Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen and/or gaseous nitrogen under pressure by distillation of air
US5412953A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 9, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P80/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Process and installation for the production of gaseous oxygen and/or gaseous nitrogen under pressure, of the type in which air is distilled in a double distillation column (11) comprising a low pressure column (13) operating under a so-called low pressure, and a medium pressure column (12) operating under a so-called medium pressure. All the air to be distilled is compressed (in 1, 3, 7)to at least one high air pressure substantially greater than the medium pressure, and the compressed air is cooled to an intermediate temperature, and a portion of it is expanded in a turbine (8) to the medium pressure, before introducing it into the medium pressure column (12). The air which has not been expanded is liquefied, then introduced after expansion (in 20, 21), into the double column. At least one liquid product withdrawn from the double column is brought to the production pressure, and this liquid product is vaporized by heat exchange with at least one portion of the air to be distilled in the course of cooling. An additional cycle fluid withdrawn from the double column (11) or destined for this latter, is reheated, compressed (in 3; 30, 31) to a high cycle pressure, cooled, a fraction t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.