Process and apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation
US12078415B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2270/02
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprises a column system, a heat exchanger, a turbine, means for sending compressed and purified air at a first pressure to be cooled at the first pressure in the heat exchanger, means for sending a first gaseous stream having a nitrogen content at least that of air to be cooled and liquefied or pseudo liquefied in the heat exchanger to form a liquefied stream, means for sending at least part of the liquefied stream to be warmed and vaporized in the heat exchanger to a first intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger to form a vaporized stream, means for removing the vaporized stream from an intermediate section of the heat exchanger, a conduit for sending the vaporized stream to be expanded, in the turbine to form an expanded stream, a conduit for sending at least part of the expanded stream to the column system, a conduit for sending a second gaseous stream having the same nitrogen content as the first stream to be cooled in the heat exchanger, means for removing at least part of the second gaseous stream from an intermediate section of the heat exchanger at a second intermediate temperature and sending the sec…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.