EP3438586B1 - 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
EP3438586B1
EP3438586B1 EP18186782.1A EP18186782A EP3438586B1 EP 3438586 B1 EP3438586 B1 EP 3438586B1 EP 18186782 A EP18186782 A EP 18186782A EP 3438586 B1 EP3438586 B1 EP 3438586B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
booster
booster compressor
turbine
compressor
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.)
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Application number
EP18186782.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3438586A1 (en
Inventor
Patrice Cavagne
Nicolas CHAMONTIN
Bénédicte DOS SANTOS
Laurent RICHAUME
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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Publication date
Priority claimed from FR1757495A external-priority patent/FR3069915B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757497A external-priority patent/FR3069914B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757493A external-priority patent/FR3069913B1/en
Priority claimed from FR1757498A external-priority patent/FR3069916B1/en
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Priority to PL18186782T priority Critical patent/PL3438586T3/en
Publication of EP3438586A1 publication Critical patent/EP3438586A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3438586B1 publication Critical patent/EP3438586B1/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
    • F25J3/04006—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
    • 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
    • F25J3/04521—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
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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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    • F25J3/04048—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
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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
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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
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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
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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
    • F25J3/04066—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
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    • 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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    • 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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    • F25J3/04006—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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    • 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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    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
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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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    • F25J3/04781—Pressure changing devices, e.g. for compression, expansion, liquid pumping
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    • F25J3/04854—Safety aspects of operation
    • F25J3/0486—Safety aspects of operation of vaporisers for oxygen enriched liquids, e.g. purging of liquids
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    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
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    • F25J2240/42—Expansion without extracting work, i.e. isenthalpic throttling, e.g. JT valve, regulating valve or venturi, or isentropic nozzle, e.g. Laval the fluid being air
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    • F25J2280/00—Control of the process or apparatus
    • F25J2280/20—Control for stopping, deriming or defrosting after an emergency shut-down of the installation or for back up system
    • 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 an apparatus and a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3 respectively.
  • Such an apparatus and such a method are known from FR-A-2 851 330 . It relates in particular to devices using a supply air supercharger supplied with air coming from an intermediate level of a main supply air cooling exchanger, therefore at a temperature below 0 ° C. . This air is then boosted in the booster and returned to the main exchanger before being sent to a cryogenic distillation column.
  • part of the compressed air is returned to the compressor upstream of the compressor after refrigeration followed by expansion in a valve.
  • the present invention makes it possible to solve the problem by opening a valve to a turbine downstream of the compressor, in order to increase the flow rate in the compressor and thus leave the pumping zone.
  • an air separation apparatus by cryogenic distillation comprising an air compressor to compress all the air to be distilled, an air booster to compress at least part of the air to be distilled, an expansion turbine to receive compressed air from the compressor and possibly from the air booster, a system of cryogenic distillation columns comprising at least one column, a heat exchanger, means for sending air air from the compressor to the heat exchanger having two ends, means for taking cooled air at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger between the two ends and for sending it to the booster, means for sending the compressed air from the booster to the heat exchanger, means for sending cooled air in the heat exchanger to the turbine, means for sending expanded air in the turbine to the system columns, means for withdrawing from the column system a flow enriched in oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen, these means being connected to the heat exchanger, means for relieving the air supercharged in the booster, no means of cooling between the discharge of the booster and the means for relieving the supercharged air and means for sending air, supercharged in
  • the booster can be connected to the inlet of the turbine so that the boosted air can at least partially relax in the turbine.
  • the apparatus comprising a column system comprising a column operating at a first pressure K1 and a column operating at a second pressure K2 lower than the second pressure.
  • the columns are thermally connected through a tank reboiler of the second column heated by nitrogen from the top of the first column.
  • Non-illustrated reflux flows enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from column K1 to column K2.
  • Liquid oxygen 31 is drawn off from the tank of the second column K2 and nitrogen gas 33 is drawn off at the head of the second column.
  • LIN liquid nitrogen is sent to the top of the second column through certain phases to help keep the process cool.
  • An oxygen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E, for example liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E.
  • a nitrogen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E.
  • the apparatus comprises a first air expansion turbine T1, a second air expansion turbine T2, a first air blower C1 coupled to the first turbine and a second air blower C2 coupled to the second turbine.
  • the compressed air 1 at a pressure P from another compressor is divided into two fractions, a first fraction 3 of which is sent to the heat exchanger E without having been compressed to a pressure beyond of the pressure P.
  • a second fraction 5 is sent to the first booster C1 where it is compressed to a pressure higher than that (P) of the first fraction 3.
  • the outlet of the first booster C1 is connected to the inlet of this booster by a line 25 through a valve V8.
  • the first fraction 3 is cooled in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof and not having been compressed in the first booster is sent to the first and the second turbines through the open valve CL3 and the open valves V5, V13, V4, V19.
  • the second fraction 5 cools in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof after being compressed in the first booster C1. Then it is sent to the second booster 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 fraction 5 is compressed in the second booster 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.
  • the booster C1 approaches its pumping point, a portion of the boosted air is taken after cooling in a cooler downstream of the booster, expanded by the valve V8 and returned to the suction of the booster C1.
  • the booster C2 supplied with air 19 coming from an intermediate point of the heat exchanger E, approaches its pumping point, no part of the air boosted in the booster C2 is sent at the suction of the C2 booster.
  • the booster C2 has no refrigerant downstream of the booster. If the boosted flow in C2 falls below a threshold indicating that the pumping point is close, a portion of the boosted air is sent via line 23, expanded in valve V3 and arrives at the suction of the turbine. T2 to be relaxed and sent to distillation.
  • the threshold for detecting the approach to the pumping point is defined by defining a pressure drop threshold between two points of the booster not to be exceeded. As long as the pressure drop remains above the threshold, all the compressed air is sent to the heat exchanger to liquefy there.
  • the valve is opened allowing air to pass to the turbine.
  • the rest of the compressed air is returned to the heat exchanger E through the valve CL1 and at least partially liquefies in the exchanger before being expanded in the valve V9 and sent to the column K1.
  • the part of the air sent to the inlet of the turbine T2 can be sent to the outlet of the latter arriving in the pipe 17.
  • the air expansion valve will relax this part of the air up to a pressure slightly above the pressure of column K1.
  • Air can even be sent to the two turbines T1, T2, to the inputs of the two, to the outputs of the two or to the input of one and to the output of the other.
  • the first fraction 3 is taken out of a heat exchanger at an intermediate temperature thereof and, having not been compressed in the first booster, is sent to the second booster C2.
  • the second fraction 5 cools in the heat exchanger to an intermediate temperature thereof after being compressed in the first booster C1. Then it is sent to the first and second turbines.
  • the booster C2 supplied with air 19 coming from an intermediate point of the heat exchanger E, approaches its point of pumping, no part of the air boosted in the booster C2 is sent to the suction of the booster C2.
  • the booster C2 has no refrigerant downstream of the booster.
  • a portion of the boosted air is sent via line 23, expanded in valve V3 and arrives at the suction of the turbine. T2, without passing through the exchanger E, to be expanded in the turbine T2 and sent to distillation.
  • the threshold for detecting the approach to the pumping point is defined by defining a pressure drop threshold between two points of the booster not to be exceeded. This pressure difference is equivalent to the minimum air flow in the booster under which it must not pass. As long as the pressure drop remains above the threshold, all the compressed air is sent to the heat exchanger to liquefy there.
  • the valve is opened allowing air to pass to the turbine.
  • the rest of the compressed air is returned to the heat exchanger E through the valve CL1 and at least partially liquefies in the exchanger before being expanded in the valve V9 and sent to the column K1.
  • the part of the air sent to the inlet of the turbine T2 can be sent to the outlet of the latter arriving in the pipe 17.
  • the air expansion valve will relax this part of the air up to a pressure slightly above the pressure of column K1.
  • Air can even be sent to the two turbines T1, T2, to the inputs of the two, to the outputs of the two or to the input of one and to the output of the other.
  • An oxygen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E, for example liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E.
  • a nitrogen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E.
  • the invention also applies to the case in which the device comprises only a single air turbine coupled to a cold booster.
  • the air is sent in normal service from the cold booster to the heat exchanger.
  • the air can then pass directly into the column system after expansion or otherwise can be sent at least in part to the single turbine.
  • the device can comprise a single cold booster and a single turbine, whether or not receiving air from the cold booster outside of the pumping risk period.
  • This invention applies to any process using a cold air blower in an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation. It applies for example to the processes of FR2943408 , WO05064252 , EP2831525 , JP2015114083 , JP54162678 , EP1055894 , EP2600090 , JP2005221199 , EP2963370 , EP2963369 , FR2913760 , FR3033397 , EP2458311 , EP1782011 , EP1711765 , FR2895068 , EP2489968 , DE102011121314 , EP1014020 , FR2985305 , DE102006027650 , FR2861841 , FR3010778 , EP644388 and FR2721383 .
  • the air blower has an inlet temperature preferably between 0 ° C and -180 ° C, or even between -60 ° C and -180 ° C.

