Air separation
US5862680A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/924
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Air is separated in an arrangement of rectification columns comprising a double rectification column having a higher pressure column and a lower pressure rectification column, an intermediate pressure rectification column, and a side rectification column communicating with the lower pressure column. The side rectification column is provided with a condenser and the intermediate pressure rectification column with a reboiler and a further condenser. A stream of oxygen-enriched liquid is withdrawn from the bottom of the higher pressure column through an outlet and is separated in the intermediate pressure rectification column. The reboiler is heated by a stream typically withdrawn from the side rectification column through an outlet thereof. The condensers of the side rectification column and the intermediate column are cooled by streams having different oxygen mole fractions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.