Method and system for the production of pressurized air gas by cryogenic distillation of air
US9945606B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J2240/42
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic distillation of air. In a system of air separation columns, all the air is taken to a high pressure which is 5 to 10 bar greater than a medium pressure. A portion of air, between 10% and 50% of the high pressure air stream, is boosted in a cold booster. This boosted air is then sent to an exchanger and a portion of it liquefies at the cold end of the exchanger. Part of the air is sent to one column of the column system, and another fraction is partly expanded in a Claude turbine. After expansion in the turbine, the air is sent to a medium pressure column, and a liquid stream is withdrawn for one of the columns of the system. The withdrawn stream is pressurized and vaporizes in the exchange line. The cold booster is coupled to either an expansion turbine, an electric motor, or a combination of the two.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.