EP2986924B1 - Dispositif pouvant être rééquipé, destiné à la décomposition à basse température de l'air, installation pouvant être rééquipée et procédé de rééquipement d'une installation de décomposition de l'air à basse température - Google Patents

Dispositif pouvant être rééquipé, destiné à la décomposition à basse température de l'air, installation pouvant être rééquipée et procédé de rééquipement d'une installation de décomposition de l'air à basse température Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2986924B1
EP2986924B1 EP14715547.7A EP14715547A EP2986924B1 EP 2986924 B1 EP2986924 B1 EP 2986924B1 EP 14715547 A EP14715547 A EP 14715547A EP 2986924 B1 EP2986924 B1 EP 2986924B1
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Prior art keywords
column
crude argon
line
preparatory
retrofitting
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EP14715547.7A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2986924A1 (fr
Inventor
Tobias Lautenschlager
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Priority to PL14715547T priority patent/PL2986924T3/pl
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—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
    • F25J3/04006—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
    • F25J3/04406—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
    • F25J3/0469—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 and an intermediate re-boiler/condenser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04703—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser being arranged in more than one vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—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
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
    • F25J3/04878—Side by side arrangement of multiple vessels in a main column system, wherein the vessels are normally mounted one upon the other or forming different sections of the same column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04969—Retrofitting or revamping of an existing air fractionation unit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Gas inlet and liquid return form the so-called argon transition. They may be formed as separate lines or as a common line. In the second case, the corresponding line must have a relatively large cross section, so that the gas flow and the liquid flow in the opposite direction do not interfere and thus the functions of gas supply and return of liquid can be fulfilled together.
  • a "cold box” is here understood to mean an insulating casing which comprises a heat-insulated interior completely with outer walls; in the interior are arranged to be isolated plant parts, for example, one or more separation columns and / or heat exchangers.
  • the insulating effect can be effected by appropriate design of the outer walls and / or by the filling of the gap between system parts and outer walls with an insulating material. In the latter variant, a powdery material such as perlite is preferably used.
  • Both the distillation column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation of a cryogenic air separation plant and the main heat exchanger and other cold plant parts must be enclosed by one or more cold boxes.
  • the outer dimensions of the coldbox usually determine the transport dimensions of the package in prefabricated systems.
  • the distillation column system can be designed as a two-column system (for example as a classical Linde double column system) or as a three-column or multi-column system for nitrogen-oxygen separation.
  • first crude argon column As for example in EP 540900 A1 , which discloses a device for cryogenic separation of air according to the preamble of claim 1, is described.
  • This dummy argon column is approx.
  • the invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device that can be retrofitted without much conversion with an argon, and a corresponding method for retrofitting and a retrofit system that requires a relatively small amount of equipment.
  • the basic invention is to equip the device so that they can be retrofitted without opening the coldbox (s) with a full argon production (or at least with a full crude argon column) and thereby the existing first crude argon column can be reused by later a first part the argon-oxygen separation is carried out in the first crude argon column and (only) the remainder of the argon-oxygen separation in the second crude argon column to be upgraded.
  • the corresponding "precaution lines” are provided, led through the outer wall of the cold box and there provided in particular with connection devices such as flanges.
  • the "precaution lines” remain in normal operation of the (not) retrofitted device out of service and have in this case appropriate shut-off devices that are suitable to be opened during retrofitting.
  • the connecting lines are connected so that it is possible after the retrofitting, the first and second crude argon column operated as a series distillation sections, ie as two sections of a single distillation column, which are arranged one above the other or with each other.
  • a first column is in this procedural sense "under” a second column, when in operation of the plant, the head vapor of the first column is introduced into the sump region of the second column and, conversely, the sump liquid of the second column flows to the head of the first column.
  • a first column is located in the procedural sense "over” a second column, when the head vapor of the second column is introduced into the bottom region of the first column and the bottom liquid of the first column flows to the head of the second column during operation of the plant.
  • the first variant of the invention is described in claim 2. It has the advantage that it works with a relatively small number of precautionary lines.
  • the first crude argon top condenser is shut down in this variant of retrofitting usually, but is replaced by a retrofitted second crude argon top condenser at the top of the retrofitted second Rohargonklale.
