Patent · US Expired

Air separation method to produce gaseous product

US6357259B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
6References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 2000
Grant dateMar 19, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S62/913
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of producing a gaseous product, for instance gaseous oxygen in accordance with a cyclical demand pattern having high and low periods of demand. During periods of high demand, liquid is vaporized against condensing air which is in turn stored. During low demand periods, product is accumulated and previously stored liquid air is introduced into the column. During both high and low periods of demand liquid product is drawn to reduce the percentage variance in the required flow rate to the booster compressor used in producing the air to be liquefied. Preferably, during periods of high demand, a turbine used in generating refrigeration can be turned down to increase the amount of air available for condensation and with a reduction in production of liquid product.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.