EP1972875A1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft - Google Patents
Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1972875A1 EP1972875A1 EP07300895A EP07300895A EP1972875A1 EP 1972875 A1 EP1972875 A1 EP 1972875A1 EP 07300895 A EP07300895 A EP 07300895A EP 07300895 A EP07300895 A EP 07300895A EP 1972875 A1 EP1972875 A1 EP 1972875A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- compressor
- column
- heat exchanger
- air
- pressure
- 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- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
- F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
- F25J3/0406—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
- F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
- F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
- F25J3/04066—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of oxygen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
- F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
- F25J3/04072—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of argon or argon enriched 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
- 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
- F25J3/04084—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 nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
- F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
- F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04006—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
- F25J3/04096—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 argon or argon enriched 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
- 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
- F25J3/04278—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using external refrigeration units, e.g. closed mechanical or regenerative refrigeration units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
- F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
- F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/04309—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
- F25J3/04369—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 argon or argon enriched 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
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
- F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
- F25J3/04393—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using multiple or multistage gas work expansion
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
- F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
- F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
- F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
- F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- 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
- F25J3/04721—Producing pure argon, e.g. recovered from a crude argon column
- F25J3/04727—Producing pure argon, e.g. recovered from a crude argon column using an auxiliary pure argon column for nitrogen rejection
-
- 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
- F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
- F25J3/04793—Rectification, e.g. columns; Reboiler-condenser
- F25J3/048—Argon recovery
-
- 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
- F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
- F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
- F25J3/04836—Variable air feed, i.e. "load" or product demand during specified periods, e.g. during periods with high respectively low power costs
-
- 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
- F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
- F25J2215/02—Mixing or blending of fluids to yield a certain product
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
- F25J2230/08—Cold compressor, i.e. suction of the gas at cryogenic temperature and generally without afterstage-cooler
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
- F25J2240/40—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval
- F25J2240/44—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval the fluid being nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2240/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for expanding of process streams
- F25J2240/40—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval
- F25J2240/46—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval the fluid being 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
- F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
- F25J2245/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being argon or crude argon
-
- 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
- F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
- F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
- F25J2250/42—One fluid being nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
- F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
- F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
- F25J2250/58—One fluid being argon or crude argon
-
- 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
- F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
- F25J2270/02—Internal refrigeration with liquid vaporising 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
- F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
- F25J2270/12—External refrigeration with liquid vaporising 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
- F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
- F25J2270/66—Closed external refrigeration cycle with multi component refrigerant [MCR], e.g. mixture of hydrocarbons
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation. It relates in particular to processes and apparatus for producing oxygen and/or nitrogen at elevated pressure.
- Gaseous oxygen produced by air separation plants are usually at elevated pressure about 20 to 50 bar.
- the basic distillation scheme is usually a double column process producing oxygen at the bottom of the low-pressure column operated at 1.4 to 4 bar.
- the oxygen must be compressed to higher pressure either by oxygen compressor or by the liquid pumping process. Because of the safety issues associated with the oxygen compressors, most recent oxygen plants are based on the liquid pumping process. In order to vaporize liquid oxygen at elevated pressure there is a need for an additional motor-driven booster compressor to raise a portion of the feed air or nitrogen to higher pressure in the range of 40-80 bars. In essence, the booster replaces the oxygen compressor.
- One of the goals in the development of new process cycles is to decrease the power consumption of an oxygen plant.
- FIG. 1 An illustration of this prior art is presented in Figure 1 .
- a double column 2 is used, comprising a high pressure column 8 and a low pressure column 9, thermally connected by a reboiler/condenser 10. All the feed air is compressed in compressor 6 to the pressure of the high pressure column 8, purified in purification unit 7 and divided into three.
- One stream 502 is sent to a booster compressor 503, cooled in a water cooler (not represented) and further cooled in the heat exchanger 5 and then expanded in a turbine 501, coupled to the booster compressor 503.
- the expanded air 502 is sent to the low pressure column.
- Another part of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 5 at substantially the same pressure as the high pressure column 8.
- the third stream is compressed in a compressor 230 and sent to the heat exchanger where it condenses.
- the liquefied air is divided between the high pressure column 8 and the low pressure column 9.
- An oxygen enriched liquid stream LR is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
- Nitrogen enriched liquid stream LP is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
- Pure liquid nitrogen NLMP is produced from high-pressure column, further cooled in heat exchanger 24 and expanded in valve 143 and sent to a storage 144.
