EP3438584A1 - Method and device for air separation by cryogenic distilling - Google Patents

Method and device for air separation by cryogenic distilling Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3438584A1
EP3438584A1 EP18186654.2A EP18186654A EP3438584A1 EP 3438584 A1 EP3438584 A1 EP 3438584A1 EP 18186654 A EP18186654 A EP 18186654A EP 3438584 A1 EP3438584 A1 EP 3438584A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
air
turbine
heat exchanger
point
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP18186654.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3438584B1 (en
Inventor
Patrice Cavagne
Bénédicte DOS SANTOS
Yann-Pierrick LEMAIRE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR1757497A external-priority patent/FR3069914B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757498A external-priority patent/FR3069916B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757493A external-priority patent/FR3069913B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757495A external-priority patent/FR3069915B1/en
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP3438584A1 publication Critical patent/EP3438584A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3438584B1 publication Critical patent/EP3438584B1/en
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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
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04563—Integration with a nitrogen consuming unit, e.g. for purging, inerting, cooling or heating
    • 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
    • F25J3/04818—Start-up of the process
    • 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
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04018—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of main feed air
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/0295—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used, e.g. sieve plates, packings
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    • F25J3/04024—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of purified feed air, so-called boosted air
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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—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
    • F25J3/04054—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 air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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
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    • 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
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    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—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
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    • 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
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    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
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    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
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    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
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    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
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    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
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    • F25J3/0486—Safety aspects of operation of vaporisers for oxygen enriched liquids, e.g. purging of liquids
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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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/12—Particular process parameters like pressure, temperature, ratios

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, in particular to an apparatus using a heat exchanger for cooling all the air intended for distillation.
  • the apparatus is kept cold at least partially by one or two turbines, at least one of which is coupled to a compressor.
  • An air compressor has an inlet temperature which is an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger, less than 0 ° C, or even lower than -50 ° C. It receives air from an intermediate level of the heat exchanger.
  • Another air compressor may have an inlet temperature greater than 0 ° C.
  • the expanded air is sent to a medium pressure column of a double distillation column and separated to form at least one product enriched in oxygen or nitrogen.
  • the present invention can reduce the cost of installation, facilitate restarting and calculating the pressures required for installation.
  • a check valve also known as a non-return valve, is a valve that allows fluids to flow downstream, but that closes automatically to block any fluid that rises upstream.
  • the invention proposes to have a check valve on the line supplying the two turbines with air from an intermediate point of the main heat exchanger.
  • This valve is arranged so that the air coming from the cold booster from the additional pipe is prevented from reaching the heat exchanger.
  • the valve closes automatically to prevent air from flowing to the heat exchanger. In normal operation, it lets air from the exchanger to the or the expansion turbines.
  • downstream and upstream in this claim refer to the direction of airflow during normal process operation.
  • an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation comprising a heat exchanger, a double separation column comprising a first column and a second column, the second column operating at a lower pressure.
  • the first column means for sending compressed and purified air to cool in the heat exchanger, a compressor, means for withdrawing a first portion at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger of the air to an intermediate temperature and for sending it to the compressor, means for returning compressed air into the compressor in the heat exchanger where it cools, means for sending liquefied air to at least the first column, means for sending oxygen and nitrogen-enriched liquids from the first column to the second column, means for withdrawing an oxygen-enriched fluid in the tank from the first column; second column, means for withdrawing a nitrogen-enriched fluid from the head of the second column and means for sending the nitrogen-enriched fluid to heat up in the heat exchanger, a withdrawal line for discharging a second part of the air of the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger,
  • downstream and upstream in this claim refer to the direction of airflow in normal operation of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprising a column system comprising a column operating at a first pressure K1 and a column operating at a second pressure K2 less than the first pressure.
  • the columns are thermally connected through a bottom reboiler of the second column heated with nitrogen head of the first column.
  • Non-illustrated reflux flow rates enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from column K1 to column K2.
  • Liquid oxygen 31 is withdrawn from the bottom of the second column K2 and nitrogen gas 33 is withdrawn at the top of the second column.
  • Liquid nitrogen is sent to the top of the second column by some phases to help hold the cold process.
  • the liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E.
  • the apparatus comprises a first air expansion turbine T1, a second air expansion turbine T2, a first air compressor C1 coupled to the first turbine and a second air compressor C2 coupled to the second turbine.
  • the compressed air 1 at a pressure P from another compressor is divided into two portions, a first portion 3 of which is sent to the heat exchanger E without having been compressed at a pressure beyond pressure P.
  • a second portion 5 is sent to the first compressor C1 where it is compressed to a pressure greater than that (P) of the first portion 3.
  • the output of the first compressor C1 is connected to the inlet of this compressor by a pipe 25 through a valve V8.
  • the inlet temperature of the compressor C2 is less than 0 ° C, or even lower than -50 ° C.
  • the first portion 3 is cooled in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof and an intermediate point P of the exchanger and has not been compressed in the first compressor is sent to the first and second turbines through the open valve CL3 and the open valves V5, V13, V4, V19, the air being split in two at a dividing point D for sending to the two turbines T1, T2.
  • the second portion 5 cools in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof after being compressed in the first compressor C1. Then it is sent to the second compressor C2.
  • the expanded air from the first and second turbines is sent to the first column K1 to be separated through the valves V6, V15, V11 and the pipe 13.
  • the second portion 5 is compressed in the second compressor C2, passes through the open valve CL1 and then cools in the heat exchanger before being sent in liquid form to the first column K1 through the valve V9. Valves V2 and V3 are closed.
  • valve V9 is closed and valve V3 is open.
  • the valve is disposed on the withdrawal pipe 8 preferably between the point P of air withdrawal for turbines and the division point D fractions 9 and 11 where the air is shared between the two turbines.
  • This dividing point can also be used to divide the air for the short-circuiting line.
  • the valve must be between the point of arrival A of the air coming from the pipe 23 and the intermediate point P of the exchanger E.
  • valve can be placed on the pipe 9 if the pipe 23 opens into the pipe 9 or the pipe 11 if the pipe 23 opens on the pipe 11.
  • the first portion 3 is output from a heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and has not been compressed in the first compressor is sent to the second compressor C2.
  • the second portion 5 cools in the heat exchanger to an intermediate temperature thereof after having been compressed in the first compressor C1 and is withdrawn at an intermediate point P of the exchanger via a withdrawal line 8. Then it is sent to the first and second turbines.
  • it is the first portion 3 of the air that is diversified, in case of starting, not to go through the heat exchanger E but directly to the inlet of the turbine T1 or T2, or even two.
  • the valve is disposed on the withdrawal pipe 8 preferably between the point P of air withdrawal for turbines and the division point D fractions 9 and 11 where the air is shared between the two turbines.
  • This dividing point can also be used to divide the air for the short-circuiting line.
  • the valve must be between the point of arrival A of the air coming from the pipe 23 and the intermediate point P of the exchanger E.
  • valve can be placed on the pipe 9 if the pipe 23 opens into the pipe 9 or the pipe 11 if the pipe 23 opens on the pipe 11.
  • the invention also applies to the case in which the apparatus comprises only one air turbine coupled to a cold compressor.
  • the air is sent in normal operation from the cold compressor to the heat exchanger.
  • the air can then pass directly into the column system after expansion or otherwise can be sent at least partly to the single turbine.
  • the cold compressor air can avoid the heat exchanger through a short-circuiting line connected upstream of the inlet of the single turbine.
  • the air can also be sent from this short-circuiting line to another short-circuiting line which can send air from the cold compressor to the column system, without passing through the turbine, by relaxing it in a valve.
  • the air sent to the turbine during the start through the pipe 23 arrives at a point of arrival A upstream of the turbine but downstream of the heat exchanger E and the check valve CL3.
  • the CL3 valve closes the withdrawal line 8 and thus prevents air from the pipe 23 to go up to the exchanger.
  • the pressure of the exchange line E going towards the suction of the turbine or the turbines T1, T2 should be defined according to the balancing pressure due to the connection of the anti-pumping valve V3 of the cold booster output C2 to the suction of the turbine T2 in the variant of the figure.
  • This balancing pressure is necessarily higher than the pressure of the normal source coming to the turbine. In in some cases, this may require a change of waves and therefore an additional cost on the exchanger.
  • the design of the heat exchanger does not take into account the balancing pressure and one uses just a valve of flow PSV defined on the scenario of a leak of the valve CL3 placed between the exit P of the exchanger and the CL3 valve.
  • the position of the check valve CL3 upstream of the dividing point D dividing the lines supplying the two turbines makes it possible to have a quick way of depressurizing the suction of the turbines before restarting if the implantation (point D) of the additional line 11, 15 of turbine bypass is downstream of this common valve CL3.
  • the pressure will rise less due to the balancing in a higher volume of pipe and there will always be the means to depressurize at a distance before restart by the bypass valve V7 to the column K1.
  • the operating pressures of the one or two turbines or the exchanger can be defined without waiting the final design of the pipes to calculate and know the actual volumes to be taken into account in a traditional calculation. This implies a saving of time.
  • the design pressure of the exchange line E is therefore totally independent of the balancing pressure thanks to the valve CL3 and a valve for protecting the leak of the valve CL3, so it is possible to define its design pressure very early in the project. independently of the turbine T2. Since the design pressure on the T2 turbine has no significant impact on its cost, we can make volume approximations to conservatively define the balancing pressure to be taken into account on the turbine without having the trace and the exact volume of piping that would finely calculate the balancing pressure.

