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
  • F25J3/04151—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
  • F25J3/04193—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions
  • F25J3/04206—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions including a so-called "auxiliary vaporiser" for vaporising and producing a gaseous product
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
  • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
  • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
  • F25J3/04418—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 with thermally overlapping high and low pressure columns
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
  • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
  • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
  • F25J3/04878—Side by side arrangement of multiple vessels in a main column system, wherein the vessels are normally mounted one upon the other or forming different sections of the same column
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
  • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
  • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
  • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
  • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
  • F25J3/04872—Vertical layout of cold equipments within in the cold box, e.g. columns, heat exchangers etc.
  • F25J3/04884—Arrangement of reboiler-condensers
• • 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
  • F25J3/04896—Details of columns, e.g. internals, inlet/outlet devices
  • F25J3/04915—Combinations of different material exchange elements, e.g. within different columns
• • 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
  • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
  • F25J2200/34—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using a side column fed by a stream from the 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
  • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
  • F25J2200/50—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column
  • F25J2200/54—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification using multiple (re-)boiler-condensers at different heights of the column in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column 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
  • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
  • F25J2235/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
  • F25J2250/02—Bath type boiler-condenser using thermo-siphon effect, e.g. with natural or forced circulation or pool boiling, i.e. core-in-kettle heat exchanger
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
  • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
  • F25J2250/04—Down-flowing type boiler-condenser, i.e. with evaporation of a falling liquid film

