Use of structured packing in a multi-sectioned air seperation unit
US5644932A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/906
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is a process for the cryogenic separation of air to recover at least one of its constituent components, which is carried out in an air separation unit having at least one distillation column; wherein the distillation column has at least two mass transfer sections, wherein, in each mass transfer section, a flow of vapor and a flow of liquid are counter-currently contacted to accomplish mass transfer and the flow of vapor or liquid or vapor and liquid is different in one section as compared to the other section; wherein contact of the flows of vapor and liquid in each mass transfer section is accomplished using a structured packing; wherein the structured packing comprises elements which are corrugated with substantially parallel corrugations, wherein the parallel corrugations have a longitudinal axis at an angle .beta. relative to horizontal and wherein each corrugation when approximated to be a triangular cross-section has a crimp angle .alpha. defined by the two sides of the corrugation; characterized in that the structured packing used in each mass transfer section have different angles .alpha. and/or .beta. selected such that each mass transfer section is o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.