GB2385807A - An air separator having first and second distillation columns adapted so as to enable ready conversion between a Lachmann and a Claude expansion mode. - Google Patents

An air separator having first and second distillation columns adapted so as to enable ready conversion between a Lachmann and a Claude expansion mode. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2385807A
GB2385807A GB0302267A GB0302267A GB2385807A GB 2385807 A GB2385807 A GB 2385807A GB 0302267 A GB0302267 A GB 0302267A GB 0302267 A GB0302267 A GB 0302267A GB 2385807 A GB2385807 A GB 2385807A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
stream
claude
turbo
lachmann
coldbox
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0302267A
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GB0302267D0 (en
Inventor
Joseph Paul Naumivitz
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Linde LLC
Original Assignee
BOC Group Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of GB0302267D0 publication Critical patent/GB0302267D0/en
Publication of GB2385807A publication Critical patent/GB2385807A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04296—Claude expansion, i.e. expanded into the main or high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—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
    • F25J3/04787—Heat exchange, e.g. main heat exchange line; Subcooler, external reboiler-condenser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/40—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being air

Landscapes

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

Abstract

An apparatus for separating air comprises a splitter for forming first and second airstreams, a booster compressor for compressing the first airstream so as to form a third airstream, a heat exchanger which cools the second and third airstreams, a turbine for generating either a first or second turbo-expanded airstream, first and second distillation columns connected to one another in a heat transfer relationship so that liquid oxygen (LOX) is produced within the second column, the columns being adapted to receive the first and second turbo-expanded airstream respectively and a coldbox enclosing at least the heat exchanger and the pipework connecting the first and second columns are characterised in that the pipework connecting the first and second columns is adapted to enable ready conversion between a Lachmann and a Claude expansion mode by connecting the turbine to predetermined piping connections on an external face of the coldbox.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOR SEPARATION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for air separation.
In particular the present Invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for air separation, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus that facilitate reconfiguration of an air separation unit to operate in two different process modes.
Specifically, the apparatus comprises an air separation unit and main exchanger system which can be converted from a Lachmann mode of operation to a Claude mode of operation, and vice versa, without construction rework inside the coldbox.
The apparatus is defined in claim 1 The apparatus according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 is an illustration of a process flow diagram and apparatus for air separation according to a Lachmann cycle ; Figure 2 illustrates a process flow diagram and apparatus for air separation according to a Claude cycle, and Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the concept of the present invention.
Figure 1 Illustrates process flow diagram and a portion of a typical air separation plant or unit for the production of oxygen, nitrogen and/or argon. A main air compressor (MAC) 11 is used to produce a compressed air stream, e. g. , at a pressure of 5-6 atmospheres, which is fed to pre-purification units (PPU) 12 in which carbon dioxide, water, trace hydrocarbons and other condensable substances are removed
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
The air leaving the PPU 12 IS then split Into two streams One stream, a main air stream 14, comprising between about 40% to about 80% of the air volume leaving the PPU, is fed to main heat exchanger (MHE) 21 Another stream 13 is passed to booster compressor 43 to produce a boosted air stream 44 having a pressure of about 10-70 atmospheres The split ratio between the main air stream 14 and the boosted air stream 13 is a factor of a number of variables not the least of which IS the desired product mix of the air separation plant. Typically, the more liquid products desired from the plant. the more air from the PPU is directed to the booster compressor. The boosted air is also fed to the MHE The MHE internals are of standard design. and the MHE is operated in standard fashion The main air exits the MHE as saturated vaporous main air stream 15 at a temperature of about-187 C (about-280 F). The boosted air stream 44 exits the MHE as a liquid boosted air stream 42 at a temperature of less than about-187 C.
In certain air separation plant designs, main air side stream 16 is withdrawn from main air 14, and passed through the MHE The temperature of the main air side stream 16 is lowered within the MHE to about-125 C, and it is withdrawn as vaporous main air side stream from an intermediate location of the MHE. This side stream is then passed through expander 35 to lower its temperature to less than about-200 C (-300 F), and then fed as an expanded main air side stream directly into low pressure column 30 This mode of expansion is sometimes called the Lachmann expansion mode Both the vaporous main air and liquid boosted air streams 15 and 42 are then fed to high pressure column (HPC) 25 at about-187 C for separation Into an oxygenenriched liquid (or rich liquid, RL 61) and a nitrogen-enriched liquid (or poor liquid, PL 62). These streams are removed from the HPC These streams are fed to low pressure column (LPC) 30. which is typically located above and is thermally coupled with the HPC 25 via a reboiler/condenser 50 Both higher and lower pressure