- High-pressure gaseous nitrogen 39 is removed from the top of the high-pressure column and warmed in the heat exchanger to form a product stream 40.
- Liquid oxygen OL is removed from the bottom of the low pressure column 9, pressurized by a pump 37 and sent in part as stream 38 to the heat exchanger 5 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with the pressurized air to form gaseous pressurized oxygen.
- the rest of the liquid oxygen 52 is removed as a liquid product.
- a top nitrogen enriched gaseous stream NR is removed from the low-pressure column 9, warmed in the heat exchanger 5 as stream 33.
- Argon is produced using impure argon column 3 and pure argon 4.
- the impure argon column is fed by stream 16 from the low pressure column 9.
- a liquid stream 17 is sent from the base of the impure argon column 3 to the low pressure column 9. Rich liquid is sent to the top condenser 12 of the column 3 via valve 26 and is evaporated to form stream 27 which is returned to the low pressure column.
- a product stream 19 is sent to condenser 20 and thence forms stream 19.
- Stream 19 is condensed in heat exchanger 20 and divided into stream 48 which is sent to the waste stream 33 at intersection point 50 and a further stream. The further stream is sent via valve 21 to the column 4.
- the pure argon column 4 produces a product stream 45.
- the top condenser 13 of the pure argon column 4 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP from the high pressure column via valve 34 and the vaporized nitrogen is removed via valve 35 as stream 33 and cooled in subcooler 24.
- the bottom reboiler 14 of the pure argon column is heated using air and the liquefied air 23 is sent to the high pressure column.
- a purge stream 46 is also removed.
- the condenser 20 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP via valve 31 and the vaporized liquid is sent via valve 32 to the waste stream 33.
- a cold compression process as described in US-A-5,475,980 provides a technique to drive the oxygen plant with a single air compressor.
- air to be distilled is chilled in the main exchanger then further compressed by a booster compressor driven by an expander exhausting into the high-pressure column of a double column process.
- the discharge pressure of the air compressor is in the range of 15 bar which is also quite advantageous for the purification unit.
- One inconvenience of this approach is the increase of the size of the main exchanger due to additional flow recycling which is typical for the cold compression plant.
- US-A-5901576 describes several arrangements of cold compression schemes utilizing the expansion of vaporized rich liquid of the bottom of the high-pressure column, or the expansion of high-pressure nitrogen to drive the cold compressor. In some cases, motor driven cold compressors were also used. These processes also operate with feed air at about the high-pressure column's pressure and in most cases a booster compressor is also needed.
- US-A-6,626,008 describes a heat pump cycle utilizing a cold compressor to improve the distillation process for the production of low purity oxygen for a double vaporizer oxygen process. Low air pressure and a booster compressor are also typical for this kind of process.
- a process for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a column system comprising a high pressure column and a low pressure column comprising the steps of:
- the process comprises:
- the auxiliary fluid may be oxygen rich, nitrogen rich or argon rich.
- the argon rich auxiliary fluid may be derived from an argon purification column fed from the column system.
- an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a column system comprising a high pressure column and a low pressure column further comprising:
- a double column 2 comprising a high pressure column 8 and a low pressure column 9, thermally connected by a reboiler/condenser 10. All the feed air is compressed in compressor 6 to the pressure of the high pressure column 8, purified in purification unit 7 and divided into three.
- One stream 502 is sent to a booster compressor 503, cooled in a water cooler (not represented) and then further cooled in the heat exchanger 5 and then expanded in a turbine 501, coupled to the booster compressor 503.
- the expanded air 502 is sent to the low pressure column.
- Another part 507 of the air is sent to the heat exchanger 5 at substantially the same pressure as the high pressure column 8.
- the third stream 505 is compressed in a compressor 230 and sent to the heat exchanger where it condenses.
- the liquefied air is divided between the high pressure column 8 and the low pressure column 9.
- An oxygen enriched liquid stream LR is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
- Nitrogen enriched liquid stream LP is expanded and sent from the high-pressure column to the low-pressure column.
- Pure liquid nitrogen NLMP is produced from the high pressure column 8, further cooled in heat exchanger 24 and expanded in valve 143 and sent to storage 144.
- High-pressure gaseous nitrogen 39 is removed from the top of the high-pressure column and warmed in the heat exchanger to form a product stream 40.
