Process and apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen
US6539748B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S62/913
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process and apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen (“GOX”) in which compressed and purified feed air (1) is cooled and at least partially condensed in heat exchange means (E1) having a warm end and a cold end and the cooled and at least partially condensed feed air (2) is then distilled in a cryogenic distillation column system (C1, C2). A liquid oxygen (“LOX”) product stream (8) is removed from the column system (C1, C2) and vaporized and warmed by heat exchange (E1) to produce GOX. LOX refrigerant (10) from an external source is used to provide a portion of the refrigeration duty required for the cooling and at least partial condensation of the feed air stream (1). The LOX refrigerant is injected into the heat exchange means (E1) either:(a) at a pressure greater than that of the LOX product entering the heat exchange means (E1); or(b) at a pressure substantially equal to that of the LOX product entering the heat exchange means and at an intermediate point between the warm and cold ends where the temperature of the heat exchange means is above the boiling temperature of the LOX refrigerant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.