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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)

Description

La présente invention est relative à un appareil et à un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique selon les préambules des revendications 1 et 3 respectivement. Un tel appareil et un tel procédé sont connus de FR-A-2 851 330 . Elle concerne en particulier les appareils utilisant un surpresseur d'air d'alimentation alimenté par de l'air provenant d'un niveau intermédiaire d'un échangeur principal de refroidissement d'air d'alimentation, donc à une température inférieure à 0°C. Cet air est ensuite surpressé dans le surpresseur et renvoyé à l'échangeur principal avant d'être envoyé à une colonne de distillation cryogénique.The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation according to the preambles of claims 1 and 3 respectively. Such an apparatus and such a method are known from FR-A-2 851 330 . It relates in particular to devices using a supply air supercharger supplied with air coming from an intermediate level of a main supply air cooling exchanger, therefore at a temperature below 0 ° C. . This air is then boosted in the booster and returned to the main exchanger before being sent to a cryogenic distillation column.

Lorsque la différence de pression entre l'entrée et la sortie d'un compresseur devient trop élevée, des instabilités que l'on appelle décollements apparaissent au niveau des aubes du compresseur. Le décrochage aérodynamique ne permet plus de pousser l'air dans le bon sens, et la partie « haute pression » du compresseur (la sortie) se vide dans sa partie « basse pression » (l'entrée). Dans certains cas extrêmes, une inversion du sens d'écoulement peut même se produire.When the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of a compressor becomes too high, instabilities called separations appear at the compressor blades. The aerodynamic stall no longer pushes the air in the right direction, and the "high pressure" part of the compressor (the outlet) is emptied in its "low pressure" part (the inlet). In some extreme cases, a reversal of the direction of flow may even occur.