  • the first crude argon top condenser can continue to be operated after retrofitting, so to speak as an intermediate evaporator.
  • a further supply line for the introduction of (in the second raw argon overhead condenser) vaporized cooling fluid is provided in a central region of the low pressure column.
  • further supply lines for the introduction (in the second crude argon overhead condenser) of non-evaporated cooling fluid into a middle region of the low-pressure column and / or for the introduction of residual gas from a pure argon column may be provided in a middle region of the low-pressure column.
  • Claim 4 describes the second variant of the invention.
  • the continued operation of the first crude argon top condenser after retrofitting is made possible.
  • the return for the first and the second crude argon column after retrofitting is generated exclusively or at least in large part by the first crude argon top condenser, which in principle continues to operate in the same way as before retrofitting.
  • an argon end product can also be obtained directly from the second crude argon column if the second crude argon column contains a corresponding number of theoretical plates and the final argon final product has some theoretical or practical trays below the head (or top condenser).
  • the second crude argon column is arranged as shown in FIG US 5235816 is described for a one-piece crude argon column; in the second variant, these features are realized according to the first crude argon column.
  • the invention also relates to a retrofit system according to claims 6 to 9 for retrofitting a device of the type described above (main plant).
  • Their connecting lines are preferably arranged so that they end at the level of the connections of the Vorsorgetechnisch.
  • the coldbox of the retrofit system must be placed only next to the coldbox (s) of the main system and the corresponding connections are connected to each other directly or via short pipes.
  • the invention relates to a method according to claim 10 for retrofitting a cryogenic air separation plant with an argon production.
  • the retrofit system described above and the method for retrofitting can also be used if the main system is not or not completely designed for retrofitting. In this case, of course, the main system must be internally adapted.
  • the retrofit system can still be delivered completely pre-assembled in a coldbox, if their size allows it.
  • a cryogenic air separation plant without argon production whose distillation column system is accommodated in a single cold box 1 in the example.
  • the columns and condensers of the distillation column system may also be arranged in two or more separate cold boxes.
  • the main heat exchanger is used for cooling of feed air in indirect Heat exchange with recycle streams from the distillation column system. It may be formed from a single or multiple parallel and / or serially connected heat exchanger sections, for example one or more plate heat exchanger blocks.
  • the main heat exchanger can be housed in the same cold box 1 with the distillation column system or in a separate coldbox.
  • a first, gaseous feed air stream 2 is introduced into the sump area of a high-pressure column 3.
  • This is part of the distillation column system, which also has a low pressure column 4, a main condenser 5, a first crude argon column 6 and a first crude argon top condenser 7.
  • the main condenser is designed as a condenser-evaporator, in particular as a multi-storey bath evaporator (cascade evaporator). Alternatively, a single-level bath evaporator or a falling film evaporator could be used.
  • crude argon top condenser 7 here single-storey bath evaporator is used, which also forms a condenser-evaporator with evaporation space and liquefaction space.
  • a second. predominantly liquid feed air stream 8 is fed to the high-pressure column 3 at an intermediate point. At least a portion of the liquid air is withdrawn via line 9 again, cooled in a supercooling countercurrent 10 and fed via line 11 of the low-pressure column 4 at an intermediate point.
  • the bottom liquid 12 of the high-pressure column is also cooled in the subcooling countercurrent 10 and fed via the lines 13 and 14 to the evaporation space of the first crude argon top condenser.
  • the line 14 represents a "coolant line for introducing a cooling fluid into the evaporation space of the first crude argon top condenser".
  • an impure liquid nitrogen stream is withdrawn from another intermediate point of the high-pressure column 3, undercooled (10) and fed via line 16 to the top of the low-pressure column 4.
  • a first part 17 of the gaseous top nitrogen of the high-pressure column 3 is introduced into the liquefaction space of the main condenser 5.
  • main capacitor generated liquid nitrogen 18 is fed to a first part 19 as reflux to the top of the high pressure column.
  • a second part 20 can be obtained after supercooling 10 via line 21 as a liquid product.
  • a second part 22 of the gaseous top nitrogen of the high-pressure column 3 can be led directly to the main heat exchanger and then recovered as a gaseous pressure product.
  • liquid oxygen 23 is withdrawn and transported by a pump 24 to a first part 25 in the evaporation space of the main capacitor 5.
  • Gaseous oxygen 26 produced in the main condenser, like a flushing liquid 27, is returned to the bottom of the low-pressure column.
  • gaseous impure nitrogen 28 is withdrawn, warmed in the subcooling countercurrent and fed via line 29 to the main heat exchanger.
  • An intermediate point of the low-pressure column communicates via a gas feed line 30 and a liquid return line 31 with the bottom region of the first crude argon column 6.
  • Top gas 32 of the first crude argon column 6 is largely liquefied in the first crude argon top condenser.
  • the liquefied portion flows via line 33 back to the top of the first crude argon column 6 and is used there as a liquid reflux.
