Air separation
US5666822A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/924
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Air is raised in pressure by a compressor and pre-purified by removal of impurities, particularly H.sub.2 O vapor and CO.sub.2, in an adsorption unit. The resulting air is cooled in a heat exchanger, and is subjected to a first rectification in a rectification column in which the air is separated into a nitrogen-rich fraction and an oxygen-rich fraction. A further oxygen fraction enriched in argon is subjected to a second rectification in which argon is separated from oxygen in a second rectification column. First and second argon products of different purity are withdrawn from the second rectification column through outlets thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.