Ces grandes fluctuations de débit portent le nom de pompage, en raison de la nature de ce phénomène d'instabilité aérodynamique, qui donne naissance à des ondes longitudinales. Si, en augmentant la vitesse de rotation, la différence de pression entre l'entrée et la sortie d'un compresseur augmente, cette augmentation de pression est limitée par ce phénomène de pompage. Lorsque le rapport de compression dépasse une valeur critique, le pompage apparaît et l'augmentation de la vitesse de rotation du compresseur n'influera presque plus sur le rapport de compression.These large flow fluctuations are called pumping, due to the nature of this phenomenon of aerodynamic instability, which gives rise to longitudinal waves. If, by increasing the speed of rotation, the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet of a compressor increases, this increase in pressure is limited by this pumping phenomenon. When the compression ratio exceeds a critical value, pumping occurs and the increase in the speed of rotation of the compressor will have almost no influence on the compression ratio.

Si ce phénomène nivelle les performances des compresseurs, il est également parfois très destructeur pour les compresseurs.If this phenomenon levels the performance of the compressors, it is also sometimes very destructive for the compressors.

Généralement quand l'approche du pompage est détectée, on renvoie une partie de l'air comprimé dans le compresseur en amont du compresseur après réfrigération suivie de détente dans une vanne.Generally when the approach to pumping is detected, part of the compressed air is returned to the compressor upstream of the compressor after refrigeration followed by expansion in a valve.

Dans le cas d'un surpresseur froid, dans un but de réduire les coûts, il est souhaitable de supprimer le réfrigérant en aval de la surpression et en amont de l'échangeur de chaleur. Un tel appareil est connu de FR-A-2851330 .In the case of a cold booster, in order to reduce costs, it is desirable to remove the refrigerant downstream of the overpressure and upstream of the heat exchanger. Such an apparatus is known from FR-A-2851330 .

On pourrait envisager de renvoyer l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur froid à la propre aspiration en cas de pompage et de refroidir l'air surpressé à renvoyer à l'aspiration dans des passages dédiés de l'échangeur de chaleur, mais cette solution risque de coûter cher en compliquant l'échangeur.One could consider returning the compressed air in the cold booster to the own suction in case of pumping and cooling the pressurized air to return to the suction in dedicated passages of the heat exchanger, but this solution risks be expensive by complicating the exchanger.

La présente invention permet de résoudre le problème en ouvrant une vanne vers une turbine en aval du compresseur, afin d'augmenter le débit dans le compresseur et ainsi sortir de la zone de pompage.The present invention makes it possible to solve the problem by opening a valve to a turbine downstream of the compressor, in order to increase the flow rate in the compressor and thus leave the pumping zone.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant un compresseur d'air pour comprimer tout l'air à distiller, un surpresseur d'air pour comprimer au moins une partie de l'air à distiller, une turbine de détente pour recevoir de l'air comprimé provenant du compresseur et éventuellement du surpresseur d'air, un système de colonnes de distillation cryogénique comprenant au moins une colonne, un échangeur de chaleur, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air du compresseur à l'échangeur de chaleur ayant deux extrémités, des moyens pour prélever de l'air refroidi à un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur entre les deux extrémités et pour l'envoyer au surpresseur, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air surpressé du surpresseur à l'échangeur de chaleur, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur à la turbine, des moyens pour envoyer de l'air détendu dans la turbine au système de colonnes, des moyens pour soutirer du système de colonnes un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote, ces moyens étant reliés à l'échangeur de chaleur, des moyens pour détendre l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur, aucun moyen de refroidissement entre le refoulement du surpresseur et les moyens pour détendre l'air surpressé et des moyens pour envoyer de l'air, surpressé dans le surpresseur et détendu par les moyens de détente, en amont ou en aval de la turbine, sans avoir été refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur après avoir été surpressé, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens pour détecter la perte de charge ou le débit entre deux points du surpresseur ainsi que des moyens pour ouvrir les moyens de détente, par exemple une vanne, pour envoyer l'air surpressé en amont ou en aval de la turbine sans passer par l'échangeur de chaleur, afin d'augmenter le débit dans le surpresseur, uniquement si la perte de charge ou du débit du surpresseur dépasse un seuil indiquant que le pompage est proche.According to an object of the invention, there is provided an air separation apparatus by cryogenic distillation comprising an air compressor to compress all the air to be distilled, an air booster to compress at least part of the air to be distilled, an expansion turbine to receive compressed air from the compressor and possibly from the air booster, a system of cryogenic distillation columns comprising at least one column, a heat exchanger, means for sending air air from the compressor to the heat exchanger having two ends, means for taking cooled air at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger between the two ends and for sending it to the booster, means for sending the compressed air from the booster to the heat exchanger, means for sending cooled air in the heat exchanger to the turbine, means for sending expanded air in the turbine to the system columns, means for withdrawing from the column system a flow enriched in oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen, these means being connected to the heat exchanger, means for relieving the air supercharged in the booster, no means of cooling between the discharge of the booster and the means for relieving the supercharged air and means for sending air, supercharged in the booster and expanded by the expansion means, upstream or downstream of the turbine, without having been cooled in the heat exchanger after being boosted, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting the pressure drop or the flow between two points of the booster as well as means to open the expansion means, for example a valve, to send the supercharged air upstream or downstream of the turbine without passing through the heat exchanger, in order to increase the flow rate in the supercharger, only if the loss of charge or flow rate of the booster exceeds a threshold indicating that pumping is close.