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Abstract

Procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel de l'air est comprimé dans un compresseur (C2) et ensuite envoyé à un échangeur de chaleur (E), l'air refroidi dans l'échangeur étant envoyé à un clapet de retenue (CL3) en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur et ensuite à une turbine, le clapet étant positionné de sorte que l'air d'une conduite de court-circuitage (23) ne puisse remonter dans l'échangeur depuis le compresseur.

Figure imgaf001
Process for air separation by cryogenic distillation in which air is compressed in a compressor (C2) and then sent to a heat exchanger (E), the air cooled in the exchanger being sent to a check valve (CL3) downstream of the heat exchanger and then to a turbine, the valve being positioned so that the air of a short-circuiting conduit (23) can not go up in the exchanger from the compressor.
Figure imgaf001

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé et à un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique.The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation.

L'invention est relative à un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique, en particulier à un appareil utilisant un échangeur de chaleur pour refroidir tout l'air destiné à la distillation. L'appareil est tenu en froid au moins partiellement par une ou deux turbines, dont au moins une couplée à un compresseur. Un compresseur d'air a une température d'entrée qui est une température intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur, inférieure à 0°C, voire inférieure à -50°C. Il reçoit de l'air d'un niveau intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur. Un autre compresseur d'air peut avoir une température d'entrée supérieure à 0°C.The invention relates to an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation, in particular to an apparatus using a heat exchanger for cooling all the air intended for distillation. The apparatus is kept cold at least partially by one or two turbines, at least one of which is coupled to a compressor. An air compressor has an inlet temperature which is an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger, less than 0 ° C, or even lower than -50 ° C. It receives air from an intermediate level of the heat exchanger. Another air compressor may have an inlet temperature greater than 0 ° C.

L'usage d'un tel compresseur ayant une température d'entrée inférieure à 0°C, connu sous le nom « compresseur froid », car ayant une température d'entrée très froide, pose des problèmes. Au moment du démarrage l'air chauffé dans le compresseur froid peut se trouver à une température supérieure à celles supportées par l'échangeur de chaleur.The use of such a compressor having an inlet temperature of less than 0 ° C, known as a "cold compressor" because having a very cold inlet temperature, poses problems. When starting, the heated air in the cold compressor may be at a higher temperature than those supported by the heat exchanger.

Il est connu de FR-A-2851330 , qui décrit un procédé selon le préambule de la revendication 1, de relier la sortie d'un compresseur froide à l'entrée d'une turbine par des conduites en parallèle, une passant pas l'échangeur de chaleur principal de l'appareil de séparation d'air et l'autre n'y passant pas. Ainsi lors du démarrage des machines, il est préconisé d'envoyer l'air comprimé dans le compresseur froid à la turbine sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, afin d'éviter d'y envoyer de l'air trop chaud. Dans ce procédé, il existe un risque que l'air chaud du compresseur 5 passe via la vanne V1 vers l'échangeur, ce qui pourrait endommager l'échangeur.It is known to FR-A-2851330 , which discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1, to connect the output of a cold compressor to the inlet of a turbine by parallel lines, a passer not the main heat exchanger of the apparatus of separation of air and the other not passing. Thus when starting the machines, it is recommended to send the compressed air in the cold compressor to the turbine without passing through the heat exchanger, to avoid sending air too hot. In this process, there is a risk that the hot air of the compressor 5 passes via the valve V1 to the exchanger, which could damage the exchanger.

Il est connu de fournir aux moins une partie des frigories nécessaires à la séparation d'air par détente d'air en une turbine ou deux turbines connectées en parallèle, alimentée(s) par de l'air provenant d'un compresseur ou d'un surpresseur.It is known to provide at least a portion of the frigories necessary for air separation by expansion of air into a turbine or two turbines connected in parallel, powered by air from a compressor or from a booster.

L'air détendu est envoyé à une colonne moyenne pression d'une double colonne de distillation et séparé pour former au moins un produit enrichi en oxygène ou en azote.The expanded air is sent to a medium pressure column of a double distillation column and separated to form at least one product enriched in oxygen or nitrogen.

La présente invention peut permettre de réduire le coût de l'installation, de faciliter le redémarrage et le calcul des pressions requises pour l'installation.The present invention can reduce the cost of installation, facilitate restarting and calculating the pressures required for installation.

Un clapet de retenue, aussi appelé clapet de non-retour, est une vanne qui permet aux fluides de s'écouler vers l'aval, mais qui se ferme automatiquement pour bloquer tout fluide qui remonterait en amont.A check valve, also known as a non-return valve, is a valve that allows fluids to flow downstream, but that closes automatically to block any fluid that rises upstream.

Dans le contexte d'un appareil comprenant un surpresseur froid d'air pris à un niveau intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur, il est proposé de rajouter une conduite supplémentaire afin d'envoyer ponctuellement au moins une partie, voire tout l'air du surpresseur froid à l'entrée d'au moins une turbine de détente d'air sans passer par l'échangeur.In the context of an apparatus comprising a cold air booster taken at an intermediate level of the heat exchanger, it is proposed to add an additional duct in order to send at least a part or even all the air from time to time. cold booster at the inlet of at least one air expansion turbine without passing through the exchanger.

Dans ce cas, il est nécessaire de définir la pression à supporter par l'échangeur de chaleur en fonction de la pression d'équilibrage de la vanne en sortie du surpresseur froid envoyant l'air vers la turbine. Cette pression étant supérieure à celle d'entrée de turbine pour un appareil sans cette conduite supplémentaire. Ceci pourrait imposer un changement d'ondes et donc un surcoût sur l'échangeur.In this case, it is necessary to define the pressure to be withstood by the heat exchanger as a function of the equilibrium pressure of the valve at the outlet of the cold booster sending the air to the turbine. This pressure is greater than the turbine inlet for a device without this additional conduit. This could impose a wave change and therefore an additional cost on the exchanger.

