TW201730102A - 藉由冷變壓吸附的氬生產方法 - Google Patents
藉由冷變壓吸附的氬生產方法 Download PDFInfo
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- TW201730102A TW201730102A TW106105485A TW106105485A TW201730102A TW 201730102 A TW201730102 A TW 201730102A TW 106105485 A TW106105485 A TW 106105485A TW 106105485 A TW106105485 A TW 106105485A TW 201730102 A TW201730102 A TW 201730102A
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- Prior art keywords
- crude argon
- pressure
- argon
- stream
- temperature
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- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 432
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 219
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 108
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 74
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 239000010457 zeolite Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 74
- 229910021536 Zeolite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 72
- HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N dioxosilane;oxo(oxoalumanyloxy)alumane Chemical compound O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O HNPSIPDUKPIQMN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 72
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 239000003463 adsorbent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- UNYSKUBLZGJSLV-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium;1,3,5,2,4,6$l^{2}-trioxadisilaluminane 2,4-dioxide;dihydroxide;hexahydrate Chemical compound O.O.O.O.O.O.[OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2].O=[Si]1O[Al]O[Si](=O)O1.O=[Si]1O[Al]O[Si](=O)O1 UNYSKUBLZGJSLV-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 229910052676 chabazite Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 48
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 24
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical group C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000002336 sorption--desorption measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 claims description 4
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- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 206010033546 Pallor Diseases 0.000 claims 1
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- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 39
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- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 13
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 12
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 7
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- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000006200 vaporizer Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 4
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- 238000004887 air purification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002808 molecular sieve Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium aluminosilicate Chemical compound [Na+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O URGAHOPLAPQHLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
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- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011067 equilibration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012808 vapor phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003513 alkali Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002585 base Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005094 computer simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001944 continuous distillation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010924 continuous production Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000004122 cyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006392 deoxygenation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 description 1
- JYIMWRSJCRRYNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N dialuminum;disodium;oxygen(2-);silicon(4+);hydrate Chemical compound O.[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Na+].[Na+].[Al+3].[Al+3].[Si+4] JYIMWRSJCRRYNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005194 fractionation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052738 indium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005498 polishing Methods 0.000 description 1
- BITYAPCSNKJESK-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassiosodium Chemical compound [Na].[K] BITYAPCSNKJESK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000002594 sorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008646 thermal stress Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002912 waste gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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- C01B23/00—Noble gases; Compounds thereof
- C01B23/001—Purification or separation processes of noble gases
- C01B23/0036—Physical processing only
- C01B23/0052—Physical processing only by adsorption in solids
- C01B23/0057—Physical processing only by adsorption in solids characterised by the adsorbent
- C01B23/0068—Zeolites
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- B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
- B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
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- B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
- B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
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- B01J29/085—Crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites; Isomorphous compounds thereof of the faujasite type, e.g. type X or Y containing rare earth elements, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, zinc, cadmium, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, tin or lead
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Abstract
本文揭露的是用於自粗製氬流純化氬的方法及系統,其運用於-186℃至-20℃;更佳地-150℃至-50℃;而且最佳地-130℃至-80℃的冷溫度下利用氧選擇性沸石吸附劑的變壓吸附。在一些具體實施例中,該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係4A沸石、菱沸石或其組合。
Description
本揭露關於用於生產高純度氬的系統及方法。更明確地說,本揭露關於用於純化粗製氬的系統及方法,該粗製氬係事先利用低溫精餾塔,藉由冷溫度的變壓吸附自空氣回收。
自低溫空氣分離單元(ASU)設備生產氬的方法已為人所知。該ASU設備也可生產氧及/或氮。傳統上,該ASU設備總是具有高和低壓蒸餾塔及粗製氬塔,舉例來說,如准予Howard等人的美國專利第5,313,800號所述。在某些案例中該粗製氬塔可以分隔壁構型與該低壓塔合併,舉例來說,如准予Agrawal等人的美國專利第6,240,744號所述。為了達成此揭露的目的,我們揭露該氬的生產方法,儘管熟悉此技藝者能輕易明白,將會產生富含氧及/或氮的物流,該等物流能分開地處理或送返該ASU以供進一步處理。
低溫蒸餾所產生的粗製氬,自氧/氮/氬分離塔的中段取走,能含有介於5與20%之間的氬、低於0.1%氮及剩
下部分的氧。自氬/氧分離塔的頂部取出的粗製氬含有至少50體積%氬、低於2體積%氮及剩下部分的氧。更常地,此組合物係至少80體積%氬、低於0.5體積%氮及剩下部分的氧。對許多最終用途而言此純度水準並不適合。已經有數種方法被用於將該粗製氬流進一步純化,包括所謂的脫氧或吸氣劑方法,其需要昂貴的金屬觸媒/吸氣劑、現場產生的氫及不受控的放熱反應的可能危害;單獨低溫蒸餾,其於較小規模設備處需要成本很高的較大蒸餾塔;或各自具有其本身缺點的多重吸附製程。
在先前技藝中有數個實例(准予Jones等人的美國專利第2,810,454號、准予Allam等人的美國專利第3,928,004號、准予Golovko等人的美國專利第3,996,028號、准予Kovak等人的美國專利第5,159,816號)於低溫吸附製程中利用4A沸石(也被稱作NaA沸石)自氬分離氧。這些實例教導於低於-100℃的供料溫度下吸附以限制氬進入4A細孔並且避免顯著的氬共吸附。然而,為了產生被教導的變溫吸附(TSA)循環,必須外加熱能自該吸附劑將氧脫附。於這些再生溫度下,氬能於較快速率下進入4A細孔,而且若在冷卻下來期間與該吸附劑直接接觸便保持陷於該等細孔中,從而使氧的工作容量降低。這必須得藉由臨近該吸附劑抽真空將壓力降至低於周遭環境而且接著藉由間接裝置冷卻回到供料溫度。這些熱變動,結合真空壓力,使隨著滲漏至大氣氣體而污染該吸附劑的可能性提高了。
該先前技藝也教導藉由變壓吸附(PSA)或真空變
壓吸附(VPSA)於周遭溫度下使用碳分子篩(CMS)或其他吸附劑將氬純化的方法(准予Nguyen的美國專利第5,730,003號、准予Graham等人的美國專利第7,501,009號、准予Zhong等人、Rege等人的美國專利第6,500,235號、准予Baksh等人的美國專利第6,527,831號)。除非運用包含2或更多組壓縮器及容器的電力和成本密集之多重列PSA製程(美國專利第6,500,235准予Zhong等人的),否則這些製程傾向於提供低於40%的較低回收率。VPSA製程在再生期間也需要真空,提高了滲漏至大氣污染物的機會。Verma等人描述CMS於25℃、0℃及-84℃下的氣體吸取性質,其顯示當溫度降低時超過Ar的O2選擇性之增進,但是卻未提及關於依氬回收率或氬生產力或氬純度的角度改善製程效能指標之製程資訊例如循環時程、床數、操作條件等等。該PSA的低氬回收率能藉由使廢氣自該PSA再循環回該低溫蒸餾設備而被調節。然而當使用CMS時,該製程需要確保碳沒被送返該低溫蒸餾塔的裝置。舉例來說能使用過濾系統(准予Graham等人的美國專利第7,501,009號)。關此,吾人所欲為減少,若沒消除,該系統使用的碳量。
因此,吾人所欲為研發能完成以下一或多者的用於純化氬(Ar)氣的系統及方法:改善氬回收率;需要較少裝備;需要較少能量;限制廢物流;藉由提高生產量減少廢物流的再循環;限制返回該低溫蒸餾塔的碳量;減少過濾該再循環流的需求;減小床尺寸;提高生產力;及其他改良之處。本文討論的是能滿足這些預期品質中的一或多者的純化粗製
氬流之系統及方法。
某些具體實施例藉著先前技藝系統及方法提供上述問題及/或其他者的解決方法。
