Method of operating a production plant and production plant

US7502667B2 · 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

• Alain Guillard · Houston, US
• Patrick Le Bot · Saint-Mandé, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 2003
• Grant date: Mar 10, 2009
• Expiry date: May 31, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/20
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Production plants for treating gas mixtures and methods of their operation. The plant's treatment unit is operated in periods when the cost of electricity is either above a first level or below a second level. At some point when the cost is below the second level, part of the fluid is stored in a storage tank. This stored liquid is supplied to the customer when the cost is above the first level. When the cost is below the second level, a fluid with predefined properties is produced by the treatment unit. When the cost is above the first level, the power consumption of the treatment unit is reduced and a less ideal fluid is produced.