Le surpresseur peut être relié à l'entrée de la turbine de sorte que l'air surpressé puisse se détendre au moins en partie dans la turbine.The booster can be connected to the inlet of the turbine so that the boosted air can at least partially relax in the turbine.

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel on comprime tout l'air à distiller dans un compresseur d'air, on surpresse au moins une partie de l'air à distiller comprimé dans le compresseur d'air dans un surpresseur d'air, on détend dans au moins une turbine de détente de l'air comprimé provenant du compresseur et éventuellement du surpresseur d'air, on sépare de l'air comprimé refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur dans un système de colonnes de distillation cryogénique comprenant au moins une colonne, on prélève de l'air refroidi à un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur entre ses deux extrémités pour envoyer au surpresseur, on envoie de l'air surpressé du surpresseur à l'échangeur de chaleur, on envoie de l'air refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur à la turbine, on envoie de l'air détendu dans la turbine au système de colonnes, on soutire du système de colonnes un débit enrichi en oxygène et un débit enrichi en azote et on réchauffe ces débits dans l'échangeur de chaleur caractérisé en ce que :

  1. i) si la perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un seuil indiquant que le point de pompage est proche ou
  2. ii) un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un débit minimal du surpresseur indiquant que le point de pompage est proche,
on détend une partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur sans l'avoir refroidie entre le surpresseur et la détente et on envoie l'air surpressé détendu en amont ou en aval de l'au moins une turbine, sans avoir été refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur après avoir été surpressé et pour les cas i) et ii) on augmente le débit dans le surpresseur pour sortir de la zone de pompage.According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of air separation by cryogenic distillation in which all the air to be distilled is compressed in an air compressor, at least part of the air is pressurized to compressed distiller in the air compressor in an air booster, the compressed air from the compressor and possibly the air booster is expanded in at least one expansion turbine, the compressed air cooled in a heat exchanger in a system of cryogenic distillation columns comprising at least one column, air cooled is taken from an intermediate point of the heat exchanger between its two ends to send to the booster, air is boosted from the booster to the heat exchanger, we send cooled air in the heat exchanger to the turbine, we send expanded air in the turbine to the column system, we draw a thimble from the column system bit enriched in oxygen and a flow enriched in nitrogen and these flows are heated in the heat exchanger characterized in that:
  1. i) if the pressure drop between two points of the booster falls below a threshold indicating that the pumping point is close or
  2. ii) a flow rate of the booster passes below a minimum flow rate of the booster indicating that the pumping point is close,
part of the compressed air is expanded in the booster without having cooled it between the booster and the expansion valve and the expanded compressed air is sent upstream or downstream of the at least one turbine, without having been cooled in the 'heat exchanger after being boosted and for cases i) and ii) increasing the flow rate in the booster to exit the pumping area.

Selon d'autres aspects facultatifs :

  • si, de préférence uniquement si, la perte de charge entre les deux points est au dessus du seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe au-dessus du débit minimal du surpresseur, on envoie tout l'air du surpresseur à l'échangeur de chaleur pour se refroidir.
  • si la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur passe en-dessous du seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous du débit minimal du surpresseur, on n'envoie aucune partie de l'air surpressé en amont du surpresseur.
  • de l'air surpressé et détendu est détendu dans la turbine si la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous du seuil (et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous du débit minimal du surpresseur et de préférence aucun débit d'air provenant du surpresseur n'est détendu dans la turbine si la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur est au-dessus du seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe au-dessus du débit minimal.
  • si la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous du seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous du débit minimal, l'air surpressé est détendu jusqu'à la pression d'une colonne du système de colonnes, est mélangé avec l'air provenant de la turbine et est envoyé à la colonne.
  • le procédé de séparation s'effectue dans un appareil de séparation par distillation cryogénique.
  • si la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur est au-dessus du seuil ou débit du surpresseur est au-dessus du débit minimal, on envoie tout l'air surpressé se refroidir dans l'échangeur de chaleur.
  • l'air surpressé détendu envoyé à la turbine est envoyé à une turbine couplée au surpresseur dont provient l'air.
  • l'air surpressé détendu envoyé à la turbine est envoyé à une turbine recevant de l'air, voire tout l'air qu'elle détend, du surpresseur.
  • la turbine reçoit de l'air du surpresseur uniquement dans le cas où la perte de charge entre les deux points du surpresseur est en dessous du seuil.
  • si la perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un débit minimal du surpresseur, on détend une partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur dans des moyens de détente autre qu'une turbine.
  • si la perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un débit minimal du surpresseur, on détend une partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur dans une vanne.
  • si la perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un seuil et/ou un débit du surpresseur passe en dessous d'un débit minimal du surpresseur, on détend une partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur jusqu'à une pression d'entrée ou de sortie d'une turbine de l'appareil, voire jusqu'à la pression d'une colonne de l'appareil.
  • le surpresseur d'air a une température d'entrée entre 0°C et -180°C, voire entre -60°C et -180°C.
According to other optional aspects:
  • if, preferably only if, the pressure drop between the two points is above the threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes above the minimum flow rate of the booster, all the air from the booster is sent to the heat exchanger heat to cool.
  • if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster passes below the threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes below the minimum flow rate of the booster, no part of the boosted air is sent upstream of the booster.
  • supercharged and expanded air is expanded in the turbine if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster passes below the threshold (and / or a flow rate of the booster passes below the minimum flow rate of the booster and preferably no flow d air from the booster is only expanded in the turbine if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster is above the threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes above the minimum flow rate.
  • if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster passes below the threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes below the minimum flow rate, the compressed air is expanded until the pressure of a column of the column system, is mixed with the air from the turbine and is sent to the column.
  • the separation process is carried out in a separation apparatus by cryogenic distillation.
  • if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster is above the threshold or the flow rate of the booster is above the minimum flow rate, all the compressed air is sent to cool in the heat exchanger.
  • the expanded compressed air sent to the turbine is sent to a turbine coupled to the booster from which the air comes.
  • the expanded compressed air sent to the turbine is sent to a turbine receiving air, or even all the air it expands, from the booster.
  • the turbine receives air from the booster only if the pressure drop between the two points of the booster is below the threshold.
  • if the pressure drop between two points of the booster passes below a threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes below a minimum flow rate of the booster, part of the air boosted in the booster is expanded in means other than a turbine.
  • if the pressure drop between two points of the booster passes below a threshold and / or a flow rate of the booster passes below a minimum flow rate of the booster, part of the air boosted in the booster is expanded in a valve .
  • if the pressure drop between two points of the booster falls below a threshold and / or a flow of the booster falls below a minimum flow of the booster, part of the air boosted in the booster is expanded to an inlet or outlet pressure of a turbine of the device, or even up to the pressure of a column of the device.
  • the air blower has an inlet temperature between 0 ° C and -180 ° C, or even between -60 ° C and -180 ° C.

