Air separation
US5609041A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2245/40
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A first flow of air is compressed in a first air compressor associated with a gas turbine and is purified in an adsorptive purification unit which separates water vapour and carbon dioxide from the air. The purified first flow of air is further compressed to a pressure at least 5 bar higher than that at which it is purified in a second air compressor whose outlet pressure is independent of fluctuations in the power output of the gas turbine, is cooled in a main heat exchanger, is passed through an expansion valve, and is introduced into a higher pressure rectification column. A second flow of air is compressed in a third air compressor which is independent of the gas turbine. The compressed second flow of air is purified in an adsorptive purification unit by the separation of water vapour and carbon dioxide therefrom. The purified second flow of air is cooled in the main heat exchanger and is introduced into the higher pressure rectification column. The air flows are rectified in the higher pressure rectification column and an associated lower pressure rectification column operating at pressures above 2 bar. A nitrogen product is withdrawn from the top of the lower pressure rectifi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.