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
columns 25 and 30, respectively are provided with liquid-vapour contacting elements, such as trays, structured packing, random packing and the like to bring vapour and liquid phases of the mixture to be separated into intimate contact with one another The LPC 30 produces a liquid product oxygen stream 18 and a gaseous nitrogen rich product stream 17. The purity of the liquid oxygen product stream can vary from about 95 % or less oxygen (low purity oxygen) up to and in excess of 99.9 % oxygen (high purity oxygen) The actual purity or composition of the liquid oxygen stream depends in large part upon the manner in which other parts of the air separation plant are operated.
The pressurized LOX product stream then exchanges heat with the main and boosted air streams 14 and 44 in the MHE 14, resulting in the formation of gaseous oxygen product stream, which is recovered at a pressure of about 5-70 atmospheres.
Gaseous nitrogen product stream 17 from the upper section of the LPC 30 is returned to the subcooler 20 for heat exchange with the rich liquid 61 and poor liquid 62 streams from the HPC 25. After additional heat exchange with the main and boosted air streams in the MHE 21, gaseous nitrogen product can be recovered as a final product stream at a pressure of about 1 atmosphere.
Figure 2 is another process flow diagram illustrating an alternative expansion cycle.
In this plant design, the boosted air stream 44 is split into two portions. One portion 45 passes through the MHE 21 and subsequently valve expanded into the HPC 25.
Another portion 46 is withdrawn from the boosted air stream 44 and passed through the MHE. This side stream of boosted air 46 is partially cooled in the main exchanger to an intermediate temperature and is then passed through expander 36.
This expanded boosted air side stream (or turbo-expanded stream) is also fed into the high pressure column 25. This mode of expansion is sometimes called the Claude expansion mode. The turboexpansion of the boosted air adds refrigeration
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
to the process In order to compensate for thermodynamic irreversibility of the process, for instance, cold box warm end losses and heat leaks Moreover, In a Claude cycle, excess refrigeration can also provide an increase in liquid production An air separation plant designed according to conventional approaches would be configured to operate either In the Lachmann or Claude cycle. If the product demand changes such that there is a need to convert operation between these two cycles, the cold box would have to been opened in order to reconfigure various piping connections for cycle conversion.
The present invention provides a main exchanger coldbox design that IS easily converted from the Lachmann expansion mode to the Claude expansion mode without entry or access into the coldbox for modifying the plant interconnectivity.
This is accomplished by designing and constructing the apparatus such that pipework inside the coldbox are configured to accommodate both Lachmann and Claude operations. Furthermore, predetermined piping connections are provided on the outside of the coldbox enclosing the heat exchanger. These predetermined piping connections are configured to couple to various inlets or fluid stream conduits associated with the heat exchanger and the two distillation columns. and include all connections necessary for installing either a Claude or Lachmann turbine to the apparatus. By designing the main exchanger to operate efficiently In either mode, a small initial capital investment of additional pipework as illustrated diagrammatically In Figure 3 allows for this conversion. In this figure, the solid lines of the air streams illustrate the Lachmann mode of operation The main air supply is cross connected to the turbine pass of the main exchanger. The air is partially cooled and sent to the Lachmann turbine where it is subsequently expanded and sent to the low pressure column. When the plant is in this mode of operation, the Claude turbine pipework, as illustrated by the dashed lines is sealed outside the coldbox by any of various means of sealing (e. g. a blind flange or a valve). Thus, no turbo-expanded stream would be supplied to the high pressure column in the Lachmann mode
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
To convert this plant to Claude mode. the boosted air supply is cross connected to the turbine pass of the main exchanger A Claude turbine is installed and the Lachmann turbine connections are then sealed During this mode of operation. a portion of the boosted air is then partially cooled in the main exchanger and then sent to the Claude turbine, as illustrated by the dashed lines through the coldbox.
The boosted air is then expanded across the Claude turbine and then sent to the high pressure column. In the Claude mode, no turbo-expanded stream would be supplied to the low pressure column.
Figure 3 illustrates this concept. However, several embodiments are envisioned due to variations available in turbine hardware. In one embodiment, the turbines are supplied with a generator loaded brake for the production electricity. In a second embodiment, the turbines are supplied with a compressor wheel that precompresses the air stream that is destined for the turbine pass of the main exchanger In a third embodiment, the turbines are supplied with a compressor wheel designed for compressing a product stream or a waste stream such as regeneration gas for a pre-purification unit. In a fourth embodiment, the turbines are supplied with an oil brake for dissipation of the shaft work generated. In a fifth embodiment, the turbines are supplied with a compressor wheel and an electric motor. In this instance, the power consumption of the compressor wheel exceeds the power generated by the expansion turbine.
While the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments. as will occur to those skilled in the art, numerous changes, additions and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (2)