Afin de réduire le prix de l'échangeur, l'invention propose de disposer un clapet de retenue sur la conduite alimentant les deux turbines en air provenant d'un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur principal. Ce clapet est disposé de sorte que l'air arrivant du surpresseur froid depuis la conduite supplémentaire est empêché d'arriver dans l'échangeur de chaleur. Le clapet se ferme automatiquement pour empêcher de l'air de couler vers l'échangeur. En fonctionnement normal, elle laisse passer l'air de l'échangeur vers la ou les turbines de détente.To reduce the price of the exchanger, the invention proposes to have a check valve on the line supplying the two turbines with air from an intermediate point of the main heat exchanger. This valve is arranged so that the air coming from the cold booster from the additional pipe is prevented from reaching the heat exchanger. The valve closes automatically to prevent air from flowing to the heat exchanger. In normal operation, it lets air from the exchanger to the or the expansion turbines.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel :

  1. i) de l'air comprimé et épuré est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur, une première partie de l'air est comprimée à une température intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur dans un compresseur et renvoyée à l'échangeur de chaleur où il se refroidit, la première partie de l'air se trouve liquéfiée et est envoyée à au moins une première colonne d'une double colonne, la double colonne comprenant la première colonne et une deuxième colonne, la deuxième colonne fonctionnant à plus basse pression que la première colonne,
  2. ii) des liquides enrichis en oxygène et en azote sont envoyés de la première colonne vers la deuxième colonne, un fluide enrichi en oxygène est soutiré en cuve de la deuxième colonne et un fluide enrichi en azote est soutiré de la tête de la deuxième colonne et se réchauffe dans l'échangeur de chaleur,
  3. iii) une deuxième partie de l'air sort de l'échangeur de chaleur à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et éventuellement est ensuite divisée en une première et une deuxième fractions à un point de division, la deuxième partie de l'air ou au moins une partie de la première fraction est détendue dans une première turbine et envoyée à la première colonne, éventuellement au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est détendue dans une deuxième turbine et envoyée à la première colonne, et
  4. iv) le refoulement du compresseur est relié à l'entrée de la turbine ou d'au moins une des première et deuxième turbines à travers une conduite et un point d'arrivée qui permet d'envoyer de l'air du compresseur à la turbine ou une des turbines sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur,
caractérisé en ce que la deuxième partie de l'air est envoyée à un clapet de retenue en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur et éventuellement en amont du point de division pour le cas avec deux turbines, le clapet servant à empêcher l'air de passer dans le sens contraire de celui de l'opération normale et d'arriver depuis le point d'arrivée dans l'échangeur, étant disposé sur une conduite entre le point d'arrivée et l'échangeur.According to one object of the invention, there is provided a method of air separation by cryogenic distillation in which:
  1. i) compressed and purified air is cooled in a heat exchanger, a first part of the air is compressed at an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger in a compressor and returned to the heat exchanger where it is cooled, the first part of the air is liquefied and is sent to at least a first column of a double column, the double column comprising the first column and a second column, the second column operating at a lower pressure than the first column; column,
  2. ii) oxygen and nitrogen-enriched liquids are sent from the first column to the second column, an oxygen-enriched fluid is withdrawn from the bottom of the second column and a nitrogen-enriched fluid is withdrawn from the head of the second column and warms up in the heat exchanger,
  3. iii) a second part of the air exits the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and optionally is then divided into first and second fractions at a dividing point, the second part of the air or at least a portion of the first fraction is expanded in a first turbine and sent to the first column, optionally at least a portion of the second fraction is expanded in a second turbine and sent to the first column, and
  4. iv) the discharge of the compressor is connected to the inlet of the turbine or at least one of the first and second turbines through a pipe and an end point which makes it possible to send air from the compressor to the turbine or one of the turbines without going through the heat exchanger,
characterized in that the second part of the air is sent to a check valve downstream of the heat exchanger and possibly upstream of the dividing point for the case with two turbines, the valve serving to prevent the air from go in the opposite direction to that of the normal operation and arrive from the point of arrival in the exchanger, being disposed on a pipe between the point of arrival and the exchanger.

Les termes « en aval » et « en amont » dans cette revendication font référence au sens d'écoulement de l'air en opération normale du procédé.The terms "downstream" and "upstream" in this claim refer to the direction of airflow during normal process operation.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs :

  • pendant le démarrage, on envoie de l'air du compresseur à la turbine ou une des turbines en passant par le point d'arrivée mais sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, l'air étant refoulé par le clapet de retenue.
  • l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est détendue dans la deuxième turbine et envoyée à la première colonne, l'au moins une partie de la première fraction détendue dans la première turbine et l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction détendue dans la deuxième turbine sont mélangées à un point de mélange et ensuite envoyées comme un seul débit à la première colonne.
  • une partie de la première et/ou de la deuxième fraction n'est pas détendue dans une turbine mais dans une vanne et ensuite est envoyée au système de colonnes.
  • pendant le démarrage et/ou une marche de débit réduit dans la colonne et/ou la dépressurisation, une partie de la première et/ou de la deuxième fraction n'est pas détendue dans une turbine mais dans une vanne et ensuite est envoyée au système de colonnes.
  • une partie de la deuxième partie de l'air n'est pas détendue dans la turbine mais dans une vanne et ensuite est envoyée au système de colonnes.
  • pendant le démarrage et/ou une marche de débit réduit dans la colonne et/ou la dépressurisation, une partie de la deuxième partie de l'air n'est pas détendue dans la turbine mais dans une vanne et ensuite est envoyée au système de colonnes.
  • la partie de la première et/ou deuxième fraction détendue dans la vanne est mélangée avec le seul débit envoyé à la première colonne en aval du point de mélange.
  • de l'air est refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur jusqu'à une température intermédiaire de celle-ci, comprimé dans le compresseur et renvoyé à l'échangeur de chaleur, le compresseur étant entrainé par la première ou la deuxième turbine.
  • la température d'entrée du compresseur est inférieure à 0°C, voire inférieure à -50°C.
According to other optional aspects:
  • during startup, air is sent from the compressor to the turbine or one of the turbines passing through the end point but without passing through the heat exchanger, the air being discharged by the check valve.
  • the at least a portion of the second fraction is expanded in the second turbine and sent to the first column, the at least a portion of the first fraction expanded in the first turbine and the at least a portion of the second fraction relaxed in the second turbine are mixed at a mixing point and then sent as a single flow to the first column.
  • a part of the first and / or second fraction is not expanded in a turbine but in a valve and then sent to the column system.
  • during startup and / or a reduced flow rate in the column and / or depressurization, part of the first and / or second fraction is not expanded in a turbine but in a valve and then sent to the system of columns.
  • part of the second part of the air is not expanded in the turbine but in a valve and then sent to the column system.
  • during start-up and / or reduced flow rate in the column and / or depressurization, part of the second part of the air is not expanded in the turbine but in a valve and then sent to the column system .
  • the portion of the first and / or second fraction expanded in the valve is mixed with the single rate fed to the first column downstream of the mixing point.
  • air is cooled in the heat exchanger to an intermediate temperature thereof, compressed in the compressor and returned to the heat exchanger, the compressor being driven by the first or second turbine.
  • the compressor inlet temperature is below 0 ° C or below -50 ° C.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant un échangeur de chaleur, une double colonne de séparation comprenant une première colonne et une deuxième colonne, la deuxième colonne fonctionnant à plus basse pression que la première colonne, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air comprimé et épuré se refroidir dans l'échangeur de chaleur, un compresseur, des moyens pour soutirer une première partie à un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur de l'air à une température intermédiaire et pour l'envoyer au compresseur, des moyens pour renvoyer de l'air comprimé dans le compresseur dans l'échangeur de chaleur où il se refroidit, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air liquéfiée à au moins la première colonne, des moyens pour envoyer des liquides enrichis en oxygène et en azote de la première colonne vers la deuxième colonne, des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en oxygène en cuve de la deuxième colonne, des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en azote de la tête de la deuxième colonne et des moyens pour envoyer le fluide enrichi en azote se réchauffer dans l'échangeur de chaleur, une conduite de soutirage pour sortir une deuxième partie de l'air de l'échangeur de chaleur à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et à un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur, éventuellement des moyens pour diviser la deuxième partie en une première et une deuxième fractions à un point de division, une première turbine et éventuellement une deuxième turbine, des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie de la première fraction se détendre dans la première turbine et ensuite à la première colonne, éventuellement des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction se détendre dans la deuxième turbine et ensuite à la première colonne et des moyens pour envoyer de l'air du refoulement du compresseur à une entrée de la turbine ou d'une des turbines sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, ces moyens étant reliés à un point d'arrivée (A) caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un clapet de retenue disposé sur la conduite de soutirage en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur et éventuellement en amont du point de division, le clapet étant disposé sur une conduite entre le point d'arrivée et l'échangeur et étant capable d'empêcher l'arrivée d'air depuis le point d'arrivée vers l'échangeur.According to another object of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation comprising a heat exchanger, a double separation column comprising a first column and a second column, the second column operating at a lower pressure. that the first column, means for sending compressed and purified air to cool in the heat exchanger, a compressor, means for withdrawing a first portion at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger of the air to an intermediate temperature and for sending it to the compressor, means for returning compressed air into the compressor in the heat exchanger where it cools, means for sending liquefied air to at least the first column, means for sending oxygen and nitrogen-enriched liquids from the first column to the second column, means for withdrawing an oxygen-enriched fluid in the tank from the first column; second column, means for withdrawing a nitrogen-enriched fluid from the head of the second column and means for sending the nitrogen-enriched fluid to heat up in the heat exchanger, a withdrawal line for discharging a second part of the air of the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger, optionally means for dividing the second portion into first and second fractions at a dividing point, a first turbine and possibly a second turbine, means for sending at least a portion of the first fraction to relax in the first turbine and then to the first column, optionally means for sending at least a portion of the second fraction to relax in the second turbine and then to the first column and means to send air from the discharge of the compressor to an inlet of the turbine or one of the turbines without passing through the heat exchanger, these means being connected to an end point (A) characterized in that it comprises a check valve disposed on the pipe offstream of the heat exchanger and possibly upstream of the dividing point, the valve being disposed on a pipe between the end point and the exchanger and being able to prevent the inflow of air from the point of arrival towards the exchanger.