某些具體實施例提供一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含提供於-186℃至-20℃的溫度及2bara至20bara的壓力下呈蒸氣形態的加壓粗製氬流,將該加壓粗製氬流引進含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑而且於-186℃至-20℃下操作的變壓吸附設備,自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氬的產物,及使該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑於大於優勢的周遭壓力(prevailing ambient pressure)的壓力下再生。在一些具體實施例中,該粗製氬流係於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下供給該PSA,有些於-130℃至-80℃。在一些具體實施例中,該粗製氬蒸氣流係於2bara至8bara的供料壓力下供給該PSA。在一些具體實施例中,該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自該等4A型沸石及鈉交換型菱沸石(NaCHA),在某些例子中該PSA中的氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係具有選自1.3至1.8或約1.6的Si/Al比的鈉交換型菱沸石(NaCHA(1.6))。
某些具體實施例提供提供一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含提供來自第一低溫蒸餾塔的粗製氬流;使該粗製氬流汽化;使該粗製氬蒸氣流通過變壓吸附設備;自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氬的產物;及將該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑再生;其特徵為:該粗製氬流係於-186℃至-20℃
的溫度下供給該PSA設備;該PSA設備含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑;其中該PSA設備除非是壓力變化或吸附/脫附的函數關係否則在操作期間的操作溫度未被提高;及該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係於比優勢的周遭壓力更高的壓力下再生。在一些具體實施例中,該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自4A沸石、鈉交換型菱沸石及其組合。在一些具體實施例中,該PSA係於-150℃至-50℃下進行。
某些具體實施例提供一種用於生產氬氣體之系統,該系統包含含至少二吸附床的變壓吸附設備,各吸附床含有適合於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下使用的氧選擇性沸石吸附劑。
以下描述的是本發明的某些具體實施例:
具體實施例1. 一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含:提供於-186℃至-20℃的溫度下的加壓粗製氬蒸氣流;將該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流引進含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑的變壓吸附設備而且於-186℃至-20℃下操作該變壓吸附設備;自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氬的產物,及使該氧選擇性沸石於大於優勢的周遭壓力的壓力下再生;其中該變壓吸附設備除非是壓力變化或吸附/脫附的函數關係否則在操作期間的操作溫度未被提高。
具體實施例2. 如具體實施例1之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流來自空氣蒸餾製程而且由粗製氬塔的頂部或頂部附近生產,該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流具有包含氧、氮及50莫耳%至99.5莫耳%氬的組成。
具體實施例3. 如具體實施例1或2中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流包含氧、約70莫耳%至約97莫耳%氬及約0.5莫耳%氮。
具體實施例4. 如具體實施例1至3中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下被引進該變壓吸附設備,而且於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下操作該變壓吸附設備。
具體實施例5. 如具體實施例1至3中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下被引進該變壓吸附設備而且於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下操作該變壓吸附設備。
具體實施例6. 如具體實施例1至5中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於2bara至20bara的供料壓力下被引進該變壓吸附設備。
具體實施例7. 如具體實施例1至5中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於2bara至8bara的供料壓力下被引進該變壓吸附設備。
具體實施例8. 如具體實施例1至7中任一項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自該4A型沸石及鈉交換型菱沸石。
具體實施例9. 如具體實施例1至7中任一項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係具有1.3至1.8的Si/Al比之鈉交換型菱沸石。
具體實施例10. 如具體實施例9之方法,其中該
鈉交換型菱沸石具有約1.6的Si/Al比。
具體實施例11. 如具體實施例1至10中任一項之方法,其中該變壓吸附設備也包含一或更多用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石。
具體實施例12. 如具體實施例11之方法,其中該等用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石係選自鈉X型沸石、鈣X型沸石、鈣交換A型沸石(CaA或5A)或其組合。
具體實施例13. 如具體實施例1至12中任一項之方法,其中在該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流引進該變壓吸附設備以前,該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的至少一部分係提高壓力而形成被供給該變壓吸附設備的壓縮含氬流。
具體實施例14. 如具體實施例1至5及7至13中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係藉由自空氣蒸餾製程以低壓蒸氣型式抽走粗製氬,將該低壓粗製氬蒸氣暖化並且將該暖化低壓粗製氬蒸氣壓縮形成2bara至8bara而形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣。
具體實施例15. 如具體實施例14之方法,其另外包含將該加壓粗製氬蒸氣冷卻而形成-186℃至-20℃。
具體實施例16. 如具體實施例1至5及7至13中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係藉由自空氣蒸餾製程以低壓蒸氣型式抽走粗製氬並且將該低壓粗製氬蒸氣直接壓縮至2bara至8bara以形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣。
具體實施例17. 如具體實施例16之方法,其另外包含,調整該加壓粗製氬蒸氣的溫度而形成-186℃至
-20℃。
具體實施例18. 如具體實施例1至5及7至13中任一項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係藉由自空氣蒸餾製程以低壓液體型式抽走粗製氬,將該低壓粗製氬液體的壓力提高至2bara至8bara,並且將該加壓粗製氬液體汽化形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流。
具體實施例19. 如具體實施例18之方法,其另外包含調整該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的溫度至-186℃至-20℃。
具體實施例20. 如具體實施例1至19中任一項之方法,其中將該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑再生係於高於優勢的周遭壓力約0.1bar至約0.5bar的壓力下進行。
具體實施例21. 如具體實施例1至20中任一項之方法,其中將該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑再生包含自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氧的氣體及使其再循環回到低溫蒸餾塔。
