Method and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture

Abstract

Title of the invention: Process and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture. In a process for separating a gaseous mixture, a first piece of process equipment (B) is heated by a first flow (15, ) of a first calorigen and supplies heat to a first fluid (D1), the first flow of calorigen being heated upstream of the first piece of equipment by a heat source (H1, H2), a second piece of process equipment (C, D) heats a second fluid (D2) by consuming heat, the heat coming from a second flow (7,11) of the first calorigen heated by the heat source which heats the second flow of the first calorigen to an intermediate temperature lower than the second temperature and by a heater (H3) downstream of the source which heats the second flow of the first calorigen, having been heated by the heat source,from the intermediate temperature up to a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and if the heat source is not available, the heater warms a flow (13) from the first heat source up to the first temperature, and the flow warmed by the heater is sent at the first temperature to the first piece of equipment. FIG. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Method and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture.

[0002] In particular, it relates to a process for separating a gaseous mixture, for example containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, in which the mixture is separated by washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation and / or solidification, for example in a column system.

[0003] The gas mixture can, for example, be air or a mixture containing at least 30% mol CO2 or at least 60% CO2, or even at least 90% CO2.

[0004] The process includes a step of heating at least one of two elements of the separation apparatus using a circuit.

[0005] Cryogenic air separation or CO2 capture processes most often involve compression followed by drying before the pre-purified gas is sent to a cryogenic chamber. This drying is typically carried out by adsorption: the impurities are adsorbed into one or more cylinders while other cylinders in parallel are regenerated by means of a hot gas (TSA). The heat supplied to the regeneration gas can come from steam or electricity.

[0006] When steam is not available or too expensive (for example during CO2 capture from flue gases from a cement plant), and / or when electricity is also expensive, thermal integration can be considered where the heat dissipated during the compression stage is used to heat water which then heats the regeneration gas.

[0007] CO2 capture processes also have heating requirements at several different temperatures.

[0008] The invention proposed here makes it possible to optimize the costs of this type of system and to continue to heat equipment to the required temperature when a heat source is failing.

[0009] State of the art

[0010] The use of an electric or steam heater for the regeneration of dryers is something very classic, being described in FR-A-2984474 and WO2019 / 127179.

[0011] For an air separation process, the use of a hot water network for Heating nitrogen is known from EP-A-2873938 and US5846295. In EP-A-2873938, the heat of compression heats the nitrogen via a water circuit to 95°C and an electric heater heats the nitrogen from 95 to 140°C.

[0012] Alternatively, the nitrogen is divided in two, one part being heated by the water circuit and the other by the heater to reach the required temperature. Apart from regeneration, the heat of compression is used to heat a building via the water circuit.

[0013] US-A-5846295 and FR-A-2830463 describe similar processes.

[0014] It is known to install a heater on hot water circuits to obtain a sufficiently high temperature when another heat source contributing to water heating is not in operation (for example, during the start-up or shutdown of the rest of the unit). This heater may be electric or use steam, for example. This heater may be switched off during normal operation.

[0015] FR-A-3116586 also knows to use hot water to vaporize cryogenic purges from the cryogenic process before their emission or use in the process.

[0016] Problem solved by the invention

[0017] The invention makes it possible to minimize the number of pieces of equipment used to heat water by combining several functions within a single device. According to one embodiment, the function of heating hot water when another heat source is not in operation is combined with the function of superheating water for another piece of equipment, for example, the heat exchanger for heating the gas for dryer regeneration.

[0018] Description of the invention

[0019] The invention mainly consists of using a heater on the hot water network, which, according to a first mode of operation, heats water for a piece of equipment when another heat source is not in operation and, according to a second mode of operation, heats the water to a temperature for that equipment and to another temperature for another piece of equipment. The heater can, for example, be an electric heater or a steam heater.

[0020] There are then different possible operating modes for this heater: • Normal operation: the water is heated by its heat source(s) (the unit's compressor, for example), but at least one of its users requires a higher temperature. In this case, the heater only provides heat for at least one user requiring a higher temperature. It is therefore necessary to install it on the branch dedicated to this at least one user in order to minimize energy consumption. of the system (compared to a configuration that would consist of heating the entire hot water cycle).

[0021] This is particularly the case for CO2 capture or air separation units, which require a high-temperature heat source for the regeneration of their dryers. It is not necessary to continuously heat the regeneration gas of the dryers (for example, during the cooling phase).

