Method and apparatus for producing oxygen
US5490391A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2235/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An air separation apparatus and method for producing a gaseous oxygen product at a delivery pressure. A, filtered, compressed and purified air stream is formed and preferably divided into first and second air streams. The air contained within the first air stream is separated by a low temperature rectification process operating in accordance with a Claude cycle to produce liquid oxygen in a lower pressure column with a double column air separation unit. A Claude expander expands at least a major portion of the air contained within the first air stream into the high pressure column. The second air stream is compressed and partially cooled and is then expanded with the performance of work which is in turn applied to the work of compression of the second air stream. Liquid oxygen is pumped from the lower pressure column to substantially the delivery pressure and is vaporized within a mixing column against the second air stream which is also introduced into the mixing column. A liquid stream composed of the liquid produced in the mixing column is then introduced into an intermediate location of the lower pressure column to add the refrigeration of the second air stream to the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.