Method and apparatus for producing nitrogen from air by cryogenic distillation

a technology of cryogenic distillation and air, which is applied in the direction of lighting and heating apparatus, refrigeration and liquid storage, solidification, etc., can solve the problem that simple two-column systems do not necessarily have lower unit energy requirements, and achieve high nitrogen recovery, low unit energy consumption, and high nitrogen recovery

Inactive Publication Date: 2001-10-25
AIR WATER GAS SOLUTIONS INC
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  • Abstract
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  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0005] An object of the invention is to provide a process for a two-column cryogenic distillation of air which achieves high nitrogen recovery, low unit energy consumption, and, though nitrogen is produced by each distillation column operating at different pressures, the product gaseous nitrogen is delivered at a single pressure, a desirable and convenient feature, while maintaining high nitrogen recovery and low unit energy consumption.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, simple two-column systems do not necessarily have lower unit energy requirements than improved single column systems.

Method used

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  • Method and apparatus for producing nitrogen from air by cryogenic distillation
  • Method and apparatus for producing nitrogen from air by cryogenic distillation

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Embodiment Construction

[0026] A process for the recovery of substantially pure nitrogen at a rate of 2687 Nm3 / hr at a pressure of 4.9 atma is conducted in accordance with FIG. 1. Nm3 / hr refers to the flow rate of a substance measured as a gas at 0 C. and 1 atma. C. refers to temperature in degrees Celsius; atma refers to pressure in absolute atmospheres. K refers to temperature in degrees Kelvin.

[0027] A feed air flow of 4632 Nm3 / hr was compressed to a pressure of 5.2 atma, aftercooled to about ambient temperature, its water condensate removed, and passed to an adsorption unit for removal of water and carbon dioxide, and possibly other contaminants. The purified air 101 was passed to main heat exchanger 11 where it was cooled to approximately its dew point, producing a small amount of liquid. Air 105 entered the bottom of high pressure column 13 at 98.6 K and 5.05 atma. The high pressure column is internally made up of structured packing for mass transfer.

[0028] Gaseous nitrogen at a 94.1 K and 5.0 atma e...

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Abstract

Nitrogen gas at a single pressure is produced from a two-column cryogenic distillation of air. The bottoms liquid product from the high pressure column is divided into portions, at least one of which does not enter the low pressure column as a feed stream. By these means, a portion of an oxygen-rich stream is removed from the distillation, further enhancing nitrogen recovery and achieving low specific energy consumption for nitrogen product.

Description

[0001] Nitrogen is among the most heavily produced and used chemicals. It finds application in the petroleum, glass, foods, electronics, pharmaceutical, and metals industries. Cryogenic separation of air is a principal means of producing nitrogen.[0002] Cryogenic air separation plants, chiefly for the production of gaseous nitrogen, exist in a number of configurations. These, in turn, group around single distillation column and double distillation column designs. There are many variations of these designs in each category. In most cases the objective is to produce nitrogen at the lowest energy consumption for any given delivery pressure; but aspects such as capital cost and particular features of convenience are equally important.[0003] A simple single-column system has a relatively low nitrogen recovery, the balance of the air being discharged as an impure product containing a substantial amount of nitrogen. Means have been suggested in more complex designs for increasing the nitro...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F25J3/04
CPCF25J3/04254F25J3/04284F25J3/04424F25J3/04884F25J2205/02F25J2210/42F25J2235/42F25J2245/42F25J2250/20F25J2250/40F25J2250/52F25J3/04212F25J3/0423F25J2200/20F25J2250/02F25J2250/10F25J2250/42
Inventor MOSTELLO, ROBERT ANTHONY
Owner AIR WATER GAS SOLUTIONS INC
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