JPH0412392B2 - - Google Patents

Info

Publication number
JPH0412392B2
JPH0412392B2 JP58023428A JP2342883A JPH0412392B2 JP H0412392 B2 JPH0412392 B2 JP H0412392B2 JP 58023428 A JP58023428 A JP 58023428A JP 2342883 A JP2342883 A JP 2342883A JP H0412392 B2 JPH0412392 B2 JP H0412392B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
argon
column
crude
liquefied
gas
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
JP58023428A
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
JPS59150286A (ja
Inventor
Hidetake Okada
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.)
Japan Oxygen Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Japan Oxygen Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Japan Oxygen Co Ltd filed Critical Japan Oxygen Co Ltd
Priority to JP58023428A priority Critical patent/JPS59150286A/ja
Priority to US06/578,200 priority patent/US4575388A/en
Publication of JPS59150286A publication Critical patent/JPS59150286A/ja
Publication of JPH0412392B2 publication Critical patent/JPH0412392B2/ja
Granted legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04351—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • 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
    • F25J3/04278—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using external refrigeration units, e.g. closed mechanical or regenerative refrigeration units
    • 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
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04333—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/04369—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using quasi-closed loop internal vapor compression refrigeration cycles, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of argon or argon enriched stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04678—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser cooled by oxygen enriched liquid from high pressure column bottoms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04969—Retrofitting or revamping of an existing air fractionation unit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being argon or crude argon
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/58—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being argon or crude argon
    • 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
    • F25J2250/20—Boiler-condenser with multiple exchanger cores in parallel or with multiple re-boiling or condensing 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
    • F25J2270/00—Refrigeration techniques used
    • F25J2270/58—Quasi-closed internal or closed external argon refrigeration cycle
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S62/00—Refrigeration
    • Y10S62/923—Inert gas
    • Y10S62/924—Argon