L'invention sera décrite de manière plus détaillée 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 deuxième 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 LIN est envoyé en tête de la deuxième colonne par certaines phases pour aider à tenir le procédé en froid. Un fluide riche en oxygène est envoyé se réchauffer à l'échangeur E, par exemple l'oxygène liquide 31 peut se vaporiser dans l'échangeur de chaleur E. Un fluide riche en azote est envoyé se réchauffer à l'échangeur 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 lower than the second pressure. The columns are thermally connected through a tank reboiler of the second column heated by nitrogen from the top of the first column. Non-illustrated reflux flows enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are sent from column K1 to column K2. Liquid oxygen 31 is drawn off from the tank of the second column K2 and nitrogen gas 33 is drawn off at the head of the second column. LIN liquid nitrogen is sent to the top of the second column through certain phases to help keep the process cool. An oxygen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E, for example liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E. A nitrogen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E.

L'appareil comprend une première turbine de détente d'air T1, une deuxième turbine de détente d'air T2, un premier surpresseur d'air C1 couplé à la première turbine et un deuxième surpresseur d'air C2 couplé à la deuxième turbine.The apparatus comprises a first air expansion turbine T1, a second air expansion turbine T2, a first air blower C1 coupled to the first turbine and a second air blower C2 coupled to the second turbine.

L'air comprimé 1 à une pression P provenant d'un autre compresseur (non-illustré) est divisé en deux fractions, dont une première fraction 3 est envoyée à l'échangeur de chaleur E sans avoir été comprimé à une pression au-delà de la pression P. Une deuxième fraction 5 est envoyée au premier surpresseur C1 où elle est comprimée à une pression supérieure à celle (P) de la première fraction 3. La sortie du premier surpresseur C1 est reliée à l'entrée de ce surpresseur par une conduite 25 à travers une vanne V8.The compressed air 1 at a pressure P from another compressor (not shown) is divided into two fractions, a first fraction 3 of which is sent to the heat exchanger E without having been compressed to a pressure beyond of the pressure P. A second fraction 5 is sent to the first booster C1 where it is compressed to a pressure higher than that (P) of the first fraction 3. The outlet of the first booster C1 is connected to the inlet of this booster by a line 25 through a valve V8.

Selon une première variante, la première fraction 3 est refroidie dans l'échangeur de chaleur E jusqu' à une température intermédiaire de celui-ci et n'ayant pas été comprimée dans le premier surpresseur est envoyée vers la première et la deuxième turbines à travers le clapet ouvert CL3 et les vannes ouvertes V5, V13, V4, V19.According to a first variant, the first fraction 3 is cooled in the heat exchanger E to an intermediate temperature thereof and not having been compressed in the first booster is sent to the first and the second turbines through the open valve CL3 and the open valves V5, V13, V4, V19.

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

Si le surpresseur C1 s'approche de son point de pompage, une partie de l'air surpressé est prise après refroidissement dans un refroidisseur en aval du surpresseur, détendue par la vanne V8 et renvoyée à l'aspiration du surpresseur C1.If the booster C1 approaches its pumping point, a portion of the boosted air is taken after cooling in a cooler downstream of the booster, expanded by the valve V8 and returned to the suction of the booster C1.

