Process for the separation of air
US4662916A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/939
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is set forth for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation in a single column to produce a nitrogen product and an oxygen-enriched product. In the process, at least a portion of the nitrogen product is compressed and recycled to provide reboil at the bottom of the distillation column and to provide some additional reflux to the upper portion of the column. In addition, part of the compressed feed air stream is expanded to provide work, which is used to drive an auxiliary compressor for feed air substream compression.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.