  • the gaseous remaining portion 34 is withdrawn from a first Rohargon line 34 and warmed in the main heat exchanger, either in their own passages or together with the impure nitrogen 29th
  • the embodiment within the coldbox 1 corresponds to a conventional air separation plant without argon recovery, but with discharge of argon.
  • supply lines pass through the outer wall of the first cold box 1 and each have a flange for connection to a pipeline. Before retrofitting, the supply lines are not in operation, but closed off.
  • a retrofit system is added as part of the method according to the invention for retrofitting, which has a second coldbox 40 in which a second crude argon column 41 has suitable connection lines.
  • the retrofit system also has a second crude argon overhead condenser 42 and a pure argon column 43 with pure argon overhead condenser 44 and bottom evaporator 46.
  • the connection lines 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206 are fluidly connected to the corresponding supply lines 101 to 106.
  • the lines 14 and 34 are shut off and put out of service.
  • the retrofitted plant works like a conventional air separation plant with argon production in a split crude argon column.
  • the divided crude argon column consists of a "lower portion” formed by the first crude argon column 6 and an "upper portion” with top condenser 42 formed by the second crude argon column 42.
  • the first raw argon top condenser is no longer operated; but his evaporation chamber should either be completely emptied or constantly flushed with a small stream.
  • the top gas of the first crude argon column 6 is passed via the lines 101 and 201 into the bottom region of the second crude argon column 41; in the opposite direction, the bottoms liquid of the second crude argon column 41 flows via a pump 45 and the lines 202 and 102 back to the top of the first crude argon column 6.
  • the supercooled bottoms liquid 13 from the high-pressure column 4 no longer flows to the first crude argon top condenser 7, but via the lines 103 and 203 in the retrofit system.
  • the further supercooled stream is split into two substreams 47 and 48, which are fed to the evaporation chambers of the two condenser-evaporators 42 and 44.
  • the vaporized portion 49/50 is fed from there via the lines 204 and 104, the remaining liquid fraction via the lines 205 and 105 and 206 and 106 in the low-pressure column 4.
  • a portion 51 of the bottom liquid of the pure argon column 43 is withdrawn as liquid argon product.
  • non-liquefied residual gas 52 is discharged into the atmosphere (ATM).
  • FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the second variant of the invention. In the following, only the differences become FIG. 1 described. Otherwise that applies too FIG. 1 Same said.
  • the retrofit system in the coldbox 40 differs only by the lack of second Rohargon Kopfkondenstor, the additional pump 60 and a correspondingly different interconnection of the connecting lines 401-409 of those of FIG. 1 ,
  • the divided crude argon column consists of a "lower portion” formed by the second crude argon column 42 and an "upper portion” with top condenser 7 formed by the first crude argon column 6.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Dispositif pour la décomposition à basse température d'air avec un système de colonnes de distillation, qui comprend une colonne à pression élevée (3), une colonne à pression basse (4) et une première colonne à argon brut pour la séparation argon-oxygène (6), et qui est agencé dans au moins une première boîte froide (1), et qui comprend
    - une conduite d'alimentation de gaz (30) pour l'introduction d'un gaz depuis une section intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4) dans la première colonne à argon brut (6),
    - une conduite de recyclage de liquide (31) pour l'introduction d'un liquide depuis la colonne à argon brut (6) dans une section intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4),
    - un premier condensateur de tête d'argon brut (7) pour la génération d'un liquide de reflux pour la première colonne à argon brut (6), qui est configuré sous la forme d'un condensateur-évaporateur comprenant une chambre de liquéfaction et une chambre d'évaporation,
    - une conduite de réfrigérant (14) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant dans la chambre d'évaporation du premier condensateur de tête d'argon brut (7), et
    - une première conduite d'argon brut (34) pour le déchargement d'un produit de tête gazeux de la première colonne à argon brut (6) du système de colonnes de distillation,
    caractérisé par
    - un moyen pour le blocage de la première conduite d'argon brut et
    - des conduites de préparation (101, 102 ; 301, 302) pour raccorder la première colonne à argon brut (6) avec une deuxième colonne à argon brut pour la séparation argon-oxygène, les conduites de préparation traversant la paroi extérieure de la première boîte froide (1) et étant configurées de sorte que la première et la deuxième colonne à argon brut puissent être exploitées sous la forme de sections de distillation raccordées en série.
  2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par
    - un moyen pour le blocage de la conduite de réfrigérant (14) vers le premier condensateur de tête d'argon brut (7),
    - un première conduite de préparation (101) pour le déchargement d'un produit de tête gazeux de la première colonne à argon brut (6),
    - une deuxième conduite de préparation (102) pour l'introduction d'un liquide dans la zone supérieure de la première colonne à argon brut (6), et
    - une troisième conduite de préparation (13) pour le déchargement d'un fluide réfrigérant du système de colonnes de distillation.
  3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par
    - une quatrième conduite de préparation (104) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant évaporé dans une zone intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4), et notamment