Les termes « en aval » et « en amont » dans cette revendication font référence au sens d'écoulement de l'air en opération normale de l'appareil.The terms "downstream" and "upstream" in this claim refer to the direction of airflow in normal operation of the apparatus.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs :

  • l'appareil comprend des moyens pour mélanger l'au moins une partie de la première fraction détendue dans la première turbine et l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction détendue dans la deuxième turbine à un point de mélange et des moyens pour les envoyer comme un seul débit à la première colonne.
  • l'appareil comprend une vanne de détente reliée au clapet de retenue à travers le point de division et reliée au système de colonnes, de sorte que de l'air puisse passer du clapet au système de colonnes sans passer par une turbine.
  • dans le cas où l'appareil comprend deux turbines, les moyens pour envoyer de l'air du refoulement du compresseur à une entrée d'une des turbines sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur sont reliés à un point d'arrivée entre le point de division et l'entrée de la turbine.
  • l'appareil comprend la deuxième turbine et une vanne entre le point d'arrivée et le point de division.
According to other optional aspects:
  • the apparatus comprises means for mixing the at least a portion of the first fraction expanded in the first turbine and the at least a portion of the second fraction expanded in the second turbine at a mixing point and means for sending them as a single flow in the first column.
  • the apparatus comprises an expansion valve connected to the check valve through the dividing point and connected to the column system so that air can flow from the valve to the column system without passing through a turbine.
  • in the case where the apparatus comprises two turbines, the means for sending air from the discharge of the compressor to an inlet of one of the turbines without passing through the heat exchanger are connected to a point of arrival between the point division and the inlet of the turbine.
  • the apparatus comprises the second turbine and a valve between the point of arrival and the point of division.

L'invention sera décrite en plus de détail en se référant à la figure qui illustre un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique selon l'invention.The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figure which illustrates an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation according to the invention.

L'appareil comprenant un système de colonnes comprenant une colonne opérant à une première pression K1 et une colonne opérant à une deuxième pression K2 inférieure à la première pression. Les colonnes sont reliées thermiquement à travers un rebouilleur de cuve de la deuxième colonne chauffé par de l'azote de tête de la première colonne. Des débits de reflux non-illustrés enrichis en azote et en oxygène sont envoyés de la colonne K1 à la colonne K2. De l'oxygène liquide 31 est soutiré en cuve de la deuxième colonne K2 et de l'azote gazeux 33 est soutiré en tête de la deuxième colonne. De l'azote liquide est envoyé en tête de la deuxième colonne par certaines phases pour aider à tenir le procédé en froid. L'oxygène liquide 31 peut se vaporiser dans l'échangeur de chaleur E.The apparatus comprising a column system comprising a column operating at a first pressure K1 and a column operating at a second pressure K2 less than the first pressure. The columns are thermally connected through a bottom reboiler of the second column heated with nitrogen head of the first column. Non-illustrated reflux flow rates enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from column K1 to column K2. Liquid oxygen 31 is withdrawn from the bottom of the second column K2 and nitrogen gas 33 is withdrawn at the top of the second column. Liquid nitrogen is sent to the top of the second column by some phases to help hold the cold process. The liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E.

L'appareil comprend une première turbine de détente d'air T1, une deuxième turbine de détente d'air T2, un premier compresseur d'air C1 couplé à la première turbine et un deuxième compresseur d'air C2 couplé à la deuxième turbine. L'air comprimé 1 à une pression P provenant d'un autre compresseur (non-illustré) est divisé en deux portions, dont une première portion 3 est envoyée à l'échangeur de chaleur E sans avoir été comprimé à une pression au-delà de la pression P. Une deuxième portion 5 est envoyée au premier compresseur C1 où elle est comprimée à une pression supérieure à celle (P) de la première portion 3. La sortie du premier compresseur C1 est reliée à l'entrée de ce compresseur par une conduite 25 à travers une vanne V8.The apparatus comprises a first air expansion turbine T1, a second air expansion turbine T2, a first air compressor C1 coupled to the first turbine and a second air compressor C2 coupled to the second turbine. The compressed air 1 at a pressure P from another compressor (not shown) is divided into two portions, a first portion 3 of which is sent to the heat exchanger E without having been compressed at a pressure beyond pressure P. A second portion 5 is sent to the first compressor C1 where it is compressed to a pressure greater than that (P) of the first portion 3. The output of the first compressor C1 is connected to the inlet of this compressor by a pipe 25 through a valve V8.

La température d'entrée du compresseur C2 est inférieure à 0°C, voire inférieure à -50°C.The inlet temperature of the compressor C2 is less than 0 ° C, or even lower than -50 ° C.

Selon une première variante, la première portion 3 est refroidie dans l'échangeur de chaleur E jusqu' à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et un point intermédiaire P de l'échangeur et n'ayant pas été comprimée dans le premier compresseur est envoyée vers la première et la deuxième turbines à travers le clapet ouvert CL3 et les vannes ouvertes V5, V13, V4, V19, l'air étant divisé en deux à un point de division D pour envoi vers les deux turbines T1, T2.According to a first variant, the first portion 3 is cooled in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof and an intermediate point P of the exchanger and has not been compressed in the first compressor is sent to the first and second turbines through the open valve CL3 and the open valves V5, V13, V4, V19, the air being split in two at a dividing point D for sending to the two turbines T1, T2.

