Air separation
US5582031A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/924
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Air is compressed in a compressor, cooled in a main heat exchanger, partially condensed in a reboiler-condenser, introduced into a higher pressure rectifier, and separated therein into nitrogen and oxygen-enriched liquid. Resulting nitrogen is condensed in further reboiler-condensers. One part of the condensate is used as reflux in the higher pressure rectifier and another part as reflux in a lower pressure rectifier. A stream of oxygen-enriched liquid is withdrawn from the high pressure rectifier and sent to an intermediate pressure rectifier which is reboiled by one of the further reboiler-condensers and in which further nitrogen is separated. A stream of liquid further enriched in oxygen is withdrawn from the bottom of the intermediate pressure rectifier and is separated in the lower pressure rectifier and impure and pure oxygen products are withdrawn respectively therefrom. In addition an argon-enriched oxygen stream is withdrawn from the lower pressure rectifier through an outlet and separated in an argon rectifier. Further impure oxygen product is withdrawn from the bottom of the argon rectifier.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.