    - une cinquième conduite de préparation (105) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant non évaporé dans une zone intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4), et éventuellement et/ou
    - une sixième conduite de préparation (106) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant non évaporé d'un condensateur de tête d'une colonne à argon pur dans une zone intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4).
  4. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé par
    - un moyen pour le blocage de la conduite d'alimentation de gaz (30) vers la première colonne à argon brut (6),
    - un moyen pour le blocage de la conduite de recyclage de liquide (31) de la première colonne à argon brut (6),
    - une septième conduite de préparation (301) pour le déchargement d'un gaz d'une section intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4),
    - une huitième conduite de préparation (302) pour l'introduction d'un liquide dans une section intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4),
    - une neuvième conduite de préparation (303) pour l'introduction d'un gaz dans la zone inférieure de la première colonne à argon brut (6), et
    - une dixième conduite de préparation (304) pour le déchargement d'un liquide de la zone inférieure de la première colonne à argon brut (6).
  5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé par
    - une onzième conduite de préparation (305) pour le déchargement d'un produit de tête gazeux de la première colonne à argon brut (6),
    - une sixième conduite de préparation (306) pour le déchargement d'un fluide réfrigérant du système de colonnes de distillation,
    - une douzième conduite de préparation (307) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant évaporé dans une zone intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (6), et notamment,
    - une treizième conduite de préparation (308) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant non évaporé du condensateur de tête d'une colonne à argon pur dans une zone intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4).
  6. Unité de mise à niveau pour la mise à niveau d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisée par
    - une deuxième colonne à argon brut (41) pour la séparation argon-oxygène,
    - une deuxième boîte froide (40), dans laquelle la deuxième colonne à argon brut (41) est agencée, et par
    - des conduites de raccordement (201 à 205) pour le raccordement de la deuxième colonne à argon brut avec les conduites de préparation (101 à 105) du dispositif, les conduites de raccordement traversant la paroi extérieure de la deuxième boîte froide (2),
    - les conduites de raccordement (201 à 205) étant configurées pour être connectées aux conduites de préparation (101 à 105).
  7. Unité de mise à niveau selon la revendication 6 pour la mise à niveau d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisée par
    - une ou deux conduites de raccordement (201, 202) pour la connexion de la zone inférieure de la deuxième colonne à argon brut (41) à la première et la deuxième conduite de préparation (101, 102),
    - une deuxième condensateur de tête d'argon brut (42) pour la génération d'un liquide de reflux pour la deuxième colonne à argon brut (41), qui est configuré sous la forme d'un condensateur-évaporateur comprenant une chambre de liquéfaction et une chambre d'évaporation, et
    - une conduite de raccordement (203) pour le raccordement de la chambre d'évaporation du deuxième condensateur de tête d'argon brut (42) avec la troisième conduite de préparation (103), et
    - notamment par une conduite de raccordement (204) pour l'introduction d'un fluide réfrigérant évaporé depuis la chambre d'évaporation du deuxième condensateur de tête d'argon brut (42) dans la section intermédiaire de la colonne à pression basse (4).
  8. Unité de mise à niveau selon la revendication 6 pour la mise à niveau d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 ou 5, lorsqu'elle dépend de la revendication 4, ou unité de mise à niveau pour la mise à niveau d'un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 ou 5, lorsqu'elle dépend de la revendication 4, caractérisée par
    - une ou deux conduites de raccordement pour la connexion de la zone inférieure de la deuxième colonne à argon brut (41) à la septième et huitième conduite de préparation (301, 302),
    - une ou deux conduites de raccordement pour la connexion de la zone inférieure de la deuxième colonne à argon brut (41) à la neuvième et dixième conduite de préparation (303, 304).
  9. Unité de mise à niveau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8 pour la mise à niveau d'un dispositif selon la revendication 4, caractérisée par une colonne à argon pur (43) comprenant un condensateur de tête de la colonne à argon pur (44).
  10. Procédé de mise à niveau d'une unité de décomposition d'air à basse température sans obtention d'argon, caractérisé en ce qu'une unité de mise à niveau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 9 est placée à côté d'une unité principale sans obtention d'argon et les conduites de raccordement sont raccordées avec l'unité principale.
EP14715547.7A 2013-04-18 2014-04-03 Dispositif pouvant être rééquipé, destiné à la décomposition à basse température de l'air, installation pouvant être rééquipée et procédé de rééquipement d'une installation de décomposition de l'air à basse température Active EP2986924B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14715547.7A EP2986924B1 (fr) 2013-04-18 2014-04-03 Dispositif pouvant être rééquipé, destiné à la décomposition à basse température de l'air, installation pouvant être rééquipée et procédé de rééquipement d'une installation de décomposition de l'air à basse température
PL14715547T PL2986924T3 (pl) 2013-04-18 2014-04-03 Wyposażane urządzenie do niskotemperaturowego rozkładu powietrza, instalacja wyposażana i sposób wyposażania niskotemperaturowej instalacji rozkładu powietrza

