System and method for recovery of neon and helium from an air separation unit
US10408536B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2250/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system and method for neon recovery in a double column or triple column air separation unit is provided. The neon recovery system comprises a non-condensable stripping column configured to produce a liquid nitrogen-rich liquid column bottoms and a non-condensable gas containing overhead and one or more condensing units arranged to produce a crude neon vapor stream that contains greater than about 50% mole fraction of neon with the overall neon recovery exceeding 95%. In addition, there is minimal liquid nitrogen consumption and since much of the liquid nitrogen is recycled back to the lower pressure column of the air separation unit, there is minimal impact on the recovery of other products from the air separation unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.