EP1134524A3 - Process for producing gaseous nitrogen - Google Patents

Process for producing gaseous nitrogen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1134524A3
EP1134524A3 EP01105925A EP01105925A EP1134524A3 EP 1134524 A3 EP1134524 A3 EP 1134524A3 EP 01105925 A EP01105925 A EP 01105925A EP 01105925 A EP01105925 A EP 01105925A EP 1134524 A3 EP1134524 A3 EP 1134524A3
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
nitrogen
evaporator
condenser
oxygen
distillation column
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP01105925A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1134524B1 (en
EP1134524A2 (en
Inventor
Dietrich Dipl.-Ing. Rottmann
Christian Dipl.-Ing. Kunz
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.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
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 Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of EP1134524A2 publication Critical patent/EP1134524A2/en
Publication of EP1134524A3 publication Critical patent/EP1134524A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1134524B1 publication Critical patent/EP1134524B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25JLIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02Processes 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
    • F25J3/04Processes 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
    • F25J3/044Processes 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 single pressure main column system only
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25JLIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02Processes 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
    • F25J3/04Processes 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
    • F25J3/04248Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284Generation 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
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25JLIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02Processes 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
    • F25J3/04Processes 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
    • F25J3/04248Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284Generation 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
    • F25J3/04321Generation 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 oxygen
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25JLIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02Processes 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
    • F25J3/04Processes 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
    • F25J3/04248Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04333Generation 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
    • F25J3/04351Generation 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
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25JLIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2215/00Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/50Oxygen or special cases, e.g. isotope-mixtures or low purity O2

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)

Abstract

Das Verfahren und die Vorrichtung dienen der Gewinnung von gasförmigem Stickstoff durch Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft. Das Destilliersäulensystem weist eine Einzelsäule (4) auf. Einsatzluft (1) wird in einem Luftverdichter verdichtet, in einem Hauptwärmetauscher (2) abgekühlt und der Einzelsäule (4) zugeführt (3). Eine stickstoffreiche Fraktion (5, 7, 8) wird aus dem Destilliersäulensystem abgezogen und mindestens zu einem erstem Teil in einem Kreislaufverdichter (9, 1063) verdichtet. Der erste Teil (12, 13) der stickstoffreichen Fraktion (5, 7, 8) wird stromabwärts des Kreislaufverdichters (9) dem Verflüssigungsraum eines Kondensator-Verdampfers (14) zugeführt und dort unter einem Druck kondensiert, der höher als der Betriebsdruck der Einzelsäule (4) ist. Hierbei wird stickstoffreiche Flüssigkeit (15, 16) gebildet. Eine flüssige sauerstoffangereicherte Fraktion (231) aus dem Destilliersäulensystem wird im Verdampfungsraum des Kondensator-Verdampfers (14) mindestens teilweise verdampft. Aus dem im Verdampfungsraum des Kondensator-Verdampfers (14) gebildeten Dampf (232) wird ein erstes sauerstoffangereichertes Gas (234, 533) erzeugt, in die Einzelsäule (4) eingeleitet und dort als aufsteigender Dampf verwendet. Ein zweiter Teil (19, 20, 1064) der stickstoffreichen Fraktion (5, 7, 8) wird zumindest zeitweise als gasförmiges Stickstoffprodukt abgezogen. Ein zweites sauerstoffangereichertes Gas (221, 521) wird aus dem Verdampfungsraum des Kondensator-Verdampfers (14) entnommen, arbeitsleistend entspannt (23) und im Hauptwärmetauscher (2) angewärmt.

Figure 00000001
The method and the device serve to obtain gaseous nitrogen by low-temperature separation of air. The distillation column system has a single column (4). Feed air (1) is compressed in an air compressor, cooled in a main heat exchanger (2) and fed to the individual column (4) (3). A nitrogen-rich fraction (5, 7, 8) is drawn off from the distillation column system and at least a first part is compressed in a circuit compressor (9, 1063). The first part (12, 13) of the nitrogen-rich fraction (5, 7, 8) is fed downstream of the circuit compressor (9) to the liquefaction chamber of a condenser-evaporator (14) and condensed there under a pressure which is higher than the operating pressure of the individual column ( 4) is. This forms nitrogen-rich liquid (15, 16). A liquid oxygen-enriched fraction (231) from the distillation column system is at least partially evaporated in the evaporation space of the condenser-evaporator (14). A first oxygen-enriched gas (234, 533) is generated from the vapor (232) formed in the vaporization chamber of the condenser-evaporator (14), introduced into the individual column (4) and used there as rising vapor. A second part (19, 20, 1064) of the nitrogen-rich fraction (5, 7, 8) is withdrawn at least temporarily as a gaseous nitrogen product. A second oxygen-enriched gas (221, 521) is removed from the evaporation space of the condenser-evaporator (14), expanded to perform work (23) and heated in the main heat exchanger (2).
Figure 00000001

EP01105925A 2000-03-17 2001-03-09 Process for producing gaseous nitrogen Expired - Lifetime EP1134524B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10013074 2000-03-17
DE10013074A DE10013074A1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Process for recovering gaseous nitrogen by the decomposition of air in a distillation column system comprises removing an oxygen-enriched gas from a condenser-vaporizer, relieving the pressure and heating in a heat exchanger

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1134524A2 EP1134524A2 (en) 2001-09-19
EP1134524A3 true EP1134524A3 (en) 2002-01-09
EP1134524B1 EP1134524B1 (en) 2005-10-05

Family

ID=7635135

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01105925A Expired - Lifetime EP1134524B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2001-03-09 Process for producing gaseous nitrogen