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for air separation by cryogenic distillation. It is known for a conventional air separation apparatus (of type
• Architecture The low pressure column (with its two vaporizers) above the medium pressure column (FIGS. 1 and 4, FR-A-2724011).
• Architecture # 2 The low section of the low pressure column on the ground, and the high section of the low pressure column over the medium pressure column so as to have a direct heat exchange via the medium pressure vaporizer ( Figures 2 and 3 of FR-A-2724011).
• an air separation plant comprising a first distillation column capable of operating at medium pressure, a second distillation column capable of operating at a low pressure, a third column.
• distiller capable of operating at low pressure or at low pressure, a first condenser-vaporizer, a second condenser-vaporizer disposed in the tank of the second column, a pipe for supplying air at least to the first column , a pipe for supplying a nitrogen-enriched liquid from the head of the first column to the head of the third column, at least one pipe for supplying liquid from the tank of the third column to the first condenser-vaporizer, a pipe for conducting a vessel liquid from the first column to the third column, a conduit for supplying liquid from the first condenser-vaporizer to the second column, a conduit for supplying gas from the first column; the first column to the tank of the third column, the first, second and third columns being arranged side by side, possibly being all arranged on a floor.
• the second distillation column capable of operating at low pressure or
• An element of the installation for example a liquid oxygen vaporizer, capable of operating at a cryogenic temperature, can be arranged below one of the columns and in which the two other columns and the element are placed directly on floor.
• Pressurizing means may be connected to the vessel of the second column and the liquid oxygen vaporizer.
• the first condenser-vaporizer is optionally above the first column and is connected to the head of the first column to allow gas reboiling of the first column.
• the installation comprises only one pump connected to two of the columns.
• the pump is optionally connected to the two supply lines of the ide from the tank of the second column to the first condenser-reboiler.
• a gas line eventually connects the first condenser with the tank of the third column.
• the head of the second column and / or the third column is optionally at a lower level than the first condenser-reboiler and preferably lower than the head of the first column.
• the densities of the packings in the first column are lower than those of the packings of the second column and / or the third column.
• the third column does not contain a reboiler condenser.
• the second column may also contain a third condenser-reboiler and means for exchanging heat and material disposed above the third condenser-reboiler.
• the conduit for supplying the overhead gas from the second column to the third column vessel can be connected to a vaporized gas line in the first condenser-reboiler.
• the element of the installation is preferably a vaporizer of liquid oxygen, disposed below the third column.
• the pressure difference between the operating pressure of the first column and the pressure of at least one of the second and third columns is preferably less than 3 bar, preferably 2.5 bar, preferably 2 bar.
• the pressure difference between the operating pressure of the top of the second column and the tank of the third column is optionally less than 1 bar, preferably less than 0.5 bar, preferably less than 0.2 bar.
• the installation comprises a first column 1 operating at a medium pressure, a second column 2 operating at a low pressure and a third column 3 operating at a low pressure slightly lower than that of the second column 2, the low columns.
• pressure preferably operating with a pressure difference of less than 500 mbar (and preferably 200 mbar) measured between the tank of column 3 and the top of column 2.
• the pressure difference between the medium pressure column 1 and the pressure of the low pressure column 2 or 3, measured in the middle of each column, is less than 3 bar, preferably 2.5 bar, preferably 2 bar.
• the three columns 1, 2, 3 are placed on the floor 27, but the third column 3 is raised because a product vaporizer 11 is placed below this column. It is obviously possible to place the vaporizer 11 elsewhere and to place the column 3 directly on the ground 27.
• the ground 27 is constituted by a concrete foundation or other flat surface.
• a compressed, purified and cooled air flow 33 is sent to the bottom of the first column 1 where it separates forming an oxygen-enriched flow rate and a nitrogen-rich flow rate.
• the oxygen-enriched flow rate is fed to a lower level of the third column 3.
• the nitrogen-rich flow rate condenses in the head condenser 9 of the first column.
• This condenser 9 is cooled by a pumped liquid flow 23 from the third column 3 and pressurized by a pump 13 also placed on the ground 27.
• the vaporized liquid 17 from the condenser 9 is mixed with a head gas 15 of the second column 2 to form a gas flow 19 which feeds the tank of the third column 3.
• the head of the column of the second column 2 is fed with a liquid 21 coming from the condenser 9.
• the second column 2 contains one or two or more reboilers, including a reboiler 5 tank and possibly an intermediate reboiler 7. These reboilers can be reheated by any suitable means, including a flow of air, cold pressed or not or a flow of nitrogen, cold pressed or not.
• a flow of gaseous or liquid oxygen 29 is withdrawn at a lower level of the second column 2. This flow if liquid can be pressurized by a pump (not shown) and sent to the vaporizer January 1 to form a pressurized gas flow.
• a flow of liquid nitrogen 35 is expanded in a valve and sent to the top of the third column 3 and a nitrogen-rich gas flow 31 is withdrawn at the top of the third column 3.
• the head of the third column 3 is lower than the head of the first column 1, thus facilitating this transfer by gravity flow.
• Figure 1 shows a condenser 9 which is a bath vaporizer while Figure 2 mounts a film evaporator 9.
• the flow 21 withdrawn from the condenser is biphasic and is sent to the top of the second column as in Figure 1. No flow 17 is produced.
• Figures 3 and 4 are variants of Figures 1 and 2 respectively showing the case where the vaporizer 11 is absent or placed elsewhere than below one of the columns. In this case, the three columns rest directly on the ground 27.
• Figures 5 and 6 respectively show variants of Figures 1 and 2 where the second column contains only one reboiler, the tank reboiler 5. In this case, the second column is obviously shorter.
• the reboiler 5 can be heated with nitrogen or air, optionally compressed, possibly cold pressed.
• the first pump is the pump 13 used for the raising of the liquid from the third column to the top condenser of the first column.
• the second pump used in the case where oxygen is required in pressurized form, will be used to pressurize the liquid oxygen. For the other liquid risers, such as the liquid 25, the pressure difference between the columns should be sufficient to entrain the liquid.
• the first column 1 contains relatively sparse packings (for example with a density of 250 to 500 m 2 / m 3 ) and the second and / or third column contains relatively dense packings (600 to 1000 m 2 / m 3 ) so that to have a first column 1 as high as possible, and a second and / or third column 2, 3 as low as possible so that the flow can operate in a gravitational manner between the vaporizer located above the first column, towards the second and / or third column.
• the passage of liquids in the conduits 21, 35 is facilitated.

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)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=42028103

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (28)

• 2009
  • 2009-06-12 FR FR0953935A patent/FR2946735B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2010
  • 2010-06-04 US US13/321,993 patent/US20120118013A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-06-04 WO PCT/FR2010/051101 patent/WO2010142894A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2010-06-04 EP EP10734789A patent/EP2440871A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-06-04 CA CA2762315A patent/CA2762315A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-06-04 JP JP2012514517A patent/JP5823385B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-06-04 CN CN201080025932.1A patent/CN102667383B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-06-04 AU AU2010258490A patent/AU2010258490B2/en not_active Ceased
• 2011
  • 2011-11-29 ZA ZA2011/08764A patent/ZA201108764B/en unknown

Non-Patent Citations (2)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events