Method and appliance for separating air by cryogenic distillation
US9140491B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2250/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a method for separating air in a column system, by cryogenic distillation, compressed, purified and cooled air is separated in the column system in order to form an oxygen-enriched flow and a nitrogen-enriched flow. At least one column of the column system contains a vaporizer-condenser for ensuring the vaporization of a liquid enriched in oxygen in relation to the air by means of heat exchange with a calorigenic fluid, the calorigenic fluid having been compressed upstream of the vaporizer-condenser in a compressor having a cryogenic inlet temperature, the calorigenic fluid being at least partially condensed in the vaporizer-condenser, and a cryogenic liquid is added to the calorigenic fluid upstream of the vaporizer-condenser.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.