Si le surpresseur C2, alimenté par de l'air 19 provenant d'un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur E, s'approche de son point de pompage, aucune partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur C2 n'est envoyée à l'aspiration du surpresseur C2. Le surpresseur C2 n'a pas de réfrigérant en aval du surpresseur. Si le débit surpressé en C2 passe en dessous d'un seuil indiquant que le point de pompage est proche, une partie de l'air surpressé est envoyée par la conduite 23, détendue dans la vanne V3 et arrive à l'aspiration de la turbine T2 pour y être détendue et envoyée à la distillation.If the booster C2, supplied with air 19 coming from an intermediate point of the heat exchanger E, approaches its pumping point, no part of the air boosted in the booster C2 is sent at the suction of the C2 booster. The booster C2 has no refrigerant downstream of the booster. If the boosted flow in C2 falls below a threshold indicating that the pumping point is close, a portion of the boosted air is sent via line 23, expanded in valve V3 and arrives at the suction of the turbine. T2 to be relaxed and sent to distillation.

Le seuil de détection de l'approche du point de pompage est défini en définissant un seuil de perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur à ne pas dépasser. Tant que la perte de charge reste au-dessus du seuil, on envoie tout l'air surpressé à l'échangeur de chaleur pour y liquéfier.The threshold for detecting the approach to the pumping point is defined by defining a pressure drop threshold between two points of the booster not to be exceeded. As long as the pressure drop remains above the threshold, all the compressed air is sent to the heat exchanger to liquefy there.

Une fois que la perte de charge a atteint le seuil, on ouvre la vanne permettant à l'air de passer vers la turbine.Once the pressure drop has reached the threshold, the valve is opened allowing air to pass to the turbine.

Le reste de l'air surpressé est renvoyé à l'échangeur de chaleur E à travers le clapet CL1 et se liquéfie au moins partiellement dans l'échangeur avant d'être détendu dans la vanne V9 et envoyé à la colonne K1.The rest of the compressed air is returned to the heat exchanger E through the valve CL1 and at least partially liquefies in the exchanger before being expanded in the valve V9 and sent to the column K1.

Alternativement, la partie de l'air envoyée à l'entrée de la turbine T2 peut être envoyée à la sortie de celle-ci arrivant dans la conduite 17. Dans ce cas, la vanne de détente de l'air détendra cette partie de l'air jusqu' à une pression légèrement au-dessus de la pression de la colonne K1.Alternatively, the part of the air sent to the inlet of the turbine T2 can be sent to the outlet of the latter arriving in the pipe 17. In this case, the air expansion valve will relax this part of the air up to a pressure slightly above the pressure of column K1.

Il est également possible d'envoyer la partie de l'air non pas vers la turbine T2 mais vers l'entrée ou la sortie de la turbine T1. L'air peut même être envoyé aux deux turbines T1, T2, aux entrées des deux, aux sorties des deux ou à l'entrée d'une et à la sortie de l'autre.It is also possible to send the air part not to the turbine T2 but to the inlet or the outlet of the turbine T1. Air can even be sent to the two turbines T1, T2, to the inputs of the two, to the outputs of the two or to the input of one and to the output of the other.

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

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

Dans ce cas aussi si le surpresseur C2, alimenté par de l'air 19 provenant d'un point intermédiaire de l'échangeur de chaleur E, s'approche de son point de pompage, aucune partie de l'air surpressé dans le surpresseur C2 n'est envoyée à l'aspiration du surpresseur C2. Le surpresseur C2 n'a pas de réfrigérant en aval du surpresseur.In this case also if the booster C2, supplied with air 19 coming from an intermediate point of the heat exchanger E, approaches its point of pumping, no part of the air boosted in the booster C2 is sent to the suction of the booster C2. The booster C2 has no refrigerant downstream of the booster.

Si le débit surpressé en C2 passe en dessous d'un seuil indiquant que le point de pompage est proche, une partie de l'air surpressé est envoyée par la conduite 23, détendue dans la vanne V3 et arrive à l'aspiration de la turbine T2, sans passer par l'échangeur E, pour être détendue dans la turbine T2 et envoyée à la distillation.If the boosted flow in C2 falls below a threshold indicating that the pumping point is close, a portion of the boosted air is sent via line 23, expanded in valve V3 and arrives at the suction of the turbine. T2, without passing through the exchanger E, to be expanded in the turbine T2 and sent to distillation.

Le seuil de détection de l'approche du point de pompage est défini en définissant un seuil de perte de charge entre deux points du surpresseur à ne pas dépasser. Cette différence de pression est équivalente au débit minimal d'air dans le surpresseur sous lequel il ne faut pas passer. Tant que la perte de charge reste au-dessus du seuil, on envoie tout l'air surpressé à l'échangeur de chaleur pour y liquéfier.The threshold for detecting the approach to the pumping point is defined by defining a pressure drop threshold between two points of the booster not to be exceeded. This pressure difference is equivalent to the minimum air flow in the booster under which it must not pass. As long as the pressure drop remains above the threshold, all the compressed air is sent to the heat exchanger to liquefy there.

Une fois que la perte de charge passe sous le seuil, on ouvre la vanne permettant à l'air de passer vers la turbine.Once the pressure drop falls below the threshold, the valve is opened allowing air to pass to the turbine.

Il est aussi possible de déclencher l'ouverture de la vanne si le débit d'air dans le surpresseur passe en dessous d'un seuil.It is also possible to trigger the opening of the valve if the air flow in the booster falls below a threshold.