- Liquid oxygen OL is removed from the bottom of the low pressure column 9, pressurized by a pump 37 and sent in part as stream 38 to the heat exchanger 5 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with the pressurized air to form gaseous pressurized oxygen.
- the rest of the liquid oxygen 52 is removed as a liquid product.
- a top nitrogen enriched gaseous stream NR is removed from the low-pressure column 9, warmed in the heat exchanger 5 as stream 33.
- Argon is produced using impure argon column 3 and pure argon 4.
- the impure argon column is fed by stream 16 from the low pressure column 9.
- a liquid stream 17 is sent from the base of the impure argon column 3 to the low pressure column 9. Rich liquid is sent to the top condenser 12 of the column 3 via valve 26 and is evaporated to form stream 27 which is returned to the low pressure column.
- a product stream 19 is sent to condenser 20 and thence forms stream 19.
- Stream 19 is condensed in heat exchanger 20 and divided into stream 48 which is sent to the waste stream 33 at intersection point 50 and a further stream. The further stream is sent via valve 21 to the column 4.
- the pure argon column 4 produces a product stream 45.
- the top condenser 13 of the pure argon column 4 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP from the high pressure column via valve 34 and the vaporized nitrogen is removed via valve 35 as stream 33 and cooled in subcooler 24.
- the bottom reboiler 14 of the pure argon column is heated using air and the liquefied air 23 is sent to the high pressure column.
- a purge stream 46 is also removed.
- Nitrogen rich liquid 43 is collected via valve 143 in storage 144.
- the condenser 20 is fed by nitrogen rich liquid LP via valve 31 and the vaporized liquid is sent via valve 32 to the waste stream 33.
- An auxiliary fluid mixture of argon (80%) and oxygen (20%) is introduced in heat exchanger 5 where it is vaporized and slightly warmed after vaporization to yield a cold auxiliary gaseous stream 107 .
- the proportions of argon and oxygen are variable and the mixture may also include other components.
- This vaporization occurs in heat exchanger 5 at a temperature around -143°C, as can be seen in Figure 4 , which is lower than the oxygen vaporization temperature of around - 126°C.
- At least a portion of this cold auxiliary stream 107 is sent to a cold brake compressor 108 at subambient temperature T1 to be compressed to raise its pressure (stream 109).
- Temperature T1 is preferably above and most preferably slightly above the oxygen vaporization temperature which is in this case around - 126°C.
- Stream 109 is then sent back to the exchanger 5 at temperature T2 which is greater than T1 and cooled in exchanger 5 to condense to form a liquefied auxiliary stream (stream 10), which is expanded in a valve 116 to form stream 107.
- This condensation occurs at a temperature slightly above the oxygen vaporization temperature. In this case, this condensation is at a temperature around -124°C.
- a phase separator could be added if the expanded stream is a two-phase fluid, the liquid phase being introduced in heat exchanger 5 and the vapor phase mixed with stream 107.
- condensing covers condensation from a vapor to a liquid or partially liquid state. It also covers the pseudo-condensation of a supercritical fluid when cooled from a temperature above the supercritical temperature to a temperature below the supercritical temperature.
- Figure 4 shows the exchange diagram corresponding to the process of Figure 3 .
- FIG. 5 A variant of this process is shown in Figure 5 : part of the air from compressor 230 is removed at an intermediate temperature from the exchanger 5 and sent to expander 121.
- the expanded air stream is at the pressure of the high pressure column 8 and is sent thereto mixed with air stream 507.
- the expander 121 is coupled to a cold compressor 108.
- the cold compressor 108 is fed by a vaporized liquid argon stream.
- the liquid argon 105 is derived from the production of column 4 and is vaporized in exchanger 5 to form stream 107.
- the compressed stream 109 is sent to the exchanger 5 and may be either cooled to be recycled in the cold compressor cycle or warmed and removed as a product or waste stream 120.
- an argon stream 119 may be removed as part of the vaporized stream 105 which is not sent to the cold compressor 108. If it were chosen to use a mixture of oxygen and argon as auxiliary stream, fluid 105 could be extracted from column 3. In case of a mixture of nitrogen and argon, fluid 105 could be extracted from an intermediate location of column 4.