具體實施例22. 如具體實施例1至21中任一項之方法,其另外包含將該富含氬的產物供入蒸餾塔以移除氮。
具體實施例23. 一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含:提供來自第一低溫蒸餾塔的加壓粗製氬流;使該加壓粗製氬流汽化;於-186℃至-20℃的溫度及2bara至8bara的供料壓力下將該汽化粗製氬流引進含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑的變壓吸附(PSA)設備;於-186℃至-20℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備;自該PSA設備抽走富含氬的產物;而且於大於優勢的周遭壓力的壓力下將該氧選擇性沸石再生;其中在操作期間該PSA設備除非是壓力變化或吸附/脫附的函數
關係否則在操作期間的操作溫度未被提高。
具體實施例24. 如具體實施例23之方法,其中該汽化粗製氬流於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下被引至該PSA設備,而且於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備。
具體實施例25. 如具體實施例23之方法,其中該汽化粗製氬流於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下被引至該PSA設備,而且於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備。
具體實施例26. 如具體實施例23至25中任一項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自4A沸石、鈉交換型菱沸石或其組合。
具體實施例27. 一種用於生產氬氣之系統,該系統包含:包含至少二吸附床的變壓吸附(PSA)設備,各吸附床含有適合於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下使用的氧選擇性沸石吸附劑。
本文的說明書表示本質的例示,普通熟悉此技藝者將能輕易明白落在本揭露的範疇和精神以內的其他變化及具體實施例。
100‧‧‧粗製氬來源
110‧‧‧冷加壓粗製氬流
120‧‧‧冷氬變壓吸附製程
130A‧‧‧PSA床
130B‧‧‧PSA床
140‧‧‧富含氬的產物流
150‧‧‧廢物流
500‧‧‧粗製氬塔
501‧‧‧粗製氬流
503‧‧‧冷壓縮器
505‧‧‧加壓粗製氬流
507‧‧‧熱交換器
509‧‧‧物流
511‧‧‧最終氬加工單元
513‧‧‧再循環流
605‧‧‧物流
703‧‧‧暖壓縮器
704‧‧‧熱交換器
705‧‧‧物流
707‧‧‧冷卻器
709‧‧‧加壓粗製氬流
801‧‧‧粗製氬流
803‧‧‧泵
805‧‧‧物流
807‧‧‧汽化器
圖1顯示根據本文所述的某些具體實施例的基礎系統之示意圖;圖2係描繪依據某些具體實施例應用的PSA循環之流程圖;
圖3A係描繪於周遭溫度下的CMS的模擬回收率及生產力效能之圖形;圖3B係描繪於冷溫度下的4A沸石的模擬回收率及生產力效能;圖3C係描繪於冷溫度下的鈉菱沸石的模擬回收率及生產力效能之圖形;圖4係描繪於不同溫度下的不同吸附劑的有效選擇性及O2容量之圖形;圖5係依據某些具體實施例的系統示意圖及流程圖;圖6係依據某些具體實施例的系統示意圖及流程圖;圖7係依據某些具體實施例的系統示意圖及流程圖;圖8係依據某些具體實施例的系統示意圖及流程圖。
本揭露聚焦於由低溫空氣純化系統所生產的粗製氬流之處理,但是承認任何可使用的粗製氬來源。舉例來說,粗製氬流可來自如所述的低溫空氣純化系統或當作工業應用的回收流及其他來源。
如用於本文的,該措辭"塔"意指蒸餾或分餾塔或帶,亦即,接觸塔或帶,其中使液體和蒸氣相逆流接觸以引起流體混合物的分離,舉例來說,藉由使該蒸氣相和液相在一連串於該塔內垂直間隔開的盤或板上接觸及/或在填充構件例如結構化或不規則填充物上接觸。關於蒸餾塔的進一步討論,參見由R.H.Perry及C.H.Chilton編著的Chemical Engineer's Handbook,第五版,McGraw-Hill Book Company,New York,第13段,連續蒸餾製程。該措辭,雙塔,係用以表示較高壓力塔,其上方部位與較低壓力塔的下方部位呈熱交換關係。
如用於本文的,該措辭“流體”意指氣體、液體或其組合。
如用於本文的,該措辭“變壓吸附”、“PSA”或“變壓吸附器”或類似措辭表示變壓吸附,不包括真空。當任何循環步驟中運用真空時,將會提及“真空變壓吸附”、“VPSA”或類似的語言。為求清晰,除非另行指明,否則就該PSA循環中的所有步驟而言,與該等揭露方法相關的PSA皆涉及於或高於該優勢的周遭壓力的壓力。
如用於本文的,該措辭“周遭壓力”意指該製程所在處的環境空氣的壓力。
如用於本文的,該措辭“粗製氬塔”意指與雙塔低溫空氣分離設備相關聯的蒸餾塔(參見美國專利第5,730,003號,圖1,單元53)。該塔的操作壓力常為1bara至2bara。
如用於本文的,該措辭“粗製氬”意指自該粗製氬塔的頂部或頂部附近移除的含氬流體。粗製氬通常包括不同量的氬、氧及氮。依據該來源,粗製氬包含至少50莫耳%而且更常地至少80莫耳%氬,剩下的部分為氮及氧。
如用於本文的,該措辭“富含氬的產物”意指已經是富含氬,而且至少氧耗乏的分離產物。
如用於本文的,該措辭“冷壓縮器”意指用以將引
入溫度低於環境,通常低於環境相當多,舉例來說,-186℃至-20℃,的蒸氣的壓力提高之壓縮器。
如用於本文的,該措辭“暖壓縮器”意指用以將引入溫度接近環境的蒸氣的壓力提高之壓縮器。排出流體係於熱交換器中使用環境冷卻來源例如空氣或水冷卻至接近周遭溫度。
如用於本文的,該措辭“加壓粗製氬”意指壓力大於該粗製氬塔的粗製氬流體。舉例來說,2bara至20bara。
如用於本文的,該措辭“冷加壓粗製氬”意指壓力為2bara至20bara而且溫度為-186℃至-20℃的粗製氬流體。
如用於本文的,該措辭“冷Ar PSA”意指用以加工含氬供料而生產富含氬的產物之PSA。該操作壓力總是高於該周遭壓力而且該操作溫度係為-186℃至-20℃。
如用於本文的,該措辭“再生/洗淨氣體”意指實質上不含雜質而且用以在準備另一供料循環時自吸附劑脫附雜質的氣體。
如用於本文的,該措辭“廢氣”意指無用氣體(void gas)在排放及洗淨步驟期間自該容器脫附氣體之混合物。等到供料及均壓(pressure equalization)步驟之後自該PSA系統抽出該混合物當作低壓流。
如用於本文的,該措辭“最終氬加工單元”意指用以提供該富含氬的產物的拋光純化及/或液化之單元。普通熟悉空氣分離者皆知道加工步驟。關於更細的細節,參照准予Graham等人的美國專利第7,501,009號。
如用於本文的,該措辭“泵”意指用以提升液體壓力的裝置。
如用於本文的,該措辭“熱交換器”意指用將熱自較熱流體轉移給較冷流體的裝置。該熱轉移屬於間接性,其中該較熱和較冷流體並沒有混合而是被金屬製表面隔開。。
如用於本文的,該措辭“汽化器”意指用以將液體轉化成蒸氣的熱交換器,熱則由外部熱流體提供。
圖1係描繪基礎系統及方法學的示意圖。粗製氬來源100提供在被當作供料氣體(物流110)送往PSA 120(在此被顯示成二床單元)以前,被調整成-186℃至-20℃的溫度及2bara至20bara的壓力(溫度壓力的轉變)之粗製氬流體。該物流110的壓力(如該PSA的供料入口處測到的)定義該PSA的最大操作壓力。給該等PSA床130A、130B裝填具有偏好氧超過氬的選擇性之沸石。該PSA生產富含氬的產物140,其包含氧濃度比該進入PSA的流體更低的氧濃度之流體。在床130A或130B中任一者的壓力降至高於該優勢的周遭壓力(如該PSA的洗淨出口處測量的)0.1bar至0.5bar而且被洗淨而將該沸石吸附劑再生之情形中,該PSA也生產廢物流150。廢物流150包含含有比該進入PSA 120的流體更高氧濃度之流體,而且可被反饋至該系統的較早部分,例如該空氣純化單元,或被送往該系統的另一部分以供進一步處理。
圖2描繪某些具體實施例中應用的示範PSA製程中的特定循環步驟。普通熟悉此技藝者能輕易地知道其他床可視需要使用而且該等PSA循環步驟可視需要修改,而不會
悖離本揭露的範疇及精神。
如圖2所描繪的,該PSA循環能被彙總成:步驟1:供料;步驟2:均衡卸壓1;步驟3:雙重均衡卸壓2;步驟4:逆流排放(counter-current blow-down);步驟5:洗淨;步驟6:均衡再加壓1;步驟7:雙重均衡再加壓2;及步驟8:藉著產物及供料再加壓。
此處顯示的示範PSA循環時程係二床多步驟製程,其中各床進行以下循環順序:吸附(供料);均衡卸壓;逆流排放;洗淨;均衡再加壓及藉著產物及供料再加壓。該循環順序顯示頂部至頂部及中間至底部均壓。均衡氣體通過該吸附器床的底(供料)端轉移也可被視為均壓的有效措施。均衡氣體通過該吸附器床的底部轉移能能藉著同步頂部均衡,或不同頂部均衡完成。普通熟悉此技藝者皆知道該PSA設備的各個不同實施方式。如普通熟悉此技藝者所知,其他循環時程皆可用作可供選擇的具體實施例。