Landscapes

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

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】
この発明はアルゴンの製造方法に係り、詳しく
は電力消費量の少ない経済的なアルゴンの増収法
に関する。 一般にアルゴンの製造は、第１図に示すように
まず空気分離装置の複式精留塔１の上部塔２下部
からアルゴン含量の多い酸素（アルゴンフイー
ド）を管３から抜き出し、粗アルゴン塔４に導入
する。このアルゴンフイードは、下部塔５底部か
ら管６を経て粗アルゴン塔４上部の凝縮器４ａに
送られた液化空気によつて冷却され精留され、管
７から粗アルゴンが導出される。この粗アルゴン
は、管７から図示しない脱酸装置や高純アルゴン
塔などからなるアルゴン精留工程に送られ高純ア
ルゴンとされる。一方、凝縮器４ａに供給された
液化空気は、ここで気化し、管８を通つて上部塔
２に送られる。また、粗アルゴン塔４の塔底から
は液化酸素が導出され、管９を経て上部塔２に返
送される。 このように空気液化精留法による空気分離装置
よりアルゴンを製造する場合は本来上部塔２に液
状のままで供給すべき下部塔５底部の液化空気の
一部によつて粗アルゴン塔４の凝縮器４ａを冷却
しているのが通常である。このため、粗アルゴン
塔４での粗アルゴン収率を高めようとすれば必然
的に粗アルゴン塔４の凝縮器４ａの冷却に用いら
れる下部塔５底部からの液化空気量が増大し、上
部塔２に送られる液化空気の量が減少する。これ
は上部塔２の精留性能の悪化をもたらし、ひいて
はアルゴンフイードを得ることができなくなる。
したがつて、従来法ではアルゴンの収率に限界が
あり、特に寒冷発生用の膨脹タービン出口ガスを
上部塔へ吹き込む全低圧式空気分離装置や液体窒
素採取型の空気分離装置では原料空気中に含まれ
るアルゴンの大部分を廃窒素と共に捨てねばなら
ない場合もあつた。 このような問題に対処すべく、上部塔２の精留
条件を回復させ、アルゴンの収率を高める方策と
して、上部塔２より導出される窒素を下部塔５内
圧力まで圧縮したのち、冷却または液化し、下部
塔５に供給するような窒素サイクルを付設する方
法が知られている。この方法は、例えば第２図に
示すように、上部塔２の塔頂からの窒素ガスの一
部を管１０によつて取出し、これを熱交換器１１
に通して常温付近まで加熱したのち、管１２を経
て圧縮機１３に導入し、4.8Kg／cm2Ｇまで圧縮す
る。ついでこの圧縮窒素ガスを熱交換器１１に通
して上記低温窒素ガスと熱交換して−173℃まで
冷却し、管１４を経て下部塔５の頂部に導入する
ようにしたものである。しかしながら、この窒素
サイクルを設ける方法では、上部塔２の精留条件
は改善されるものの、上部塔２からの大気圧に近
い窒素ガスを下部塔５圧力（５〜6ata）まで圧縮
するに必要な動力は相当大きく、しかも液化潜熱
の小さい窒素を用いることはサイクル内の循環窒
素量を大きくし、この点からも所要動力が増加す
るという問題点があつた。 この発明は上記事情に鑑みてなされたもので、
上部塔の精留条件を悪化させずにアルゴンの採取
率を増加でき、しかも消費電力が少ないアルゴン
の製造方法を提供することを目的とするものであ
る。 以下、図面を参照してこの発明を詳しく説明す
る。 第３図はこの発明のアルゴンの製造方法に好適
な装置の一例を示すもので、第１図に示したもの
と同一構成部分には同一符号を付してその説明は
省略する。 粗アルゴン塔４塔頂から0.2Kg／cm2Ｇ、飽和温
度の粗アルゴンが抜き出され、この粗アルゴンは
管７を経て熱交換器１５に導入され、常温まで加
熱される。この常温の粗アルゴンは、管１６よ
り、圧縮機１７に送られ、1.5Kg／cm2Ｇまで圧縮
されたのち、２分される。粗アルゴンの大部分は
管１８を経て上記熱交換器１５に送られ、残余の
部分は管１９を経て図示しない公知のアルゴン精
製工程に送られ、製品高純アルゴンとされる。熱
交換器１５に送られた粗アルゴンはここで−175
℃まで冷却されたのち、管２０を介してアルゴン
サイクル凝縮器２１に導入される。 アルゴンサイクル凝縮器２１は、管２２，２３
によつて複式精留塔１の凝縮器２４に接続され、
上部塔２塔底の液化酸素で共通に冷却されるよう
になつており、導入された粗アルゴンはここで液
化する。液化粗アルゴンは管２５を通り、液ポン
プ２６を経て弁２７で膨脹して粗アルゴン塔４の
上部に還流液として導入され、精留に供される。 このように、この発明の製造方法にあつては、
粗アルゴン塔４−管７−熱交換器１５−管１６−
圧縮器１７−管１８−熱交換器１５−管２０−ア
ルゴンサイクル凝縮器２１−管２５−液ポンプ２
６−弁２７−粗アルゴン塔４のアルゴンサイクル
が形成されることになる。 このようなアルゴンの製造方法によれば、アル
ゴンフイードが増加して粗アルゴン４塔での所要
冷熱量を増加する必要が生じてもアルゴンサイク
ル中を循環する粗アルゴン量を増加させて、粗ア
ルゴン塔４に導入する単位時間当りの粗アルゴン
量を増加させてやればよく、従来の如く凝縮器４
ａに流す下部塔５からの液化空気量を増加させる
必要がない。従つて、上記塔２に導入される粗ア
ルゴン塔４の凝縮器４ａからの気化空気の増大に
起因する上部塔２の精留効率の低下が生じない。 また、粗アルゴンを循環するようにしたので、
圧縮機１７による圧縮度合が、上部塔２塔底の液
化酸素を気化させるに充分な1.5Kg／cm2Ｇ程度で
よく、従来の窒素サイクルのように下部塔５内圧
力４〜５Kg／cm2Ｇにまで加圧するものに比べて圧
縮機１７の動力費が減少し、装置全体の電力消費
量の増加を僅かなものとすることができる。 なお、上記第３図に示したように液化粗アルゴ
ンを直接還流液として粗アルゴン塔４上部に導入
せずに、粗アルゴン塔４上部を上記液化粗アルゴ
ンで冷却し、塔４内に還流液を発生させ、自身は
気化して熱交換器１５に導入するようにしてもよ
い。ただし、この場合は、圧縮機１７を出た粗ア
ルゴンが全量熱交換器１５に導入され、完全な閉
回路とされる。 この場合には、主精留塔と粗アルゴン塔の相互
影響がさらに改善されるうえ、アルゴンフイード
量に応じて循環アルゴン量を増加する際の運転条
件の変更が一層容易となる効果がある。 次に、第１図に示した補助サイクルのない従来
法、第２図に示した窒素サイクルを付設した従来
法および第３図に示したアルゴンサイクルを付設
した本発明法によつて酸素および粗アルゴンを同
一製品仕様で採取したときの収率、動力量等を比
較すると、次表の通りとなる。なお、表中の原料
空気量とは炭素ガス、水分が除去され、約−170
℃で下部塔に送り込まれる空気量である。
【表】 この表からも明らかなように、本発明法によれ
ば、粗アルゴンを高収率で採取できるとともに電
力消費も低いものとなる。 以上説明したように、この発明によるアルゴン
の製造法は、アルゴンガスを複式精留塔の凝縮器
の液化酸素を蒸発させるに足りる圧力まで加圧し
たのちこのアルゴンガスをその液化点近くまで冷
却し、ついてアルゴンサイクル凝縮器に導入し、
複式精留塔の上部塔底の液化酸素と熱交換してこ
の液化酸素を蒸発させ、この気化酸素を上部塔内
の上昇ガスとし、前記熱交換によつて前記アルゴ
ンガスを液化せしめ、得られた液化アルゴンによ
つて粗アルゴン塔頂部を冷却し、ここで気化した
アルゴンを加熱後再び上記圧力まで加圧するよう
に循環せしめ、かつアルゴンフイード量に応じて
該循環アルゴン量を増加するようにしたアルゴン
サイクルを設けるものであるので、アルゴンを高
収率で採取できるとともに消費電力量も少なくて
済む。また、既設のアルゴン採取装置に簡単な改
造を施すだけで本発明のアルゴンサイクルを付設
でき、既設装置のアルゴン製造能力のアツプを簡
単に行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
第１図は従来のアルゴン製造装置を示す概要構
成図、第２図は従来の窒素サイクルを付設したア
ルゴン製造装置を示す概略構成図、第３図は本発
明のアルゴンの製造方法を実施するに好適な製造
装置の一例を示す概略構成図である。 １……複式精留塔、２……上部塔、４……粗ア
ルゴン塔、７……管、１５……熱交換器、１６…
…管、１７……圧縮器、１８……管、２０……
管、２１……アルゴンサイクル凝縮器、２２……
管、２３……管、２５……管、２６……液ポン
プ、２７……弁。