Le reste de l'air surpressé est renvoyé à l'échangeur de chaleur E à travers le clapet CL1 et se liquéfie au moins partiellement dans l'échangeur avant d'être détendu dans la vanne V9 et envoyé à la colonne K1.The rest of the compressed air is returned to the heat exchanger E through the valve CL1 and at least partially liquefies in the exchanger before being expanded in the valve V9 and sent to the column K1.

Alternativement, la partie de l'air envoyée à l'entrée de la turbine T2 peut être envoyée à la sortie de celle-ci arrivant dans la conduite 17. Dans ce cas, la vanne de détente de l'air détendra cette partie de l'air jusqu' à une pression légèrement au-dessus de la pression de la colonne K1.Alternatively, the part of the air sent to the inlet of the turbine T2 can be sent to the outlet of the latter arriving in the pipe 17. In this case, the air expansion valve will relax this part of the air up to a pressure slightly above the pressure of column K1.

Il est également possible d'envoyer la partie de l'air non pas vers la turbine T2 mais vers l'entrée ou la sortie de la turbine T1. L'air peut même être envoyé aux deux turbines T1, T2, aux entrées des deux, aux sorties des deux ou à l'entrée d'une et à la sortie de l'autre.It is also possible to send the air part not to the turbine T2 but to the inlet or the outlet of the turbine T1. Air can even be sent to the two turbines T1, T2, to the inputs of the two, to the outputs of the two or to the input of one and to the output of the other.

Un fluide riche en oxygène est envoyé se réchauffer à l'échangeur E, par exemple l'oxygène liquide 31 peut se vaporiser dans l'échangeur de chaleur E. Un fluide riche en azote est envoyé se réchauffer à l'échangeur E.An oxygen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E, for example liquid oxygen 31 can vaporize in the heat exchanger E. A nitrogen-rich fluid is sent to heat up at the exchanger E.

L'invention s'applique également au cas dans lequel l'appareil ne comprend qu'une seule turbine d'air couplée à un surpresseur froid.The invention also applies to the case in which the device comprises only a single air turbine coupled to a cold booster.

Dans ce cas, l'air est envoyé en service normal du surpresseur 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.In this case, the air is sent in normal service from the cold booster to the heat exchanger. The air can then pass directly into the column system after expansion or otherwise can be sent at least in part to the single turbine.

Dans le cas où une partie de l'air surpressé se liquéfie dans l'échangeur de chaleur et est détendu dans une vanne V9 en amont du système de colonnes, quand le débit d'air surpressé dans le surpresseur C1 passe en dessous d'un seuil indiquant l'approche du pompage, on peut augmenter le débit de liquide passant dans la vanne V9. Cette vanne sera alors dimensionnée sur ce cas de fonctionnement.In the case where part of the compressed air is liquefied in the heat exchanger and is expanded in a valve V9 upstream of the column system, when the flow of compressed air in the C1 booster passes below a threshold indicating the approach to pumping, the liquid flow passing through the valve V9 can be increased. This valve will then be sized for this operating case.

Il sera compris que l'appareil peut comprendre un seul surpresseur froid et une seule turbine, recevant ou non de l'air du surpresseur froid en dehors de période de risque de pompage.It will be understood that the device can comprise a single cold booster and a single turbine, whether or not receiving air from the cold booster outside of the pumping risk period.

Cette invention s'applique à tout procédé utilisant un surpresseur froid d'air dans un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique. Elle s'applique par exemple aux procédés de FR2943408 , WO05064252 , EP2831525 , JP2015114083 , JP54162678 , EP1055894 , EP2600090 , JP2005221199 , EP2963370 , EP2963369 , FR2913760 , FR3033397 , EP2458311 , EP1782011 , EP1711765 , FR2895068 , EP2489968 , DE102011121314 , EP1014020 , FR2985305 , DE102006027650 , FR2861841 , FR3010778 , EP644388 et FR2721383 .This invention applies to any process using a cold air blower in an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation. It applies for example to the processes of FR2943408 , WO05064252 , EP2831525 , JP2015114083 , JP54162678 , EP1055894 , EP2600090 , JP2005221199 , EP2963370 , EP2963369 , FR2913760 , FR3033397 , EP2458311 , EP1782011 , EP1711765 , FR2895068 , EP2489968 , DE102011121314 , EP1014020 , FR2985305 , DE102006027650 , FR2861841 , FR3010778 , EP644388 and FR2721383 .

Le surpresseur d'air a une température d'entrée de préférence entre 0°C et -180°C, voire entre -60°C et -180°C.The air blower has an inlet temperature preferably between 0 ° C and -180 ° C, or even between -60 ° C and -180 ° C.

