Air separation
US5331818A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/94
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Air is rectified in a rectification system comprising a higher pressure rectification column, an intermediate pressure rectification column, and a lower pressure rectification column. A first reboiler-condenser provides liquid nitrogen reflux for the higher pressure rectification column and for the lower pressure rectification column and also reboils the intermediate pressure rectification column. Another reboiler-condenser provides liquid nitrogen reflux for the intermediate pressure rectification column and reboils the lower pressure rectification column. Air is fed to the higher pressure rectification column through a pair of inlets. A first oxygen product is withdrawn from the intermediate pressure rectification column by a pump. Gaseous nitrogen products are withdrawn from the intermediate and lower pressure rectification columns through a pair of outlets thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.