Process and apparatus for producing nitrogen and oxygen
US5305610A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/91
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is a separation process for atmospheric gases. In the process, an atmospheric gas stream, for example air, is compressed and may be partly condensed prior to introduction into a vortex tube air separator. The performance of the tube separation can be upgraded, i.e. by improving the concentration and/or purity of the main oxygen stream, by enhancing the separator efficiency of the vortex tube (VT) apparatus. One approach is by selectively refrigerating the cold end of the tube with partial recycle of nitrogen gas waste stream, effecting a rectification section. Another approach is to increase the heat transfer between the outlet gas stream and the liquid film flowing along the curvilinear periphery of the separator means, by mechanical innovations in its configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.