如本文所述的,該等PSA床130A、130B(參見圖1)裝載著O2選擇性沸石。在一些具體實施例中,該等PSA床實質上不含陽離子,特別是碳分子篩(CMS),其於有關氬富集的其他PSA方法中常能見到。透過O2選擇性沸石及本文所述的低溫的選擇,能勝過先前方法,例如於周遭溫度下運用CMS者(例如Graham等人,美國專利第7,501,009號),達成選擇性及生產力二者的顯著改善。
在一些具體實施例中,PSA係自-186℃進行至-20℃;於某些具體實施例中自-150℃進行至-50℃,而且於
某些具體實施例中自-130℃進行至-80℃,或介於此等溫度之間的任何值或值的範圍。該PSA期間的溫度係藉由讓溫度靠吸附的壓力和熱的變化變動,而不是藉由主動加熱或主動冷卻,而簡單地保持著。
該PSA床的吸附(供料)步驟中生產出富含氬的物流140。一旦PSA床130A或130B(參見圖1)充滿著雜質,而且均衡氣體的轉移完成了,其便能藉由卸壓,接著用產物氬氣逆流地洗淨使O2脫附而被再生。此卸壓及洗淨氣體包含廢氣流150(圖1),其具有高的O2濃度,而且能任意地再循環回該粗製氬來源以供進一步純化。相對於CMS系統,此廢氣150,在一些具體實施例中,實質上不含碳,從而免除過濾器的需求並且使揮發性碳引進該粗製氬來源的可能富含氧的環境之可能性降低。當此再生正在進行時,第二床正用以生產氬產物流。該二床多步驟製程無法伴隨著連續產物抽取進行連續供料。然而,如該PSA技藝中眾所周知的,使用多床(多於二床)PSA製程便能連續生產。
在一些具體實施例中,該富含氬的產物具有高於90%氬。在一些具體實施例中,該富含氬的產物具有高於99%氬。在一些具體實施例中,該富含氬的產物具有高於99.99%氬。在一些具體實施例中,該富含氬的產物具有高於99.999%氬。在一些具體實施例中,該富含氬的產物具有高於99.9998%氬。圖4係關於CMS於20℃下、4A沸石於不同溫度下及NaCHA(1.6)於-100℃下的有效的O2/Ar選擇性對比於O2容量之製圖。有效選擇性係由以下計算出來:HO2/HAr *
(KO2/KAr)0.5,其中H係亨利係數(Henry’s constant)而且K係個別氣體的吸取速率係數。此計算結合平衡選擇性及動力學選擇性以評估吸附製程的總體分離有效性。
圖4顯示當與於周遭(20℃)溫度下的4A沸石相比時,於周遭(20℃)溫度下的CMS的選擇性及O2容量二者皆優異。然而,於-100℃下,4A沸石證實比於周遭溫度下的CMS更高許多的O2容量,而且出乎意外地,當與於周遭溫度下的CMS相比時保持等效的有效選擇性。該先前技藝教導使用4A沸石的製程必須於低於-133℃下操作以達成實用的O2/Ar選擇性,如於-150℃下的4A的數據點例示的。(參見例如,美國專利第3,996,028號,Golovko。)然而,於低溫下,該先前技藝教導在變壓洗淨-於-150℃下吸附以回收穩態O2工作容量以後必須外加熱量及/或真空-的期間O2無法自4A沸石有效地脫附。外加熱量及/或真空將帶來缺點例如:能量密集加熱再生;裝備的熱應力;及增加滲漏至該系統中的可能性。該系統中的滲漏在真空系統中又更不利,因為真空吸引而滲漏至該系統中,所以引進外界污染物。根據本文討論的具體實施例,在該再生循環期間沒外加熱量或真空。也就是說,該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑床係於等於或大於該優勢的周遭壓力的壓力下再生。不對任何PSA循環外加真空。由先前技藝方法無法顯而見靠沸石吸附劑的PSA循環能於本文期待的低溫下進行。舉例來說自-186℃至-20℃;於某些具體實施例中-150℃至-50℃,而且於某些具體實施例中-130℃至-80℃,同時保持實質上不會隨著重複循環而減小的穩態O2
工作容量。
該變壓吸附系統,可能是任何適合系統,但是通常包含至少二變壓吸附容器130A及130B,各吸附床含有一或更多層的吸附劑。至少其中之一層包含氧選擇性沸石吸附劑,特別是適合有關低溫者。4A沸石及菱沸石可用是因為其於這些溫度下的效能而且事實上其不含碳。特別是,與此同時申請(而且以引用方式將其全文併入本文的)美國專利案序號第15/049610號、第15/049659號及第15/049634號,發明名稱為Modified Chabazite吸附劑Compositions,Methods of Making and Using Them(代理人編號07939、07952及07953),描述適合用於本文所述的系統及方法的改性菱沸石。
在一些具體實施例中,該吸附劑係選自4A沸石及菱沸石或其組合。使用時,該等菱沸石通常是具有約1.3至約1.8的Si/Al比的鈉交換型沸石,而且於某些具體實施例中約1.6。最好能避免碳分子篩吸附劑。也能使用其他鹼交換型菱沸石例如混合鉀-鈉型菱沸石。
除了氧選擇性沸石吸附劑以外,該變壓吸附容器可含有其他吸附劑或粒子,無論是呈單獨層或與彼等混合。舉例來說,在一些具體實施例中,氮選擇性吸附劑也可用以在該PSA製程期間移除氮。該氮選擇性吸附劑可被用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石。在一些具體實施例中,該等用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石係鈉X型沸石、鈣X型沸石、鈣交換型A沸石(CaA或5A,其中Ca交換水準通常為80%或更高)或其組合。
在一些具體實施例中,避免用CMS以消除任何碳引進該低溫系統。該變壓吸附系統可藉由此技藝中已知的不同循環步驟操作,尤其是氮PSA系統中使用的步驟。
在接下來的說明中,咸了解PSA操作的最大供料壓力係為2bara至20bara,而且於某些具體實施例中2bara及8bara,而該再生壓力係高於該優勢的周遭壓力0.1bar至0.5bar。咸亦了解該PSA操作的溫度係為-186℃至-20℃;於某些具體實施例中-150℃至-50℃,而且於某些具體實施例中-130℃至-80℃。
本發明之一實施方式係舉例說明於圖5。粗製氬流501係以蒸氣形態自該粗製氬塔500的頂部或頂部附近生產。物流501係於冷壓縮器503中升壓而形成加壓粗製氬流505。物流505係於熱交換器507中任意地暖化至期望的吸附溫度而生產冷加壓粗製氬流110。物流110供料給冷Ar PSA 120。富含氬的產物流140係於吸附壓力下生產當作產物,而且廢氣流150係於低於該吸附壓力,但是高於該優勢的周遭壓力下被抽走。富含氬的產物流140係任意地於熱交換器507中冷卻,接著被引至最終氬加工單元511。單元511可能:將所有或部分的物流509液化及/或自物流509移除殘留的氮雜質。該廢氣流150係任意地於熱交換器507中冷卻,接著被送返粗製氬塔500當作再循環流513。
由於關聯壓縮器503的溫度提高,及介於物流513與505之間必需的溫度差,物流513可能太暖而無法直接返回粗製氬塔500。在此情況中圖5構型中可包括許多任選步
驟。舉例來說:1)可在其再循環至粗製氬塔500以前運用另一熱交換器將物流513進一步冷卻;2)可在其引進熱交換器507以前運用另一熱交換器將物流505冷卻;3)可將另一冷物流引至熱交換器507以提供寒冷水準的冷卻作用,從而造成物流513及任意地物流509被冷卻。
本發明的另一實施方式係舉例說明於圖6。除了處理粗製氬流501的順序,本實施方式與圖5類似。如圖6所示,物流501先在熱交換器507中暖化以提供物流605,其隨後透過冷壓縮器503中提高壓力而形成冷加壓粗製氬流110。比較圖5的實施方式,本實施方式消除進一步冷卻物流513及任意地物流509的需求。
本發明的另一實施方式係舉例說明於圖7。除了冷壓縮器503用暖壓縮器703代替,本實施方式與圖6類似;除此之外,添加了熱交換器704。如圖7所示,物流501先在熱交換器507中暖化以生產物流605。物流605係於熱交換器704中進一步暖化至接近周遭溫度而變成物流705。物流705係於暖壓縮器703中升高壓力,接著於冷卻器707中移除壓縮熱,從而使加壓粗製氬流709返回接近周遭溫度。物流709係於熱交換器704中冷卻至期望的寒冷溫度而形成冷加壓粗製氬流110。比起圖6的實施例方式,本實施方式消除建構及操作冷壓縮器503的需求。
本發明的另一實施方式係舉例說明於圖8。本實施方式與圖5類似,但是有幾個例外。基本差異為:1)該粗製氬的來源係液體而非蒸氣,及,2)圖5的冷壓縮器503已
經被刪除並且用泵803及汽化器807替換。如圖8所示,粗製氬流801係以液體形態自該粗製氬塔500的頂部或頂部附近生產。物流801係於泵803中升壓以形成物流805,接著於汽化器807中汽化以生產加壓粗製氬流505。物流505係任意地於熱交換器507中暖化至期望的吸附溫度以生產冷加壓粗製氬流110。該製程的剩下部分與圖5所述者類似。
將物流805汽化所需的熱能藉由任何與主要低溫製程相關聯的物流冷卻或凝結提供而且能被普通熟悉空氣分離,例如使預冷卻空氣流進來,者輕易地分辨。普通熟悉空氣分離者也顯而易見該泵803可藉由自高的高度抽取液流801而被刪除,而且使該液體在於汽化器807中汽化以前往下流至低的高度。使液體自高的高度轉移至低的高度造成該液體的壓力由於習稱為靜壓差(static head)的效應而提高。用以汽化並且使壓力提高而沒用泵的技術之實例係舉例說明於美國專利第5,730,003號。
該PSA的PSA循環及結合至低溫蒸餾塔的其他具體實施例,關於再循環流的控制,係描述於Graham等人的美國專利第7,501,009號。
下列實施例係藉由工業中常使用的動態模擬電腦程式建立模型並且評估。該模擬假設粗製氬流包含約94.95% Ar、5% O2及剩下部分的N2,其代表藉由低溫精煉生產的粗製氬流。
