Process for the separation of a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation

US5651271A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Philippe Fraysse · Fontenay-aux-Roses, FR
• Mike De L'Isle · Paris, FR
• Daniel Martin Rousseau · Villiers sur Marne, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 1995
• Grant date: Jul 29, 1997
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25J2245/42
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In order to precool a flow of gas to be distilled, before a purification stage, it is sent into an exchanger (5) where it is cooled by heating a flow of refrigerant (13B). At least a part of this refrigerant has its pressure reduced before cooling the unpurified gas and may be a fraction of the gas to be distilled or a product of the distillation. It is preferably a cycle gas of the system. This arrangement makes it possible to obviate a refrigerating unit.