Claims (1)

  1. 【特許請求の範囲】 １ 複式精留塔と粗アルゴン塔を備えた空気液化
    分離装置によつてアルゴンを製造する際し、アル
    ゴンガスを複式精留塔の凝縮器の液化酸素を蒸発
    させるに足りる圧力まで加圧し、かつ冷却した
    後、前記複式精留塔の上部塔底の液化酸素と熱交
    換してこの液化酸素を蒸発させ、この気化酸素を
    上部塔内の上昇ガスとし、前記熱交換によつて前
    記アルゴンガスを液化せしめ、得られた液化アル
    ゴンによつて粗アルゴン塔頂部を冷却し、ここで
    気化したアルゴンを加熱後再び上記圧力まで加圧
    するよう循環せしめ、かつアルゴンフイード量に
    応じて該循環アルゴン量を増加することを特徴と
    するアルゴンの製造方法。 ２ 前記アルゴンガスが粗アルゴン塔から導出し
    た粗アルゴンガスの一部であり、残部をアルゴン
    精製工程に送ることを特徴とする特許請求の範囲
    第１項記載のアルゴンの製造方法。 ３ 前記アルゴンガスが完全な閉回路を形成して
    循環することを特徴とする特許請求の範囲第１項
    記載のアルゴンの製造方法。
JP58023428A 1983-02-15 1983-02-15 アルゴンの製造方法 Granted JPS59150286A (ja)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP58023428A JPS59150286A (ja) 1983-02-15 1983-02-15 アルゴンの製造方法
US06/578,200 US4575388A (en) 1983-02-15 1984-02-08 Process for recovering argon

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP58023428A JPS59150286A (ja) 1983-02-15 1983-02-15 アルゴンの製造方法

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPS59150286A JPS59150286A (ja) 1984-08-28
JPH0412392B2 true JPH0412392B2 (ja) 1992-03-04

Family

ID=12110231

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP58023428A Granted JPS59150286A (ja) 1983-02-15 1983-02-15 アルゴンの製造方法

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US4575388A (ja)
JP (1) JPS59150286A (ja)

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KR102932115B1 (ko) 2020-05-15 2026-03-03 프랙스에어 테크놀로지, 인코포레이티드 질소 및 아르곤 생성 극저온 공기 분리 유닛용 통합형 질소 액화기
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US4575388A (en) 1986-03-11
JPS59150286A (ja) 1984-08-28

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