- FIG. 6 A variant of Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6 where the air turbine 121 is replaced by a high pressure nitrogen turbine 121 fed by part of the stream 39 of high pressure nitrogen removed from the top of column 8. Another variant of this process (not illustrated) is to replace the air turbine 121 by a low pressure air turbine expanding part of the air delivered by compressor 6 to the low pressure column.
- the cold compressor 108 is fed by vaporized liquid oxygen.
- the liquid oxygen is pumped in pump 37 to form a liquid product 52 and a liquid stream 38 sent to the exchanger 5 wherein it vaporizes.
- a further part of the liquid oxygen is expanded in valve 116 and sent to the exchanger 5 to form vaporized stream 107.
- Stream 107 is compressed in compressor 108 and sent as stream 109 to mix with vaporized stream 38.
- the process may be modified to vaporize pumped liquid nitrogen as an additional stream or as a stream replacing the pumped oxygen stream.
- part of the pumped nitrogen stream could be expanded in the valve and compressed in the cold compressor 108 before being mixed with the principal vaporized nitrogen stream.
- some of the low pressure nitrogen may be expanded in an expander 18.
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)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07300895A EP1972875A1 (de) | 2007-03-23 | 2007-03-23 | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft |
PCT/EP2008/052571 WO2008116727A2 (en) | 2007-03-23 | 2008-03-03 | Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP07300895A EP1972875A1 (de) | 2007-03-23 | 2007-03-23 | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1972875A1 true EP1972875A1 (de) | 2008-09-24 |
Family
ID=38577449
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07300895A Withdrawn EP1972875A1 (de) | 2007-03-23 | 2007-03-23 | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1972875A1 (de) |
WO (1) | WO2008116727A2 (de) |
Cited By (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011018207A2 (de) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-17 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur erzeugung eines gasförmigen sauerstoff-druckprodukts durch tieftemperaturzerlegung von luft |
FR3010511A1 (fr) * | 2013-09-10 | 2015-03-13 | Air Liquide | Procede et appareil de separation d'un melange gazeux a temperature subambiante |
CN105823302A (zh) * | 2016-05-18 | 2016-08-03 | 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 | 一种能实现氧气内外压缩流程互换的空气分离装置及方法 |
TWI603044B (zh) * | 2015-07-10 | 2017-10-21 | 艾克頌美孚上游研究公司 | 使用液化天然氣製造液化氮氣之系統與方法 |
US10480854B2 (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2019-11-19 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Liquefied natural gas production system and method with greenhouse gas removal |
US10488105B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2019-11-26 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and system for separating nitrogen from liquefied natural gas using liquefied nitrogen |
US10551117B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-02-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method of natural gas liquefaction on LNG carriers storing liquid nitrogen |
US10663115B2 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2020-05-26 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method of purging a dual purpose LNG/LIN storage tank |
US11060791B2 (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2021-07-13 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Increasing efficiency in an LNG production system by pre-cooling a natural gas feed stream |
US11083994B2 (en) | 2019-09-20 | 2021-08-10 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Removal of acid gases from a gas stream, with O2 enrichment for acid gas capture and sequestration |
US11215410B2 (en) | 2018-11-20 | 2022-01-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods and apparatus for improving multi-plate scraped heat exchangers |
US11326834B2 (en) | 2018-08-14 | 2022-05-10 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Conserving mixed refrigerant in natural gas liquefaction facilities |
US11415348B2 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2022-08-16 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods for removal of moisture from LNG refrigerant |
US11465093B2 (en) | 2019-08-19 | 2022-10-11 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Compliant composite heat exchangers |
US11506454B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2022-11-22 | Exxonmobile Upstream Research Company | Heat exchanger configuration for a high pressure expander process and a method of natural gas liquefaction using the same |
US11536510B2 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2022-12-27 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11555651B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2023-01-17 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Managing make-up gas composition variation for a high pressure expander process |
US11578545B2 (en) | 2018-11-20 | 2023-02-14 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Poly refrigerated integrated cycle operation using solid-tolerant heat exchangers |
US11635252B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2023-04-25 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Primary loop start-up method for a high pressure expander process |
US11668524B2 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2023-06-06 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods for removal of moisture from LNG refrigerant |