[0022] Therefore, not only can the heater be switched off during this phase, but it is also necessary to remove the excess heat from the hot water system (this hot water flow is neither heated in the heater nor used for dryer regeneration). A dedicated cooler (e.g., an atmospheric or cooling water heat exchanger) known to those skilled in the art is used for this purpose. • Start-up: When hot water is required before the heat sources that generate this hot water start up, the heater will provide the necessary heat. This is particularly the case for CO2 capture units, which require heating the treated gas before compression (especially at the outlet of the scrubber column); whereas it is this same compression that, in normal operation, provides the heat needed to heat the hot water. • Shutdown: When heating is required while the heat sources are off, the heater will heat the hot water system. This is particularly relevant for CO2 capture units that require the vaporization of purges from the cryogenic process while the compressors are stopped.

[0023] Thus, during shutdown or start-up, when the heat sources are off, low-temperature hot water consumers will be supplied with hot water after the heater. During normal operation, hot water for these users is drawn directly before the heater. A set of bypass pipes is required to accommodate these two operating modes.

[0024] However, low-temperature hot water consumers that only operate when the heat sources are also in operation are always supplied with hot water before the heater. This does not require an additional set of bypass pipes.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for separating a gaseous mixture, for example containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, wherein the mixture is separated by washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation and / or solidification in a separation system, for example a column system and i. A first piece of process equipment is heated by a first flow of a first heat source and supplies heat to a first fluid originating from or destined for the separation system. The first flow of heat source is heated upstream of the first piece of equipment by a heat source, which is at least a cooler of a compressor that compresses at least a portion of the gas mixture or a gas produced by the separation of the gas mixture. This compressor heats the flow of heat source to a first temperature. The first flow of heat source arrives at the first piece of equipment at the first temperature. ii. A second piece of process equipment heats, possibly intermittently, a second fluid originating from or destined for the separation system by consuming heat. This heat originates from a second flow of the first calorigen heated by the heat source, which heats the second flow of the first calorigen to an intermediate temperature lower than the second temperature, and from a heater downstream of the source, which reheats the second flow of the first calorigen, having been heated by the heat source, from the intermediate temperature to a second temperature higher than the first temperature. iii. If, preferably only if, the heat source is not available, the heater heats a flow from the first calorigen to the first temperature and the flow heated by the heater is sent at the first temperature to the first piece of equipment.

[0026] According to other optional aspects: • a gas is separated in an adsorption unit by temperature or pressure switching producing the gas mixture and a regeneration gas from the adsorption unit consisting of the second fluid from or intended for the separation system is heated by the second equipment. • the first piece of equipment vaporizes at least one liquid, for example a purge liquid, drawn from at least one column of the column system, this liquid constituting a first fluid from or intended for the separation system. • The first piece of equipment operates during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process and during a special operation of the process (e.g., start-up). • The second piece of equipment operates intermittently during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process and intermittently during a special operation of the process (e.g., start-up). The gas mixture is purified by adsorption in an adsorption unit upstream of the separation, and the adsorption unit is regenerated by the second fluid. The second piece of equipment operates continuously during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process and operates continuously during a special operation of the process (e.g., start-up). the gas mixture is purified of mercury in a mercury purification unit and the second fluid is a gas intended for mercury purification from the gas mixture separation process. A portion of the first heat transfer fluid heats equipment that operates only during normal operation of the separation process and not during special operations such as start-up and / or shutdown. the gas mixture compressor operates during normal operation of the separation process and not during a special operation such as start-up and / or shutdown. The gas mixture is air. the gas mixture contains at least 30% mol CO2 or at least 60% CO2, or even at least 90% CO2. at least part of the gas mixture is compressed in the compressor and then separated in the separation system. at least part of the gas mixture is separated in the separation system at a temperature below 0°C, or even below -40°C. at least part of a gas produced by the separation system is compressed in the compressor. at least part of a liquid produced by the separation system is vaporized to form a gas which is compressed in the compressor. The first heat source, cooled by the first and second equipment, is returned to the heat source to be reheated. The first heat source cooled by the first and second pieces of equipment is returned to the heat source to be reheated after a cooling stage downstream of the first and second pieces of equipment. the gas mixture contains CO2 and NOX, the column is a scrubbing column whose tank liquid is enriched in NOX compared to the gas mixture and the tank liquid is vaporized in the first piece of equipment. the first temperature is between 90 and 120°C and / or the second temperature is between 150 and 170°C. • the second temperature is higher than the first temperature by at least 30°C, preferably by at least 50°C • if, preferably only if, the heat source is not available, all the flow heated by the heater is sent at the first temperature to the first piece of equipment. • if, preferably only if, the heat source is not available, all the flow heated by the heater is sent at the first temperature to the first and second equipment. • The heat source and / or heater is an electric heating element. • The first heat source is water or oil. • the source is a refrigerant from a compressor of the gas mixture or of a gas separated by adsorption to form the gas mixture or of a gas produced by the separation of the gas mixture.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for separating a gaseous mixture, for example containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, is provided, comprising: a. a separation system to separate the mixture by partial condensation and / or washing and / or distillation and / or solidification b. a first connected piece of equipment for heating a first fluid originating from or destined for the column system c. a second connected piece of equipment to heat a second fluid originating from or destined for the column system d. a heater e. a heat source that is at least a cooler for a compressor of at least a portion of the gas mixture or gas produced by the column system f. means for sending a first flow of a first heat-generating fluid heated by the heat source from the heat source to the first piece of equipment without passing through the heater g. means for sending a second flow of the first heat-generating fluid heated by the heat source from the heat source to the heater and from the heater to the second piece of equipment h. means for sending a flow of the first heat-generating fluid from the heater to the first piece of equipment and i. means to trigger the sending of the flow of the first heat-generating fluid from the heater to the first piece of equipment as a function of a signal to stop operation of the source.

