head of medium-pressure column to subcooler and elongated shape member, and gas supplying unit supplying gas from head of member to subcooler
WO2008110732A3 (en) * 2007-03-12 2010-03-11 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and device for separating air by cryogenic distillation
CN102425917A (en) * 2011-08-30 2012-04-25 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 Multifunctional rectifying tower
CN102425917B (en) * 2011-08-30 2013-04-10 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 Multifunctional rectifying tower
WO2020038607A3 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-04-16 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and installation for low temperature separation of air
US11976880B2 (en) 2018-08-22 2024-05-07 Linde Gmbh Method and installation for low temperature separation of air

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH1172285A (en) 1999-03-16
FR2761897A1 (en) 1998-10-16
FR2761897B1 (en) 1999-05-14
CA2235054A1 (en) 1998-10-11

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