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13002046 2013-04-18
EP14715547.7A EP2986924B1 (fr) 2013-04-18 2014-04-03 Dispositif pouvant être rééquipé, destiné à la décomposition à basse température de l'air, installation pouvant être rééquipée et procédé de rééquipement d'une installation de décomposition de l'air à basse température
PCT/EP2014/000891 WO2014169989A1 (fr) 2013-04-18 2014-04-03 Dispositif de post-équipement pour la décomposition d'air à basse température, installation de post-équipement et procédé de post-équipement d'une installation de décomposition d'air à basse température

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP2986924A1 EP2986924A1 (fr) 2016-02-24
EP2986924B1 true EP2986924B1 (fr) 2017-07-12

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Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2986924B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN105264317B (fr)
PL (1) PL2986924T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014169989A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023198307A1 (fr) 2022-04-14 2023-10-19 Linde Gmbh Procédé et appareil pour la production d'argon à partir d'argon brut

Families Citing this family (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3067650B1 (fr) 2015-03-13 2018-04-25 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Installation et procede de production d'oxygene par separation cryogenique de l'air
WO2019144380A1 (fr) * 2018-01-26 2019-08-01 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Unité de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique
FR3135134B1 (fr) * 2022-04-27 2024-04-19 Air Liquide Procédé d’augmentation de la capacité d’un appareil de séparation d’air par distillation cryogénique existant et appareil de séparation d’air

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0540900A1 (fr) * 1991-10-10 1993-05-12 Praxair Technology, Inc. Système de rectification cryogénique pour la production d'oxygène ultra-pure

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2142317A1 (fr) * 1994-02-24 1995-08-25 Anton Moll Methode et appareil pour la recuperation d'argon pur
US5970743A (en) * 1998-06-10 1999-10-26 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Production of argon from a cryogenic air separation process
DE19957017A1 (de) * 1999-11-26 2001-05-31 Linde Ag Vorrichtung zur Gewinnung von Argon
EP1760415A1 (fr) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-07 SIAD MACCHINE IMPIANTI S.p.a. Procédé et dispositif pour la production d'argon par séparation cryogénique d'air
EP2026024A1 (fr) * 2007-07-30 2009-02-18 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Procédé et dispositif pour la production d'argon par séparation cryogénique d'air
EP2591300A2 (fr) * 2010-07-05 2013-05-15 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Appareil et procede de separation d'air par distillation cryogenique

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0540900A1 (fr) * 1991-10-10 1993-05-12 Praxair Technology, Inc. Système de rectification cryogénique pour la production d'oxygène ultra-pure

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023198307A1 (fr) 2022-04-14 2023-10-19 Linde Gmbh Procédé et appareil pour la production d'argon à partir d'argon brut

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2986924A1 (fr) 2016-02-24
WO2014169989A1 (fr) 2014-10-23
CN105264317A (zh) 2016-01-20
PL2986924T3 (pl) 2017-12-29
CN105264317B (zh) 2019-02-12

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