Refrigeration – Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture – Separation of gas mixture
Patent
1996-03-20
1997-08-19
Kilner, Christopher
Refrigeration
Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture
Separation of gas mixture
62924, F25J 304
Patent
active
056576447
ABSTRACT:
A stream of precooled and purified air is introduced into a double rectification column comprising a higher pressure rectification column and a lower pressure rectification column and is separated therein into an oxygen-rich fraction and a nitrogen-rich fraction. A stream of argon-enriched oxygen vapour flows from the lower pressure rectification column into a side column in which argon is separated therefrom. An oxygen-enriched liquid air stream is taken from the bottom of the higher pressure rectification column. A vaporous oxygen-enriched air stream is introduced into the lower pressure rectification column above the point at which argon-enriched oxygen vapour is removed. At least part of the oxygen-enriched liquid is partially reboiled in a reboiler and is separated in a further rectification column, thereby to form a vapour depleted of oxygen and a liquid air stream further enriched in oxygen. At least one stream of the further-enriched liquid is vaporised to form the oxygen-enriched vapour that is introduced into the lower pressure rectification column. A part of the oxygen-depleted vapour is condensed and is taken as product or reintroduced into the lower pressure rectification column. The partial reboiling in the reboiler is effected by indirect heat exchange with a stream of argon-enriched oxygen vapour withdrawn from the outlet, or in an alternative process with a stream withdrawn from an intermediate region of the side column.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4533375 (1985-08-01), Erickson
patent: 4817394 (1989-04-01), Erickson
patent: 4842625 (1989-06-01), Allam et al.
patent: 5572874 (1996-11-01), Rathbone
patent: 5582031 (1996-12-01), Rathbone
Higginbotham Paul
Oakey John Douglas
Kilner Christopher
Pace Salvatore P.
Rosenblum David M.
The BOC Group plc
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