Liquid vapor contact method and apparatus
US4717409A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/924
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a process for the separation of argon from a gaseous mixture comprising argon, nitrogen and oxygen by fractional distillation in a plurality of distillation zones, first and second fluid streams comprising nitrogen and oxygen, respectively, drawn from the same or different distillation zones, are introduced into different regions of a liquid-vapor contact and mixing zone. There is established in the contact and mixing zone a liquid flow that becomes progressively richer in nitrogen and a vapor flow that becomes progressively richer in oxygen. A mixed waste stream containing both oxygen and nitrogen is withdrawn from an intermediate point in the contact and mixing zone thereby enhancing its efficiency. Vaporous oxygen from the warmer end of the contact and mixing zone is condensed and returned to the mixing zone to enhance its reflux and/or may be passed into a distillation zone. The fluid in the contact and mixing zone may be utilized therein or in the distillation zone for heating or refrigeration through heat transfer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.