Cryogenic air separation process and apparatus
US5996373A · kind A · utility
4Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2290/62
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A cryogenic air separation process and apparatus in a distillation column having a top condenser. Air is compressed, purified and cooled to a temperature suitable for distillation. The air is separated in a distillation column so that an oxygen-enriched liquid and a nitrogen-enriched gas are produced within the column. A stream of cryogenic liquid is sent to the column and an oxygen-enriched liquid is sent from the column to the condenser. The flow rate of cryogenic liquid is regulated as a function of the level of oxygen-enriched liquid at the bottom of the column, and a product stream is withdrawn from the column.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.