實施例1:藉由冷蒸氣PSA配合4A沸石生產氬。
在圖1及2所描述的運用圖2所示的二床、8步驟冷氬PSA製程之方法及系統係用以使用4A沸石吸附劑來計算呈主產物(Ar)回收率形式的製程效率指標及生產力。各個填充115.4kg吸附劑的吸附床係2.44m長及0.30m直徑。該PSA循環係分別於4.96bara及-130℃的壓力及溫度下循著圖2所示的順序操作。假設該床已經事先藉著主要產物氣體加壓至該循環的最高壓力水準,將含有94.95莫耳% Ar、5莫耳% O2及剩下部分的N2的供料氣體混合物引入該床的入口端而且將該未被吸附的氣體(最初純化的Ar)自該床的出口端排出。該供料步驟係持續到優先被吸附的組分(O2)的質傳帶達到該床的出口端而不會實質上貫穿該床。使該供料步驟(步驟1)期間的流速保持於28.40Nm3/h,而且處於近乎供料壓力和溫度的含有2.0ppm O2的流出氣體係於12.93Nm3/h的速率下自該產物槽(槽A)抽出當作物流11(圖2)。於該供料步驟結束時,該床連著在進行均壓再增壓步驟(步驟6)的第二床,而且有一部分無用的及脫附的氣體自該第一床的產物端被轉移至該第二床的產物端,從而使該第一床壓力於此步驟(步驟2)最終時降至大約3.78bara。接著步驟2,導入兩端均衡卸壓步驟(圖2中的步驟3)以將更多共吸附及無用的氣體從該床兩端自該第一床轉移至該第二床而且因此,該第一床的壓力降到大約3.11bara。該兩端再加壓能藉由將塔的頂端及該第一床的中間或底端連至該第二床的底端而進行。該塔接著逆流卸壓(步驟4)而且其後以1.32bara(其中周遭壓力為1.013bara)的主要產物氣
體逆流洗淨(步驟5)。接著該洗淨步驟,該塔隨後透過均壓(步驟6和7)及增壓(步驟8)步驟增壓以回到使前述循環的初始化而且重現的壓力水準。藉著所有該等步驟,整個循環在750秒內完成。自該供料氣體的淨不含O2(大部分)的氬回收率係47.93%而且生產力係36.33Nm3/h/m3床(圖3B)。這證實所提出的製程能用以於低溫下自供料氣體移除O2。N2的進一步移除能任意地藉由蒸餾或該PSA中的第二層吸附劑完成。
實施例2:藉由NaCHA(1.6)的冷蒸氣PSA生產氬
在圖1及2所描述的運用圖2所示的二床、8步驟冷氬PSA製程之方法及系統係用以使用NaCHA(1.6)吸附劑來計算呈主產物(Ar)回收率形式的製程效率指標及生產力。各個填充115.4kg吸附劑的吸附床係2.44m長及0.30m直徑。該PSA循環係分別於4.96bara及-100℃的壓力及溫度下循著圖2所示的順序操作。假設該床已經事先藉著主要產物氣體(純化的Ar)加壓至該循環的最高壓力水準,將含有94.95莫耳% Ar、5莫耳% O2及剩下部分的N2的供料氣體混合物引入該床的入口端而且將該未被吸附的氣體(大部分為Ar)自該床的出口端排出。該供料步驟係持續到優先被吸附的組分(O2)的質傳帶達到該床的出口端而不會實質上貫穿該床。使該供料步驟(步驟1)期間的流速保持於32.77Nm3/h,而且處於近乎供料壓力和溫度的含有2.0ppm O2的流出氣體係於15.55Nm3/h的速率下自該產物槽(槽A)抽出當作物流11(圖2)。於該供料步驟結束時,該床係連著在進行均壓再增壓
步驟(步驟6)的第二床,而且有一部分無用的及脫附的氣體自該第一床的產物端被轉移至該第二床的產物端,從而使該第一床壓力於此步驟(步驟2)最終時降至大約4.36bara。接著步驟2,導入兩端均衡卸壓步驟(圖2中的步驟3)以將更多共吸附及無用的氣體從該床兩端自該第一床轉移至該第二床而且因此,該第一床的壓力降到大約3.12bara。該兩端再加壓能藉由將塔的頂端及該第一床的中間或底端連至該第二床的底端而進行。該塔接著逆流卸壓(步驟4)而且其後以1.32bara(其中周遭壓力為1.013bara)的主要產物氣體逆流洗淨(步驟5)。接著該洗淨步驟,該塔隨後透過均壓(步驟6和7)及增壓(步驟8)步驟增壓以回到使前述循環的初始化而且重現的壓力水準。藉著所有該等步驟,整個循環在550秒內完成。自該供料氣體的淨不含O2(大部分)的氬回收率係49.97%而且生產力係43.74Nm3/h/m3床(圖3C)。這證實所提出的製程能用以於低溫下自供料氣體移除O2。N2的進一步移除能任意地藉由蒸餾或該PSA中的第二層吸附劑完成。
比較例:藉由周遭溫度PSA配合CMS生產氬。
以上討論的2床、8步驟PSA製程搭配4A沸石及NaCHA(1.6)吸附劑係用於使用CMS的製程效能評估。不像前述實施例,該CMS為基礎的製程於周遭溫度下操作。除此之外,最高和最低壓力水準係分別保持於大約7.22bara及1.15bara。因此藉著於20℃的供料溫度下的CMS,自該供料氣體的淨不含O2(大部分)的氬回收率係31.20%而且生產力係30.97Nm3/h/m3床(圖3A)。(此製程係描述於准予Graham,等
人的美國專利第7,501,009號,在此以引用的方式將其全文併入本文。)
圖3A至3C顯示實施例1、2及比較例各自運用上述循環步驟的PSA模擬結果。其顯示拿冷4A及冷NaCHA(1.6)與周遭溫度CMS相比當作溫度函數的回收率及生產力效益。最適生產力發生於大約-100℃,其中於此溫度下的回收率比周遭溫度CMS氬PSA更好相當多。與CMS的7.22bara供料壓力相比,冷沸石氬PSA的模擬效能也僅在5bara供料壓力便能達成。此較低供料壓力能於低溫蒸餾設備中由靜態液體高差壓力(static liquid head pressure)輕易達成。該7.22bara供料壓力需要另一壓縮器。這些效能效益造成下列商業利益:
1)氬回收率從CMS的約30%改善至沸石的約50%。因此能減少回到該蒸餾塔的再循環。
2)氬生產力獲得改善(例如,兩倍),使床尺寸及成本降低,而且能以較大設備進行粗製氬純化。
3)若運用再循環回到該蒸餾塔,便能消除可燃性碳粒子於富含O2的環境中的安全議題。省去存於CMS氬PSA中的過濾器,造成降低的設備及投資支出。
4)使供料壓力降至不需要壓縮器的水準。顯著降低投資、操作及保養成本。
本發明已經對照數個示範具體實施例作描述。然
而,本發明的範疇應該由後面的申請專利範圍來確定。舉例來說,種種不同系統組件配置中的任何者皆能用以進行該等方法並且達成期望的結果,而且該系統及方法能單獨或當作較大系統或方法的部分實施。
100‧‧‧粗製氬來源
110‧‧‧冷加壓粗製氬流
120‧‧‧冷氬變壓吸附製程
130A‧‧‧PSA床
130B‧‧‧PSA床
140‧‧‧富含氬的產物流
150‧‧‧廢物流
Claims (27)
- 一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含:提供於-186℃至-20℃的溫度下的加壓粗製氬蒸氣流;將該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流引進含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑的變壓吸附設備而且於-186℃至-20℃的溫度下操作該變壓吸附設備;自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氬的產物;及使該氧選擇性沸石於大於優勢的周遭壓力的壓力下再生;其中該變壓吸附設備除非是壓力變化或吸附/脫附的函數關係否則在操作期間的操作溫度未被提高。
- 如請求項1之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流來自空氣蒸餾製程而且由粗製氬塔的頂部或頂部附近生產,該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流具有包含氧、氮及50莫耳%至99.5莫耳%氬的組成。
- 如請求項1之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流包含氧、約70莫耳%至約97莫耳%氬及約0.5莫耳%氮。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下被引進該變壓吸附設備,而且於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下操作該變壓吸附設備。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於 -130℃至-80℃的溫度下被引進該變壓吸附設備而且於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下操作該變壓吸附設備。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於2bara至20bara的供料壓力下被引進該變壓吸附設備。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流於2bara至8bara的供料壓力下被引進該變壓吸附設備。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自4A型沸石及鈉交換型菱沸石。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係具有1.3至1.8的Si/Al比之鈉交換型菱沸石。
