Process and installation for the production of ultra-pure oxygen by distillation of air

US6536233B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude · FR

Inventors

• Bernard Darredeau · Sartrouville, FR
• Alain Briglia · Corzé, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2002
• Grant date: Mar 25, 2003
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S62/905
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A mixture containing oxygen is introduced into a distillation column (1); an intermediate stream, substantially free from impurities heavier than oxygen, is withdrawn (at 17) at a level of the column located above the point (4) of introduction of the air, the point (22) of withdrawal being separated from this point (4) of introduction by a distillation section (6), particularly with packing; the stream withdrawn (at 17) is sent to an oxygen purification column (2), and a reflux liquid is distributed over the section (6) by a distributor (9). A predetermined non-uniformity of the distribution of the reflux liquid over the upper surface (8) of the section (6) is effected in at least one localized region (23) of this surface.