  1. CLAIMS 1 An apparatus for separating air, comprising, means for forming a first and second compressed purified air streams : a booster compressor for compressing said first compressed purified air
    stream to form a third compressed air stream. a heat exchanger for cooling said third compressed air stream and said second compressed purified air stream : a first distillation column designed to operate at a first pressure and having at least a first inlet for receiving said third compressed air stream and a second inlet for receiving a first turbo-expanded stream ; a second distillation column operating at a second pressure lower than said first pressure and having an inlet for receiving a second turbo-expanded stream; said first and second distillation columns being connected to one another in a heat transfer relationship so that liquid oxygen is produced as a column bottom of said second distillation column : a coldbox enclosing at least said heat exchanger and piping connections for coupling to said first and second distillation columns: turbine means for forming one of said first and second turbo-expanded streams;
    <Desc/Clms Page number 7>
    wherein said coldbox and said heat exchanger and piping connections inside said coldbox are designed to allow conversion of said apparatus between Lachmann and Claude expansion modes, said conversion being achieved by connecting said turbine means to predetermined piping connections disposed on an external side of said coldbox ; and connections are made such that in said Claude mode, said first turbo- expanded stream IS formed from a portion of said third compressed air stream and provided to said second Inlet of said first distillation column ; and in said Lachmann mode. said second turbo-expanded stream is formed from a portion of said second compressed purified air stream and provided to said inlet on said second distillation column
  2. 2. An apparatus for separating air substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0302267A 2002-01-31 2003-01-31 An air separator having first and second distillation columns adapted so as to enable ready conversion between a Lachmann and a Claude expansion mode. Withdrawn GB2385807A (en)

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US35380202P 2002-01-31 2002-01-31

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GB2385807A true GB2385807A (en) 2003-09-03

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021016756A1 (en) * 2019-07-26 2021-02-04 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1510178A (en) * 1921-01-03 1924-09-30 Lachmann Walter Rectifying column
US4365480A (en) * 1978-09-05 1982-12-28 United Air Specialists, Inc. Process gas treating apparatus
EP0698772A1 (en) * 1994-08-25 1996-02-28 The Boc Group, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing oxygen
US5778700A (en) * 1997-04-30 1998-07-14 The Boc Group, Inc. Method of producing gaseous oxygen at variable rate

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1510178A (en) * 1921-01-03 1924-09-30 Lachmann Walter Rectifying column
US4365480A (en) * 1978-09-05 1982-12-28 United Air Specialists, Inc. Process gas treating apparatus
EP0698772A1 (en) * 1994-08-25 1996-02-28 The Boc Group, Inc. Method and apparatus for producing oxygen
US5778700A (en) * 1997-04-30 1998-07-14 The Boc Group, Inc. Method of producing gaseous oxygen at variable rate

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021016756A1 (en) * 2019-07-26 2021-02-04 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation

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