La deuxième portion 5 se refroidit dans l'échangeur de chaleur E jusqu'à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci après avoir été comprimée dans le premier compresseur C1. Ensuite elle est envoyée vers le deuxième compresseur C2.The second portion 5 cools in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof after being compressed in the first compressor C1. Then it is sent to the second compressor C2.

En marche normale, l'air détendu provenant des première et deuxième turbines est envoyé à la première colonne K1 pour être séparé à travers les vannes V6, V15, V11 et la conduite 13. La deuxième portion 5 est comprimée dans le deuxième compresseur C2, passe par le clapet ouvert CL1 et ensuite se refroidit dans l'échangeur de chaleur avant d'être envoyé sous forme liquide à la première colonne K1 à travers la vanne V9. Les vannes V2 et V3 sont fermées.In normal operation, the expanded air from the first and second turbines is sent to the first column K1 to be separated through the valves V6, V15, V11 and the pipe 13. The second portion 5 is compressed in the second compressor C2, passes through the open valve CL1 and then cools in the heat exchanger before being sent in liquid form to the first column K1 through the valve V9. Valves V2 and V3 are closed.

En phase de démarrage, on craint que l'air provenant du compresseur C2 n'arrive trop chaud à l'entrée de l'échangeur E en sortie de C2, par exemple à une température plus haute que les 65°C de température de tenue mécanique de l'échangeur. Pour éviter cela, la vanne V9 est fermée et la vanne V3 ouverte.During the start-up phase, it is feared that the air coming from the compressor C2 will get too hot at the inlet of the exchanger E at the outlet of C2, for example at a temperature higher than the 65 ° C temperature of mechanical strength of the exchanger. To prevent this, valve V9 is closed and valve V3 is open.

Ainsi l'air provenant du compresseur C2 ne passe plus vers l'échangeur de chaleur E mais vers l'entrée de la deuxième turbine T2 à travers la conduite 23 et la vanne ouverte V3. Tout l'air ne peut pas passer dans la turbine donc la vanne V4 est ouverte, le débit passant par la turbine étant limitée par l'ouverture des aubages de la turbine et le reste de l'air provenant du compresseur C2 passe à la colonne à travers les conduites 11 et 15.Thus the air from the compressor C2 no longer passes to the heat exchanger E but to the inlet of the second turbine T2 through the pipe 23 and the open valve V3. All the air can not pass into the turbine so the valve V4 is open, the flow passing through the turbine being limited by the opening of the blades of the turbine and the rest of the air from the compressor C2 passes to the column through lines 11 and 15.

Il est également possible d'envoyer l'air de démarrage vers l'entrée des deux turbines. Ainsi l'air passe dans la conduite 11 et passe à la turbine T1 à travers les vannes V13, V5 et/ou à la conduite de court-circuitages 15 dans laquelle il est détendu par la vanne V7 pour obtenir une réduction de pression similaire à celle de la turbine T1. La vanne V2 reste fermée. Il est également possible d'envoyer l'air provenant du compresseur C2 vers le refoulement de la turbine T1 et/ou vers le refoulement de la turbine T2. Ainsi l'air ne circule ni dans l'échangeur de chaleur ni de préférence dans les turbines et passe directement à la colonne de distillation. Le clapet CL3 empêche l'air 23 de passer dans le sens contraire de celui de l'opération normale et d'arriver dans l'échangeur au point intermédiaire P. L'air envoyé à la turbine pendant le démarrage à travers la conduite 23 arrive à un point d'arrivée A en amont des turbines T1, T2, de préférence en aval du point de division D, mais en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur E et du clapet de retenue CL3.It is also possible to send the start air to the inlet of the two turbines. Thus, the air passes through the pipe 11 and passes to the turbine T1 through the valves V13, V5 and / or to the short-circuiting pipe 15 in which it is expanded by the valve V7 to obtain a pressure reduction similar to that of the turbine T1. Valve V2 remains closed. It is also possible to send the air from the compressor C2 to the discharge of the turbine T1 and / or to the discharge of the turbine T2. Thus air does not circulate in the heat exchanger and preferably in the turbines and passes directly to the distillation column. The valve CL3 prevents the air 23 from going in the opposite direction to that of the normal operation and from reaching the exchanger at the intermediate point P. The air sent to the turbine during the start through the pipe 23 arrives at a point of arrival A upstream of the turbines T1, T2, preferably downstream of the dividing point D, but downstream of the heat exchanger E and the check valve CL3.

Le clapet est disposé sur la conduite de soutirage 8 de préférence entre le point P de soutirage d'air destiné aux turbines et le point de division D des fractions 9 et 11 où l'air est partagé entre les deux turbines. Ce point de division peut également servir à diviser l'air destiné à la conduite de court-circuitage.The valve is disposed on the withdrawal pipe 8 preferably between the point P of air withdrawal for turbines and the division point D fractions 9 and 11 where the air is shared between the two turbines. This dividing point can also be used to divide the air for the short-circuiting line.

Le clapet doit se trouver entre le point d'arrivée A de l'air provenant de la conduite 23 et le point intermédiaire P de l'échangeur E.The valve must be between the point of arrival A of the air coming from the pipe 23 and the intermediate point P of the exchanger E.

Dans une version moins performante, le clapet peut être placé sur la conduite 9 si la conduite 23 débouche dans la conduite 9 ou sur la conduite 11 si la conduite 23 débouche sur la conduite 11.In a less efficient version, the valve can be placed on the pipe 9 if the pipe 23 opens into the pipe 9 or the pipe 11 if the pipe 23 opens on the pipe 11.

Lorsqu'on démarre les turbines T1, T2 et donc les compresseurs C1, C2, les vannes antipompage des compresseurs C1, C2 sont totalement ouvertes (vanne V8 pour C1 et vanne V3 pour C2).When the turbines T1, T2 and thus the compressors C1, C2 are started, the anti-jamming valves of the compressors C1, C2 are completely open (valve V8 for C1 and valve V3 for C2).

Ceci permet le démarrage à chaud du compresseur froid C2 quelle que soit la température et sans conséquence sur les températures de calcul des équipements en aval du compresseur C2. L'élévation de la température est extrêmement faible au démarrage, étant donné le taux de compression minimal sur le compresseur C1 grâce à la vanne d'anti pompage V3.This allows the cold compressor C2 to be started hot regardless of the temperature and without consequences on the calculation temperatures of the equipment downstream of the compressor C2. The temperature rise is extremely low at startup, given the minimal compression ratio on the C1 compressor thanks to the anti-pumping valve V3.

Selon une deuxième variante, la première portion 3 est sortie d'un échangeur de chaleur à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et n'ayant pas été comprimée dans le premier compresseur est envoyée vers le deuxième compresseur C2.According to a second variant, the first portion 3 is output from a heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and has not been compressed in the first compressor is sent to the second compressor C2.

La deuxième portion 5 se refroidit dans l'échangeur de chaleur jusqu'à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci après avoir été comprimée dans le premier compresseur C1 et est soutirée à un point intermédiaire P de l'échangeur par une conduite de soutirage 8. Ensuite elle est envoyée vers la première et la deuxième turbines. Dans ce cas, c'est la première portion 3 de l'air qui est divertie, en cas de démarrage, pour ne plus passer par l'échangeur de chaleur E mais directement à l'entrée de la turbine T1 ou T2, voire les deux.The second portion 5 cools in the heat exchanger to an intermediate temperature thereof after having been compressed in the first compressor C1 and is withdrawn at an intermediate point P of the exchanger via a withdrawal line 8. Then it is sent to the first and second turbines. In this case, it is the first portion 3 of the air that is diversified, in case of starting, not to go through the heat exchanger E but directly to the inlet of the turbine T1 or T2, or even two.

