Air separation

Details Air separation Air separation

1992-01-10

1993-05-04

Capossela, Ronald C.

Refrigeration

Processes

Circulating external gas

62 39, F25J 302

Patent

active

052070670

ABSTRACT:
Air is compressed in a first compressor and has carbon dioxide and water vapor removed therefrom in a purification apparatus. The air is then cooled by passage through main heat exchangers and to a temperature suitable for its separation by rectification. The cooled air is separated in a single rectification column. Liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the column by a pump and is passed through the heat exchangers and countercurrently to the air stream and is thereby vaporized, a high pressure gaseous oxygen product thus being formed. Nitrogen vapor is withdrawn from the top of the column through an outlet is warmed by passage through a further heat exchanger and the heat exchanger. The nitrogen is then divided. One part is further warmed in the heat exchanger, is compressed in a compressor, and is returned through the head exchangers as a heat exchange stream countercurrently to the oxygen product stream. The other part of the nitrogen is expanded in a turbine with the performance of external work and is employed to provide cooling for the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is used to sub-cool a liquid nitrogen stream which is introduced into the column through an inlet as reflux for the column. The compressor operates at a relatively low pressure enabling plate-fin heat exchangers to be employed.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4867773 (1989-09-01), Thorogood et al.
patent: 4927441 (1990-05-01), Agrawal

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