Method for designing a cryogenic air separation plant

Abstract

A method for designing a cryogenic air separation plant wherein a particular plant which fits into a certain classification is designed by first employing at least one predesigned subsystem for that classification to form a base system and then completing the design by adding to the base system at least one auxiliary subsystem designed specifically for that particular plant.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates generally to cryogenic air separation and, more particularly,. to designing a cryogenic air separation plant. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A cryogenic air separation plant is a very complicated process plant which includes many different units and subsystems such as distillation columns, condensers, reboilers, prepurification systems, air compression systems, liquid pumps, heat exchangers, storage tanks, process control systems, buildings and other infrastructure. Accordingly, the designing of a cryogenic air separation plant is a complicated and thus costly endeavor which adds significantly to the overall costs of the plant beyond the equipment and construction costs. This is because in most cases each particular cryogenic air separation plant must be specifically designed. Rarely will an existing design for a previously constructed cryogenic air separation plant be exactly suited for use in the construction of a new cryogenic air separation p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] As used herein the term “engineered component” means a fully designed unit that performs at least one process step that is part of an overall process comprising heat exchange, distillation, compression and/or purification. Examples of engineered components include feed pretreat

Problems solved by technology

A cryogenic air separation plant is a very complicated process plant which includes many different units and subsystems such as distillation columns, condensers, reboilers, prepurification systems, air compression systems, liquid pumps, heat exchangers, storage tanks, process control systems, buildings and other infrastructure.

Accordingly, the designing of a cryogenic air separation plant is a complicated and thus costly endeavor which adds significantly to the overall costs of the plant beyond the equipment and construction costs.

Rarely will an existing design for a previously constructed cryogenic air separation plant be exactly suited for use in the construction of a new cryogenic air separation plant.

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