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US6470707B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1134524B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE306062T1 (en)
DE (2) DE10013074A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10157544A1 (en) * 2001-11-23 2003-06-12 Messer Ags Gmbh Method and device for producing nitrogen from air
US7864163B2 (en) 2006-09-06 2011-01-04 Apple Inc. Portable electronic device, method, and graphical user interface for displaying structured electronic documents
DE102007024168A1 (en) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-27 Linde Ag Method and apparatus for cryogenic air separation
DE102007051183A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method for cryogenic air separation
DE102007051184A1 (en) * 2007-10-25 2009-04-30 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for cryogenic air separation
EP2236964B1 (en) * 2009-03-24 2019-11-20 Linde AG Method and device for low-temperature air separation

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1392294A (en) * 1971-06-28 1975-04-30 British Oxygen Co Ltd Air separation
US4400188A (en) * 1981-10-27 1983-08-23 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Nitrogen generator cycle
DE19623310A1 (en) * 1995-11-21 1996-11-07 Linde Ag Low pressure single column air sepn. plant
EP0816784A1 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 Crio & Eng S.r.l. Apparatus for fractionating air, or a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, for the simultaneous production of nitrogen and oxygen or for the production of nitrogen
FR2767317A1 (en) * 1997-08-14 1999-02-19 Air Liquide PROCESS FOR CONVERTING A FLOW CONTAINING HYDROCARBONS BY PARTIAL OXIDATION
DE10013073A1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2000-10-19 Linde Ag Low temperature separation of air in distillation column system uses integrated heat exchanger system for cooling e.g. air supply by indirect heat exchange during vaporization of first liquid fraction

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19543395A1 (en) * 1995-11-21 1997-05-22 Linde Ag Double column process and device for the low temperature separation of air
GB9806293D0 (en) * 1998-03-24 1998-05-20 Boc Group Plc Separation of air

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1392294A (en) * 1971-06-28 1975-04-30 British Oxygen Co Ltd Air separation
US4400188A (en) * 1981-10-27 1983-08-23 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Nitrogen generator cycle
DE19623310A1 (en) * 1995-11-21 1996-11-07 Linde Ag Low pressure single column air sepn. plant
EP0816784A1 (en) * 1996-06-26 1998-01-07 Crio & Eng S.r.l. Apparatus for fractionating air, or a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, for the simultaneous production of nitrogen and oxygen or for the production of nitrogen
FR2767317A1 (en) * 1997-08-14 1999-02-19 Air Liquide PROCESS FOR CONVERTING A FLOW CONTAINING HYDROCARBONS BY PARTIAL OXIDATION
DE10013073A1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2000-10-19 Linde Ag Low temperature separation of air in distillation column system uses integrated heat exchanger system for cooling e.g. air supply by indirect heat exchange during vaporization of first liquid fraction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1134524B1 (en) 2005-10-05
EP1134524A2 (en) 2001-09-19
US6470707B2 (en) 2002-10-29
ATE306062T1 (en) 2005-10-15
US20010052242A1 (en) 2001-12-20
DE10013074A1 (en) 2001-09-20
DE50107586D1 (en) 2005-11-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0384483B1 (en) Air rectification process and apparatus
DE19529681C2 (en) Method and device for air separation by low-temperature rectification
EP0955509B1 (en) Process and apparatus to produce high purity nitrogen
DE69103347T2 (en) Low-temperature air separation with secondary evaporator for both products.
EP1308680B1 (en) Process and system for production of krypton and/or xenon by cryogenic air separation
EP1243882B1 (en) Production of argon using a triple pressure air separation system with an argon column
DE69208418T2 (en) Process and plant for the mixed production of high and low purity oxygen
EP2015012A2 (en) Process for the cryogenic separation of air
ATE481607T1 (en) METHOD FOR OBTAINING GASEOUS AND LIQUID NITROGEN WITH VARIABLE PROPORTION OF THE LIQUID PRODUCT
EP2015013A2 (en) Process and device for producing a gaseous pressurised product by cryogenic separation of air
DE69302064T3 (en) Distillation process for the production of carbon monoxide-free nitrogen
JPH0571870A (en) Method and device for manufacturing high pressure nitrogen
DE69015504T2 (en) Nitrogen gas production process.
DE69614950T2 (en) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRODUCING HIGH PURITY NITROGEN
EP3290843A2 (en) Method and device for extracting pressurised nitrogen and pressurised nitrogen by cryogenic decomposition of air
AU2014234685B2 (en) Method and device for generating gaseous compressed nitrogen.
EP1167294A3 (en) Cryogenic H2 and carbon monoxide production with an impure carbon monoxide expander
DE10213212A1 (en) Air fractionation plant in which product stream is split, carries out all compression stages in common dual flow pump
EP1134524A3 (en) Process for producing gaseous nitrogen
KR100660243B1 (en) Process and apparatus for producing pressurized oxygen and krypton/xenon by low-temperature fractionation of air
KR20010049392A (en) Cryogenic distillation system for air separation
JP2865281B2 (en) Low temperature distillation method of air raw material
DE69004647T2 (en) Method and device for the low-temperature separation of air.
JP2000346546A (en) Low-temperature distilling system for separating air
EP3343159A1 (en) Method and device for creating gaseous oxygen and gaseous pressurised nitrogen

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20020524

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20040217

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20051005

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051005

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051005

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051005

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 50107586

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20051110

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060105

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060105

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060105

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060116

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20060112

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060306

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20060706

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: LINDE A.G.

Effective date: 20060331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051005

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CA

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20051005

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20110302

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20120319

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20120307

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 50107586

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20121002

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20130309

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20131129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130402

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20130309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20121002