Comme décrit ci-dessus, il est recommandé d'envoyer une partie de l'air provenant de la conduite 23 dans la conduite 9 en ouvrant la vanne V19 et ensuite vers la conduite 11 et la conduite de court-circuitage 15 avec sa vanne V7. Le clapet CL3 empêche cet air 23 de passer dans le sens contraire de celui de l'opération normale et d'arriver dans l'échangeur au point intermédiaire P. L'air envoyé à la turbine pendant le démarrage à travers la conduite 23 arrive à un point d'arrivée A en amont des turbines T1,T2, de préférence en aval du point de division D, mais en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur E et du clapet de retenue CL3.As described above, it is recommended to send a part of the air coming from the pipe 23 into the pipe 9 by opening the valve V19 and then towards the pipe 11 and the short-circuiting pipe 15 with its valve V7 . The valve CL3 prevents this air 23 from going in the opposite direction to that of the normal operation and from reaching the exchanger at the intermediate point P. The air sent to the turbine during the start through the pipe 23 arrives at an end point A upstream of the turbines T1, T2, preferably downstream of the division point D, but downstream of the heat exchanger E and the check valve CL3.

Le clapet est disposé sur la conduite de soutirage 8 de préférence entre le point P de soutirage d'air destiné aux turbines et le point de division D des fractions 9 et 11 où l'air est partagé entre les deux turbines. Ce point de division peut également servir à diviser l'air destiné à la conduite de court-circuitage.The valve is disposed on the withdrawal pipe 8 preferably between the point P of air withdrawal for turbines and the division point D fractions 9 and 11 where the air is shared between the two turbines. This dividing point can also be used to divide the air for the short-circuiting line.

Le clapet doit se trouver entre le point d'arrivée A de l'air provenant de la conduite 23 et le point intermédiaire P de l'échangeur E.The valve must be between the point of arrival A of the air coming from the pipe 23 and the intermediate point P of the exchanger E.

Dans une version moins performante, le clapet peut être placé sur la conduite 9 si la conduite 23 débouche dans la conduite 9 ou sur la conduite 11 si la conduite 23 débouche sur la conduite 11.In a less efficient version, the valve can be placed on the pipe 9 if the pipe 23 opens into the pipe 9 or the pipe 11 if the pipe 23 opens on the pipe 11.

L'invention s'applique également au cas dans lequel l'appareil ne comprend qu'une seule turbine d'air couplée à un compresseur froid. Dans ce cas, l'air est envoyé en service normal du compresseur froid vers l'échangeur de chaleur. L'air peut ensuite passer directement dans le système de colonne après détente ou sinon peut être envoyé au moins en partie à la seule turbine.The invention also applies to the case in which the apparatus comprises only one air turbine coupled to a cold compressor. In this case, the air is sent in normal operation from the cold compressor to the heat exchanger. The air can then pass directly into the column system after expansion or otherwise can be sent at least partly to the single turbine.

Pendant le démarrage, l'air du compresseur froid peut éviter l'échangeur de chaleur en passant par une conduite de court-circuitage relié en amont de l'entrée de l'unique turbine. L'air peut également être envoyé depuis cette conduite de court-circuitage à une autre conduite de court-circuitage qui permet d'envoyer de l'air du compresseur froid au système de colonnes, sans passer par la turbine, en le détendant dans une vanne.During startup, the cold compressor air can avoid the heat exchanger through a short-circuiting line connected upstream of the inlet of the single turbine. The air can also be sent from this short-circuiting line to another short-circuiting line which can send air from the cold compressor to the column system, without passing through the turbine, by relaxing it in a valve.

L'air envoyé à la turbine pendant le démarrage à travers la conduite 23 arrive à un point d'arrivée A en amont de la turbine mais en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur E et du clapet de retenue CL3. Le clapet CL3 ferme la conduite de soutirage 8 et ainsi empêche l'air provenant de la conduite 23 de monter vers l'échangeur.The air sent to the turbine during the start through the pipe 23 arrives at a point of arrival A upstream of the turbine but downstream of the heat exchanger E and the check valve CL3. The CL3 valve closes the withdrawal line 8 and thus prevents air from the pipe 23 to go up to the exchanger.

La position du clapet de retenue CL3 sur la conduite de soutirage 8 entre l'arrivée A d'air du compresseur C2 et le point intermédiaire P de l'échangeur permet de diminuer la pression de calcul de l'échangeur E, ce qui a un impact sur le coût de l'appareil.The position of the check valve CL3 on the withdrawal line 8 between the air inlet A of the compressor C2 and the intermediate point P of the exchanger makes it possible to reduce the design pressure of the exchanger E, which has a impact on the cost of the device.

En l'absence d'un clapet CL3 sur la conduite de soutirage 8, la pression de la ligne d'échange E allant vers l'aspiration de la turbine ou des turbines T1,T2 devrait être définie en fonction de la pression d'équilibrage due à la connexion de la vanne anti-pompage V3 de la sortie booster froid C2 vers l'aspiration de la turbine T2 dans la variante de la figure. Cette pression d'équilibrage est forcément plus élevée que la pression de la source normale venant à la turbine. Dans certains cas, cela pourrait imposer un changement d'ondes et donc un surcoût sur l'échangeur.In the absence of a valve CL3 on the withdrawal pipe 8, the pressure of the exchange line E going towards the suction of the turbine or the turbines T1, T2 should be defined according to the balancing pressure due to the connection of the anti-pumping valve V3 of the cold booster output C2 to the suction of the turbine T2 in the variant of the figure. This balancing pressure is necessarily higher than the pressure of the normal source coming to the turbine. In in some cases, this may require a change of waves and therefore an additional cost on the exchanger.

Avec le clapet, la conception de l'échangeur ne prend pas en compte la pression d'équilibrage et on utilise juste une soupape de débit PSV définie sur le scénario d'une fuite du clapet CL3 placée entre la sortie P de l'échangeur et le clapet CL3.With the valve, the design of the heat exchanger does not take into account the balancing pressure and one uses just a valve of flow PSV defined on the scenario of a leak of the valve CL3 placed between the exit P of the exchanger and the CL3 valve.

Pour la variante avec deux turbines, la position du clapet de retenue CL3 en amont du point de division D divisant les conduites alimentant les deux turbines permet d'avoir un moyen rapide de dépressuriser l'aspiration des turbines avant redémarrage si l'implantation (point de division D) de la conduite supplémentaire 11, 15 de contournement de turbines est en aval de ce clapet commun CL3.For the variant with two turbines, the position of the check valve CL3 upstream of the dividing point D dividing the lines supplying the two turbines makes it possible to have a quick way of depressurizing the suction of the turbines before restarting if the implantation (point D) of the additional line 11, 15 of turbine bypass is downstream of this common valve CL3.