- 如請求項9之方法,其中該鈉交換型菱沸石具有約1.6的Si/Al比。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該變壓吸附設備也包含一或更多用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石。
- 如請求項11之方法,其中該等用於移除氮的以平衡為基礎的沸石係選自鈉X型沸石、鈣X型沸石、鈣交換A型沸石(CaA或5A)或其組合。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中在該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流引進該變壓吸附設備以前,該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的至少一部分被提高壓力而形成一欲被供給該變壓吸附設備的壓縮含氬流。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係通過自空氣蒸餾製程以低壓蒸氣型式抽走一粗製氬,將該低壓粗製氬蒸氣暖化並且將該暖化的低壓粗製氬蒸氣壓縮至2bara至8bara而形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣。
- 如請求項14之方法,其另外包含將該加壓粗製氬蒸氣冷卻至-186℃至-20℃。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係通過自空氣蒸餾製程以低壓蒸氣型式抽走粗製氬並且將該低壓粗製氬蒸氣直接壓縮至2bara至8bara以形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣。
- 如請求項16之方法,其另外包含,調整該加壓粗製氬蒸氣的溫度至-186℃至-20℃。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的產生係通過自空氣蒸餾製程以一低壓液體型式抽走粗製氬,將該低壓粗製氬液體的壓力提高至2bara至8bara,並且將該加 壓粗製氬液體汽化形成該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流。
- 如請求項18之方法,其另外包含調整該加壓粗製氬蒸氣流的溫度至-186℃至-20℃。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中將該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑再生係於高於優勢的周遭壓力約0.1bar至約0.5bar的壓力下進行。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其中將該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑再生包含自該變壓吸附設備抽走富含氧的氣體及使其再循環回到低溫蒸餾塔。
- 如請求項1項之方法,其另外包含將該富含氬的產物供入一蒸餾塔以移除氮。
- 一種用於生產純化氬產物之方法,該方法包含:提供來自第一低溫蒸餾塔的加壓粗製氬流;使該加壓粗製氬流汽化;於-186℃至-20℃的溫度及2bara至8bara的供料壓力下將該汽化粗製氬流引進含有氧選擇性沸石吸附劑的變壓吸附(PSA)設備;於-186℃至-20℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備;自該PSA設備抽走富含氬的產物;而且 於大於優勢的周遭壓力的壓力下將該氧選擇性沸石再生;其中該變壓吸附設備除非是壓力變化或吸附/脫附的函數關係否則在操作期間的操作溫度未被提高。
- 如請求項23之方法,其中該汽化粗製氬流於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下被引至該PSA設備,而且於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備。
- 如請求項23之方法,其中該汽化粗製氬流於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下被引至該PSA設備,而且於-130℃至-80℃的溫度下操作該PSA設備。
- 如請求項23項之方法,其中該氧選擇性沸石吸附劑係選自4A沸石、鈉交換型菱沸石或其組合。
- 一種用於生產氬氣之系統,該系統包含:包含至少二吸附床的變壓吸附(PSA)設備,各吸附床含有適合於-150℃至-50℃的溫度下使用的氧選擇性沸石吸附劑。
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| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US15/049,704 US9708188B1 (en) | 2016-02-22 | 2016-02-22 | Method for argon production via cold pressure swing adsorption |
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| TW201730102A true TW201730102A (zh) | 2017-09-01 |
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| TW106105485A TW201730102A (zh) | 2016-02-22 | 2017-02-18 | 藉由冷變壓吸附的氬生產方法 |
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| US (1) | US9708188B1 (zh) |
| EP (1) | EP3208563A1 (zh) |
| KR (1) | KR20170098717A (zh) |
| CN (1) | CN107101457A (zh) |
| SG (1) | SG10201701230UA (zh) |
| TW (1) | TW201730102A (zh) |
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| US10646848B2 (en) | 2017-09-28 | 2020-05-12 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | RHO adsorbent compositions, methods of making and using them |
| US10343139B2 (en) | 2017-09-28 | 2019-07-09 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Processes using improved RHO adsorbent compositions |
| GB201818896D0 (en) * | 2018-11-20 | 2019-01-02 | Gas Recovery And Recycle Ltd | Gas recovery method |
| ES3053808T3 (en) * | 2019-12-13 | 2026-01-26 | Chemetics Inc | Integrated ammonia and sulfuric acid production plant and process |
| FR3107842B1 (fr) * | 2020-03-03 | 2022-01-28 | Air Liquide | Procédé et appareil de distillation adsorptive pour la séparation cryogénique Argon-Oxygène |
| CN114130155B (zh) * | 2021-11-09 | 2022-11-29 | 西南化工研究设计院有限公司 | 一种低温吸附精制高纯、超纯气体的方法 |
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| US2810454A (en) | 1953-12-24 | 1957-10-22 | Union Carbide Corp | Argon purification |
| GB1446201A (en) | 1973-01-08 | 1976-08-18 | Air Prod & Chem | Purification of inert gases |
| SU516410A1 (ru) | 1973-12-06 | 1976-06-05 | Ленинградский технологический институт холодильной промышленности | Способ очистки аргона |