Claims (11)

  1. Device for air separation by cryogenic distillation comprising an air compressor to compress all the air to be distilled, an air booster compressor (C2) for compressing at least one portion of the air to be distilled, an expansion turbine (T1, T2) for receiving compressed air coming from the compressor and optionally from the air booster compressor, a system of cryogenic distillation columns comprising at least one column (K1, K2), a heat exchanger (E), means for sending air from the compressor to the heat exchanger having two ends, means (19) for withdrawing cooled air at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger between the two ends and for sending it to the booster compressor, means (CL1, 21) for sending the booster compressed air from the booster compressor to the heat exchanger, means for sending cooled air (9, 11) in the heat exchanger to the turbine, means (17, 13) for sending expanded air in the turbine to the system of columns, means for withdrawing from the system of columns a oxygen-enriched flow (31) and a nitrogen-enriched flow (33), these means being connected to the heat exchanger of the means (V3) to expand the booster compressed air in the booster compressor, no means of cooling between the backflow of the booster compressor and the means for expanding the booster compressed air and means for sending air, booster compressed in the booster compressor and expanded by the means for expanding, upstream or downstream from the turbine, without having been cooled in the heat exchanger after having been booster compressed characterised in that it comprises means for detecting the loss of pressure or the flow rate between two points of the booster compressor (C2) as well as means for opening the means for expanding (V3) in order to send the booster compressed air upstream or downstream from the turbine without passing through the heat exchanger, so as to increase the flow rate in the booster compressor, only if the loss of pressure or the flow rate of the booster compressor exceeds a threshold indicating that pumping is close.
  2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the booster compressor (C2) is connected to the inlet of the turbine (T2) in such a way that the booster compressed air can be expanded at least partially in the turbine.
  3. Method for air separation by cryogenic distillation wherein all the air to be distilled is compressed in an air compressor, at least one portion of the air to be distilled compressed in the air compressor is booster compressed in an air booster compressor (C2), in at least one expansion turbine (T2, T1) compressed air is expanded coming from the compressor and optionally from the air booster compressor, compressed air cooled in a heat exchanger (E) is separated in a system of cryogenic distillation columns comprising at least one column (K1, K2), cooled air is withdrawn at an intermediate point of the heat exchanger between the two ends thereof to be sent to the booster compressor, booster compressed air is sent from the booster compressor to the heat exchanger, air cooled in the heat exchanger is sent to the at least one turbine, air expanded in the at least one turbine is sent to the system of columns, an oxygen-enriched flow (31) and a nitrogen-enriched flow (33) is withdrawn from the system of columns and these flows are heated in the heat exchanger characterised in that:
    i) if the loss of pressure between two points of the booster compressor passes below a threshold indicating that the point of pumping is close or
    ii) if the flow rate of the booster compressor passes below a minimum flow rate of the booster compressor indicating that the point of pumping is close,
    a portion of the air booster compressed in the booster compressor is expanded without having cooled it between the booster compressor and the expansion and expanded booster compressed air is sent upstream or downstream from the at least one turbine, without having been cooled in the heat exchanger after having been booster compressed and for cases i) and ii) the flow rate is increased in the booster compressor in order to exit the pumping zone.
  4. Method according to claim 3 wherein if, preferably only if, the loss of pressure between the two points is above the threshold and/or a flow rate of the booster compressor (C2) is above the minimum flow rate of the booster compressor, all the air of the booster compressor is sent to the heat exchanger (E) to be cooled.
  5. Method according to claim 3 wherein if the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor passes below the threshold and/or a flow rate of the booster compressor passes below the minimum flow rate of the booster compressor, no portion of the booster compressed air is sent upstream from the booster compressor.
  6. Method according to claim 3 or 4 wherein booster compressed and expanded air is expanded in the turbine (T2) if the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor (C2) passes below the threshold and/or a flow rate of the booster compressor passes below the minimum flow rate of the booster compressor and preferably no flow of air coming from the booster compressor is expanded in the turbine if the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor is above the threshold and/or a flow rate of the booster compressor passes above the minimum flow rate.
  7. Method according to claim 3 or 4 wherein if the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor (C2) passes below the threshold and/or a flow rate of the booster compressor passes below the minimum flow rate, the booster compressed air is expanded to the pressure of a column (K1, K2) of the system of columns, is mixed with the air coming from the turbine (T2) and is sent to the column.
  8. Method according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein if the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor is above the threshold, all of the booster compressed air is sent to be cooled in the heat exchanger (E).
  9. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6 or 8 wherein the expanded booster compressed air sent to the turbine (T2) is sent to a turbine coupled to the booster compressor from which the air comes.
  10. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6 or 8 wherein the expanded booster compressed air sent to the turbine is sent to a turbine (T2) that receives all the air that it expands, from the booster compressor (C2).
  11. Method according to one of claims 3 to 8 wherein the turbine (T2) receives air from the booster compressor only in the case where the loss of pressure between the two points of the booster compressor is below the threshold.
EP18186782.1A 2017-08-03 2018-08-01 Method and device for air separation by cryogenic distilling Active EP3438586B1 (en)

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FR1757495A FR3069915B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATION OF AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
FR1757497A FR3069914B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2017-08-03 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING AIR BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
FR1757493A FR3069913B1 (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

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EP18186782.1A Active EP3438586B1 (en) 2017-08-03 2018-08-01 Method and device for air separation by cryogenic distilling
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US20190049178A1 (en) 2019-02-14
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CN109387031A (en) 2019-02-26
CN109387032A (en) 2019-02-26
EP3438586A1 (en) 2019-02-06
PL3438586T3 (en) 2020-09-07
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US20190049177A1 (en) 2019-02-14
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EP3438584A1 (en) 2019-02-06
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EP3438587A1 (en) 2019-02-06
EP3438584B1 (en) 2020-03-11
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US10794630B2 (en) 2020-10-06
CN109387033B (en) 2021-12-14

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