Dans le cas où on aurait le clapet CL3 non pas sur la ligne commune 8 allant de l'échangeur E vers les deux turbines T1, T2 mais sur uniquement la ligne 9 alimentant la seule turbine T2, après chaque arrêt et donc pour chaque redémarrage on aurait à l'entrée de cette turbine la pression d'équilibrage (supérieure voire très supérieure à la pression opératoire). Comme dans cette configuration on se trouve "en cul de sac", on ne peut dépressuriser ce bout de tuyau soit en passant par la turbine mais cela nécessiterait la prise en compte d'un cas de démarrage à une pression aspiration plus élevée avec des impacts design voire une impossibilité technique (rapport de détente trop élevée) soit l'obligation d'ajouter un artifice de dépressurisation. Dans le cas de l'invention où le clapet est disposé sur la ligne commune alimentant les deux turbines, la pression montera moins haut dû à l'équilibrage dans un volume de tuyau plus élevé et il y aura toujours le moyen de dépressuriser à distance avant redémarrage par la vanne de contournement V7 vers la colonne K1.In the case where one would have the CL3 valve not on the common line 8 from the exchanger E to the two turbines T1, T2 but only on the line 9 supplying the only turbine T2, after each stop and therefore for each restart on at the inlet of this turbine, the balancing pressure (higher or even much higher than the operating pressure). As in this configuration we are "dead end", we can not depressurize this pipe either through the turbine but it would require the consideration of a start case at a higher suction pressure with impacts design even a technical impossibility (too high relaxation ratio) is the obligation to add a device for depressurization. In the case of the invention where the valve is disposed on the common line supplying the two turbines, the pressure will rise less due to the balancing in a higher volume of pipe and there will always be the means to depressurize at a distance before restart by the bypass valve V7 to the column K1.

La position du clapet de retenue CL3 en amont du point de division D divisant les conduites alimentant les deux turbines permet de s'affranchir d'un dimensionnement pénalisant, par rapport à la pression d'équilibrage du compresseur C2, pour la ligne d'échange E en surdimensionnement légèrement la pression à appliquer sur les turbines T1, T2. Ce surdimensionnement est négligeable au regard sur surcoût que l'on devrait appliquer sur la ligne d'échange E s'il n'y avait pas le clapet CL3.The position of the check valve CL3 upstream of the dividing point D dividing the lines supplying the two turbines makes it possible to dispense with a penalizing dimensioning, with respect to the balancing pressure of the compressor C2, for the exchange line. E slightly oversizing the pressure to be applied on turbines T1, T2. This oversizing is negligible in view of additional cost that should be applied on the exchange line E if there was no CL3 valve.

Dans le cadre de l'invention, les pressions de fonctionnement de la ou deux turbines ou de l'échangeur (dans l'exemple, de la turbine T2 reliée au compresseur C2 et de la ligne d'échange E) peuvent être définies sans attendre la conception finale des tuyauteries pour calculer et connaitre les volumes effectifs à prendre en compte dans un calcul traditionnel. Ceci implique un gain de temps.In the context of the invention, the operating pressures of the one or two turbines or the exchanger (in the example, the turbine T2 connected to the compressor C2 and the exchange line E) can be defined without waiting the final design of the pipes to calculate and know the actual volumes to be taken into account in a traditional calculation. This implies a saving of time.

La pression de calcul de la ligne d'échange E est donc totalement indépendante de la pression d'équilibrage grâce au clapet CL3 et une soupape de protection de la fuite du clapet CL3, on peut donc définir sa pression de calcul très tôt dans le projet indépendamment de la turbine T2. Comme la pression de calcul sur la turbine T2 n'a pas de gros impact sur son coût, on peut faire des approximations de volume pour définir de façon conservatrice la pression d'équilibrage à prendre en compte sur la turbine sans avoir le tracé et le volume exact de tuyauterie qui permettrait de calculer finement la pression d'équilibrage.The design pressure of the exchange line E is therefore totally independent of the balancing pressure thanks to the valve CL3 and a valve for protecting the leak of the valve CL3, so it is possible to define its design pressure very early in the project. independently of the turbine T2. Since the design pressure on the T2 turbine has no significant impact on its cost, we can make volume approximations to conservatively define the balancing pressure to be taken into account on the turbine without having the trace and the exact volume of piping that would finely calculate the balancing pressure.

Claims (14)

Procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel : i) de l'air comprimé et épuré est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur (E), une première partie (19) de l'air est comprimée à une température intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur dans un compresseur (C2) et renvoyée à l'échangeur de chaleur où il se refroidit, la première partie de l'air se trouve liquéfiée et est envoyée à au moins une première colonne (K1) d'une double colonne, la double colonne comprenant la première colonne et une deuxième colonne (K2), la deuxième colonne fonctionnant à plus basse pression que la première colonne, ii) des liquides enrichis en oxygène et en azote sont envoyés de la première colonne vers la deuxième colonne, un fluide enrichi en oxygène (31) est soutiré en cuve de la deuxième colonne et un fluide enrichi en azote (33) est soutiré de la tête de la deuxième colonne et se réchauffe dans l'échangeur de chaleur, iii) une deuxième partie de l'air sort de l'échangeur de chaleur à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et éventuellement est ensuite divisée en une première et une deuxième fractions à un point de division (D), la deuxième partie de l'air ou au moins une partie de la première fraction (9) est détendue dans une première turbine (T2) et envoyée à la première colonne, éventuellement au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est détendue dans une deuxième turbine (T1) et envoyée à la première colonne, et iv) le refoulement du compresseur est relié à l'entrée de la turbine ou d'au moins une des première et deuxième turbines à travers une conduite de courtcircuitage et un point d'arrivée (A) qui permet d'envoyer de l'air du compresseur à la turbine ou une des turbines sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième partie de l'air est envoyée à un clapet de retenue (CL3) en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur et éventuellement en amont du point de division pour le cas avec deux turbines, le clapet servant à empêcher l'air de passer dans le sens contraire de celui de l'opération normale et d'arriver depuis le point d'arrivée dans l'échangeur, étant disposé sur une conduite entre le point d'arrivée et l'échangeur.Process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation in which: i) compressed and purified air is cooled in a heat exchanger (E), a first portion (19) of the air is compressed to an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger in a compressor (C2) and returned at the heat exchanger where it cools, the first part of the air is liquefied and is sent to at least a first column (K1) of a double column, the double column comprising the first column and a second column (K2), the second column operating at a lower pressure than the first column, ii) oxygen and nitrogen enriched liquids are supplied from the first column to the second column, an oxygen enriched fluid (31) is withdrawn from the second column and a nitrogen enriched fluid (33) is withdrawn from the second column; head of the second column and warms up in the heat exchanger, iii) a second portion of the air exits the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and optionally is then divided into a first and a second fraction at a dividing point (D), the second part of the air or at least a part of the first fraction (9) is expanded in a first turbine (T2) and sent to the first column, optionally at least a part of the second fraction is expanded in a second turbine (T1) and sent in the first column, and iv) the discharge of the compressor is connected to the inlet of the turbine or at least one of the first and second turbines through a short-circuiting conduit and an end point (A) which makes it possible to send air from the compressor to the turbine or one of the turbines without going through the heat exchanger, characterized in that the second part of the air is sent to a check valve (CL3) downstream of the heat exchanger and possibly upstream of the dividing point for the case with two turbines, the valve serving to prevent the 'air to go in the opposite direction to that of the normal operation and to arrive from the point of arrival in the exchanger, being disposed on a pipe between the point of arrival and the exchanger. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel pendant le démarrage, on envoie de l'air du compresseur (C2) à la turbine (T1) ou une des turbines en passant par le point d'arrivée mais sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, l'air étant refoulé par le clapet de retenue (CL3).A method according to claim 1 wherein during start-up, air is sent from the compressor (C2) to the turbine (T1) or one of the turbines through the end point but without passing through the heat exchanger, the air being discharged by the check valve (CL3). Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction est détendue dans la deuxième turbine (T2) et envoyée à la première colonne, l'au moins une partie de la première fraction détendue dans la première turbine (T2) et l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction détendue dans la deuxième turbine (T1) sont mélangées à un point de mélange et ensuite envoyées comme un seul débit à la première colonne.A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least a portion of the second fraction is expanded in the second turbine (T2) and sent to the first column, the at least a portion of the first fraction expanded in the first turbine (T2) and the at least a portion of the second fraction expanded in the second turbine (T1) are mixed at a mixing point and then sent as a single flow to the first column. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel une partie (11, 15) de la première et/ou de la deuxième fraction n'est pas détendue dans une turbine mais dans une vanne (V7) et ensuite est envoyée au système de colonnes.A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a portion (11, 15) of the first and / or second fraction is not expanded in a turbine but in a valve (V7) and then sent to the column system. Procédé selon les revendications 2 et 3 dans lequel la partie de la première et/ou deuxième fraction détendue dans la vanne (V7) est mélangée avec le seul débit (13) envoyé à la première colonne en aval du point de mélange.The method of claims 2 and 3 wherein the portion of the first and / or second fraction expanded in the valve (V7) is mixed with the single flow rate (13) fed to the first column downstream of the mixing point. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le compresseur (C2) est entrainé par la première ou la deuxième turbine.Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the compressor (C2) is driven by the first or the second turbine. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel la température d'entrée du compresseur est inférieure à 0°C, voire inférieure à -50°C.Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the inlet temperature of the compressor is less than 0 ° C, or even lower than -50 ° C. Appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant un échangeur de chaleur (E), une double colonne de séparation comprenant une première colonne et une deuxième colonne (K1, K2), la deuxième colonne fonctionnant à plus basse pression que la première colonne, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air comprimé et épuré se refroidir dans l'échangeur de chaleur, un compresseur (C2), des moyens pour soutirer une première partie à un point intermédiaire (P) de l'échangeur de chaleur de l'air à une température intermédiaire et pour l'envoyer au compresseur, des moyens pour renvoyer de l'air comprimé dans le compresseur dans l'échangeur de chaleur où il se refroidit, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air liquéfiée à au moins la première colonne, des moyens pour envoyer des liquides enrichis en oxygène et en azote de la première colonne vers la deuxième colonne, des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en oxygène en cuve de la deuxième colonne, des moyens pour soutirer un fluide enrichi en azote de la tête de la deuxième colonne et des moyens pour envoyer le fluide enrichi en azote se réchauffer dans l'échangeur de chaleur, une conduite de soutirage (8) pour sortir une deuxième partie de l'air de l'échangeur de chaleur à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et à un point intermédiaire (P) de l'échangeur de chaleur, éventuellement des moyens pour diviser la deuxième partie en une première et une deuxième fractions à un point de division (D), une première turbine (T2) et éventuellement une deuxième turbine (T1),des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie de la première fraction se détendre dans la première turbine et ensuite à la première colonne, éventuellement des moyens pour envoyer au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction se détendre dans la deuxième turbine et ensuite à la première colonne et des moyens (23, V3, CL2) pour envoyer de l'air du refoulement du compresseur à une entrée de la turbine ou d'une des turbines sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, ces moyens étant reliés à un point d'arrivée (A) caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un clapet de retenue (CL3) disposé sur la conduite de soutirage (8) en aval de l'échangeur de chaleur et éventuellement en amont du point de division, le clapet étant disposé sur une conduite entre le point d'arrivée et l'échangeur et étant capable d'empêcher l'arrivée d'air depuis le point d'arrivée vers l'échangeur.Cryogenic distillation air separation apparatus comprising a heat exchanger (E), a double separation column comprising a first column and a second column (K1, K2), the second column operating at a lower pressure than the first column, means for supplying compressed and purified air to cool in the heat exchanger, a compressor (C2), means for withdrawing a first portion at an intermediate point (P) from the air heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature and for sending it to the compressor, means for returning compressed air into the compressor in the heat exchanger where it cools, means for sending liquefied air to at least the first column means for sending oxygen and nitrogen-enriched liquids from the first column to the second column, means for withdrawing an oxygen-enriched fluid in the bottom of the second column, p-means, for withdrawing a nitrogen-enriched fluid from the head of the second column and means for sending the nitrogen-enriched fluid to heat in the heat exchanger, a withdrawal line (8) for discharging a second portion of the air from the the heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and at an intermediate point (P) of the heat exchanger, optionally means for dividing the second portion into first and second fractions at a dividing point (D). ), a first turbine (T2) and optionally a second turbine (T1), means for sending at least a portion of the first fraction to be released in the first turbine and then to the first column, optionally means for sending at least one part of the second fraction to relax in the second turbine and then to the first column and means (23, V3, CL2) to send air from the discharge of the compressor to an inlet of the turbine or one of the turbines without passing through the heat exchanger, these means being connected to an end point (A) characterized in that it comprises a check valve (CL3) disposed on the withdrawal pipe (8). ) downstream of the heat exchanger and possibly upstream of the dividing point, the valve being disposed on a pipe between the end point and the exchanger and being able to prevent the air from being introduced from the point arrival to the exchanger. Appareil selon la revendication 8 comprenant des moyens pour mélanger l'au moins une partie de la première fraction détendue dans la première turbine (T2) et l'au moins une partie de la deuxième fraction détendue dans la deuxième turbine (T1) à un point de mélange (M) et des moyens pour les envoyer comme un seul débit (13) à la première colonne.Apparatus according to claim 8 comprising means for mixing the at least a portion of the first fraction expanded in the first turbine (T2) and the at least a portion of the second fraction expanded in the second turbine (T1) to a point mixture (M) and means for sending them as a single flow (13) to the first column. Appareil selon la revendication 8 ou 9 comprenant une vanne de détente (V7) reliée au clapet de retenue (CL3) à travers le point de division (D) et reliée au système de colonnes (K1, K2), de sorte que de l'air puisse passer du clapet au système de colonnes sans passer par une turbine.Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 including an expansion valve (V7) connected to the check valve (CL3) through the dividing point (D) and connected to the column system (K1, K2) so that air can pass from the valve to the column system without passing through a turbine. Appareil selon la revendication 8, 9 ou 10 comprenant une deuxième turbine (T2) dans lequel les moyens pour envoyer de l'air du refoulement du compresseur à une entrée d'une des turbines (T1, T2) sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur sont reliés au point d'arrivée (A) entre le point de division et l'entrée de la turbine (T1, T2).Apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10 comprising a second turbine (T2) in which the means for sending air from the compressor discharge to an inlet of one of the turbines (T1, T2) without passing through the heat exchanger. heat are connected to the point of arrival (A) between the dividing point and the inlet of the turbine (T1, T2). Appareil selon la revendication 11 comprenant une vanne (V19) entre le point d'arrivée (A) et le point de division (D).Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising a valve (V19) between the end point (A) and the dividing point (D). Appareil selon l'une des revendications 8 à 12 dans lequel le clapet de retenue est capable de se fermer automatiquement.Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 12 wherein the check valve is capable of automatically closing. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 8 à 13 dans lequel le compresseur (C2) est entrainé par la première ou la deuxième turbine.Apparatus according to one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the compressor (C2) is driven by the first or second turbine.
EP18186654.2A 2017-08-03 2018-07-31 Method and device for air separation by cryogenic distilling Active EP3438584B1 (en)

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FR1757497A FR3069914B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
FR1757498A FR3069916B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 METHOD FOR DEFROSTING AN AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION AND APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR BEING DEFROST BY THIS METHOD
FR1757493A FR3069913B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
FR1757495A FR3069915B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATION OF AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION

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US10794630B2 (en) 2020-10-06
EP3438586B1 (en) 2020-04-08
EP3438586A1 (en) 2019-02-06
EP3438585A3 (en) 2019-04-17
CN109387032A (en) 2019-02-26
US20190049178A1 (en) 2019-02-14
CN109387031B (en) 2021-11-02
CN109387034B (en) 2021-11-19
PL3438586T3 (en) 2020-09-07
EP3438587A1 (en) 2019-02-06
PL3438587T3 (en) 2020-09-07
US20190041129A1 (en) 2019-02-07
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US20190041130A1 (en) 2019-02-07

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