| DE3214771A1 (de) * | 1982-04-21 | 1983-10-27 | Bergwerksverband Gmbh, 4300 Essen | Verfahren zur gewinnung von edelgasen mit kleinen atomdurchmessern, insbesondere helium, aus sauerstoff und/oder stickstoff enthaltenden gasgemischen |
| JPS61163107A (ja) * | 1985-01-11 | 1986-07-23 | Hitachi Ltd | アルゴンの製造装置 |
| US4732584A (en) * | 1986-05-22 | 1988-03-22 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Process for the purification of permanent gases using chabazite adsorbents |
| US4732580A (en) * | 1986-10-01 | 1988-03-22 | The Boc Group, Inc. | Argon and nitrogen coproduction process |
| US5026532A (en) * | 1989-04-06 | 1991-06-25 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Process for the preparation of an improved chabazite for the purification of bulk gases |
| DE3924163A1 (de) * | 1989-07-21 | 1991-01-24 | Henkel Kgaa | Beschichtungsverfahren |
| US5159816A (en) | 1991-05-14 | 1992-11-03 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Method of purifying argon through cryogenic adsorption |
| US5169413A (en) * | 1991-10-07 | 1992-12-08 | Praxair Technology Inc. | Low temperature pressure swing adsorption with refrigeration |
| US5266102A (en) * | 1992-09-23 | 1993-11-30 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | O2 VSA process with low O2 capacity adsorbents |
| US5313800A (en) | 1993-02-01 | 1994-05-24 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Process for maximizing the recovery of argon from an air separation system at high argon recovery rates |
| NZ264478A (en) * | 1993-09-30 | 1996-10-28 | Boc Group Inc | Argon purification using temperature swing adsorption: liquid argon passed through adsorption bed at temperature between the bubble point and dew point |
| US5601634A (en) * | 1993-09-30 | 1997-02-11 | The Boc Group, Inc. | Purification of fluids by adsorption |
| US5730003A (en) | 1997-03-26 | 1998-03-24 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Cryogenic hybrid system for producing high purity argon |
| US6240744B1 (en) | 1999-12-13 | 2001-06-05 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Process for distillation of multicomponent fluid and production of an argon-enriched stream from a cryogenic air separation process |
| US6527831B2 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2003-03-04 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Argon purification process |
| US6500235B2 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2002-12-31 | Praxair Technology, Inc. | Pressure swing adsorption process for high recovery of high purity gas |
| US6544318B2 (en) * | 2001-02-13 | 2003-04-08 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | High purity oxygen production by pressure swing adsorption |
| GB0216914D0 (en) * | 2002-07-19 | 2002-08-28 | Air Prod & Chem | Process and apparatus for treating a feed gas |
| US7501009B2 (en) | 2006-03-10 | 2009-03-10 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Combined cryogenic distillation and PSA for argon production |
| CN201930684U (zh) * | 2010-09-29 | 2011-08-17 | 中国舰船研究设计中心 | 氧氩混合气非深冷变压吸附分离装置 |
| US9669349B1 (en) * | 2016-02-22 | 2017-06-06 | Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. | Modified chabazite adsorbent compositions, methods of making and using them |
-
2016
- 2016-02-22 US US15/049,704 patent/US9708188B1/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-02-15 EP EP17156343.0A patent/EP3208563A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-02-16 SG SG10201701230UA patent/SG10201701230UA/en unknown
- 2017-02-18 TW TW106105485A patent/TW201730102A/zh unknown
- 2017-02-21 CN CN201710093411.3A patent/CN107101457A/zh active Pending
- 2017-02-21 KR KR1020170023095A patent/KR20170098717A/ko not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3208563A1 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
| SG10201701230UA (en) | 2017-09-28 |
| KR20170098717A (ko) | 2017-08-30 |
| CN107101457A (zh) | 2017-08-29 |
| US9708188B1 (en) | 2017-07-18 |
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