US11806639B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2023-11-07 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11808411B2 (en) | 2019-09-24 | 2023-11-07 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Cargo stripping features for dual-purpose cryogenic tanks on ships or floating storage units for LNG and liquid nitrogen |
US11815308B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2023-11-14 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11927391B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2024-03-12 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Liquefaction of production gas |
US12050056B2 (en) | 2022-12-15 | 2024-07-30 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Managing make-up gas composition variation for a high pressure expander process |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5228297A (en) * | 1992-04-22 | 1993-07-20 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Cryogenic rectification system with dual heat pump |
US5596885A (en) * | 1994-06-20 | 1997-01-28 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen under pressure |
US5901577A (en) * | 1997-04-03 | 1999-05-11 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Process and plant for air separation by cryogenic distillation |
US6009723A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 2000-01-04 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Elevated pressure air separation process with use of waste expansion for compression of a process stream |
US6112550A (en) * | 1998-12-30 | 2000-09-05 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Cryogenic rectification system and hybrid refrigeration generation |
US6336345B1 (en) * | 1999-07-05 | 2002-01-08 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Process and apparatus for low temperature fractionation of air |
EP1767884A1 (de) * | 2005-09-23 | 2007-03-28 | L'Air Liquide Société Anon. à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft |
-
2007
- 2007-03-23 EP EP07300895A patent/EP1972875A1/de not_active Withdrawn
-
2008
- 2008-03-03 WO PCT/EP2008/052571 patent/WO2008116727A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5228297A (en) * | 1992-04-22 | 1993-07-20 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Cryogenic rectification system with dual heat pump |
US5596885A (en) * | 1994-06-20 | 1997-01-28 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen under pressure |
US5901577A (en) * | 1997-04-03 | 1999-05-11 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Process and plant for air separation by cryogenic distillation |
US6009723A (en) * | 1998-01-22 | 2000-01-04 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Elevated pressure air separation process with use of waste expansion for compression of a process stream |
US6112550A (en) * | 1998-12-30 | 2000-09-05 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Cryogenic rectification system and hybrid refrigeration generation |
US6336345B1 (en) * | 1999-07-05 | 2002-01-08 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Process and apparatus for low temperature fractionation of air |
EP1767884A1 (de) * | 2005-09-23 | 2007-03-28 | L'Air Liquide Société Anon. à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft |
Cited By (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011018207A3 (de) * | 2009-08-11 | 2014-03-13 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur erzeugung eines gasförmigen sauerstoff-druckprodukts durch tieftemperaturzerlegung von luft |
WO2011018207A2 (de) * | 2009-08-11 | 2011-02-17 | Linde Aktiengesellschaft | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur erzeugung eines gasförmigen sauerstoff-druckprodukts durch tieftemperaturzerlegung von luft |
FR3010511A1 (fr) * | 2013-09-10 | 2015-03-13 | Air Liquide | Procede et appareil de separation d'un melange gazeux a temperature subambiante |
WO2015036673A3 (fr) * | 2013-09-10 | 2015-08-06 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude | Procédé et appareil de séparation d'un mélange gazeux à température subambiante |
US20160223254A1 (en) * | 2013-09-10 | 2016-08-04 | L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes George Claude | Method and apparatus for separation of a gaseous mixture at sub-ambient temperature |
US10578354B2 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2020-03-03 | Exxonmobil Upstream Reseach Company | Systems and methods for the production of liquefied nitrogen using liquefied natural gas |
TWI603044B (zh) * | 2015-07-10 | 2017-10-21 | 艾克頌美孚上游研究公司 | 使用液化天然氣製造液化氮氣之系統與方法 |
JP2018529072A (ja) * | 2015-07-10 | 2018-10-04 | エクソンモービル アップストリーム リサーチ カンパニー | 液化天然ガスを使用する液化窒素ガスの生産のためのシステム及び方法 |
US11060791B2 (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2021-07-13 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Increasing efficiency in an LNG production system by pre-cooling a natural gas feed stream |
US10480854B2 (en) | 2015-07-15 | 2019-11-19 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Liquefied natural gas production system and method with greenhouse gas removal |
US10488105B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2019-11-26 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and system for separating nitrogen from liquefied natural gas using liquefied nitrogen |
US10551117B2 (en) | 2015-12-14 | 2020-02-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method of natural gas liquefaction on LNG carriers storing liquid nitrogen |
CN105823302B (zh) * | 2016-05-18 | 2018-12-28 | 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 | 一种能实现氧气内外压缩流程互换的空气分离装置及方法 |
CN105823302A (zh) * | 2016-05-18 | 2016-08-03 | 杭州杭氧股份有限公司 | 一种能实现氧气内外压缩流程互换的空气分离装置及方法 |
US10663115B2 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2020-05-26 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method of purging a dual purpose LNG/LIN storage tank |
US10989358B2 (en) | 2017-02-24 | 2021-04-27 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method of purging a dual purpose LNG/LIN storage tank |
US11536510B2 (en) | 2018-06-07 | 2022-12-27 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11326834B2 (en) | 2018-08-14 | 2022-05-10 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Conserving mixed refrigerant in natural gas liquefaction facilities |
US11506454B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2022-11-22 | Exxonmobile Upstream Research Company | Heat exchanger configuration for a high pressure expander process and a method of natural gas liquefaction using the same |
US11635252B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2023-04-25 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Primary loop start-up method for a high pressure expander process |
US11555651B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2023-01-17 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Managing make-up gas composition variation for a high pressure expander process |
US11578545B2 (en) | 2018-11-20 | 2023-02-14 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Poly refrigerated integrated cycle operation using solid-tolerant heat exchangers |
US11215410B2 (en) | 2018-11-20 | 2022-01-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods and apparatus for improving multi-plate scraped heat exchangers |
US11415348B2 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2022-08-16 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods for removal of moisture from LNG refrigerant |
US11668524B2 (en) | 2019-01-30 | 2023-06-06 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Methods for removal of moisture from LNG refrigerant |
US11465093B2 (en) | 2019-08-19 | 2022-10-11 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Compliant composite heat exchangers |
US11927391B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2024-03-12 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Liquefaction of production gas |
US11806639B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2023-11-07 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11815308B2 (en) | 2019-09-19 | 2023-11-14 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Pretreatment and pre-cooling of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US11083994B2 (en) | 2019-09-20 | 2021-08-10 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Removal of acid gases from a gas stream, with O2 enrichment for acid gas capture and sequestration |
US11808411B2 (en) | 2019-09-24 | 2023-11-07 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Cargo stripping features for dual-purpose cryogenic tanks on ships or floating storage units for LNG and liquid nitrogen |
US12050054B2 (en) | 2020-04-17 | 2024-07-30 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Pretreatment, pre-cooling, and condensate recovery of natural gas by high pressure compression and expansion |
US12050056B2 (en) | 2022-12-15 | 2024-07-30 | ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company | Managing make-up gas composition variation for a high pressure expander process |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008116727A2 (en) | 2008-10-02 |
WO2008116727A3 (en) | 2009-06-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1972875A1 (de) | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft | |
US6962062B2 (en) | Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation | |
US9733013B2 (en) | Low temperature air separation process for producing pressurized gaseous product | |
JP2909678B2 (ja) | 圧力下のガス状酸素の製造方法及び製造装置 | |
EP1767884A1 (de) | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Tieftemperaturzerlegung von Luft | |
JP2865274B2 (ja) | 酸素と窒素を気体及び/又は液体製品として同時に製造するための空気の低温蒸留法 | |
JP4728219B2 (ja) | 空気の低温蒸留により加圧空気ガスを製造するための方法及びシステム | |
EP2122283A2 (de) | Luftzerlegungsverfahren | |
US20160025408A1 (en) | Air separation method and apparatus | |
EP2597409B1 (de) | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Luftzerlegung durch Tieftemperaturdestillation | |
CN110678710B (zh) | 用于通过低温蒸馏分离空气的方法和设备 | |
JPH11351738A (ja) | 高純度酸素製造方法及び装置 | |
EP2634517B1 (de) | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Trennung von Luft durch kryogenische Destillation | |
JPH10227560A (ja) | 空気分離方法 | |
NO174684B (no) | Fremgangsmaate ved fremstilling av nitrogen ved destillasjon av luft | |
US6257020B1 (en) | Process for the cryogenic separation of gases from air | |
EP1470377A1 (de) | Integriertes verfahren und anlage zur zerlegung von luft, die von verschiedenen verdichtern komprimiert wird | |
JP2000356464A (ja) | 空気分離用低温蒸着システム | |
JP2000356465A (ja) | 空気分離用低温蒸留システム | |
JP2000346546A (ja) | 空気分離用低温蒸留システム | |
EP4215856A1 (de) | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur luftzerlegung durch kryogene destillation | |
US20240183610A1 (en) | Method and plant for low temperature fractionation of air |
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: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK RS |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8566 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20090325 |