[0028] According to other optional aspects: • The device includes means for sending the first flow from the first piece of equipment to the source and means for sending the second flow from the second piece of equipment to the source. • The device includes a cooler connected upstream of the source and downstream of the first piece of equipment and / or the second piece of equipment to cool the heat-generating fluid. • The apparatus includes a purification unit upstream of the separation system to purify the gas mixture into water and possibly CO2

[0029] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figures where:

[0030] [Fig-1] represents a part of a process according to the invention.

[0031] [Fig.2] represents a variant of [Fig.1]

[0032] [Fig.3] represents another part of the process according to the invention of [Fig.1] and [Fig.2].

[0033] [Fig. 1] illustrates a heated water distribution circuit operable according to the process of the invention for a method of separating a gaseous mixture. The water distribution circuit could be a distribution circuit for another heat transfer fluid, such as oil.

[0034] The circuit comprises at least: • equipment B to be heated to a first temperature and which operates during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process and during a special operation of the process (for example, starting or stopping the process) • equipment C to be heated occasionally up to a second higher temperature than the first temperature and which operates intermittently during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process and during a special operation of the process (e.g., starting or stopping the process).

[0035] The circuit may also include equipment A to be heated to the first temperature and which operates during the normal operation of the gas mixture separation process but not during a special operation of the process (for example, starting or stopping the process).

[0036] Heat sources H1, H2 can be coolers for a compressor of at least a portion of the gas mixture to be separated, before or after purification to remove water, or for a compressor of a product of the gas separation from the gas mixture. The water is heated in at least one of the heat sources H1, H2, producing a flow rate of hot water at a first temperature, for example, 110°C. In this example, the two heat sources H1, H2 are connected in parallel.

[0037] At least a part of the gaseous mixture, which may be for example air or a mixture comprising at least 30% mol CO2 or at least 60% CO2, or even at least 90% CO2, is compressed in a compressor which may be the compressor having the coolers Hl, H2 and is then separated by washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation.

[0038] Otherwise the compressor having the coolers Hl, H2 can be a compressor of a gas produced by the washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation and / or solidification of the gas mixture, for example nitrogen produced by air separation or separation of a gas mixture containing at least 30% mol of CO2 and nitrogen.

[0039] In this particular case, the heated water is distributed to two users B, C and possibly to user A.

[0040] User B is equipment requiring low temperature heat to reach the first temperature (for example about 110°C) in normal operation but also requiring a heat input, during a period when the heat source H1, H2 is not operating, to reach the first temperature.

[0041] For example, if the heat source H1, H2 is a compressor of the gas mixture, for example air, a gas containing at least 30% mol CO2, at least 60% mol CO2, or even at least 90% mol CO2, or a compressor of a gas produced by separating the gas mixture, as mentioned above, the heat source does not operate during shutdown or startup phases. However, during these periods, the user B must receive water heated to the initial temperature.

[0042] User B heats a first fluid from or intended for the separation system, for example the column system.

[0043] User B could, for example, be a purge vaporizer from an air or gaseous mixture containing CO2 and at least one NOx, a distillation separation apparatus. Thus, the first fluid is a liquid, here the purge fluid, originating from the separation system.

[0044] Alternatively, it could be a heater for a gaseous mixture containing CO2 and at least one other component. Thus, the first fluid is a gas, which is the gaseous mixture to be separated by the separation system.

[0045] User C is equipment requiring heat at a higher temperature than the first temperature (for example about 160°C) and which operates intermittently.

[0046] For example, user C may be the regeneration heater of a dryer (e.g., a temperature-switching adsorption dryer or TSA). The dryer may, for example, dry the gas mixture downstream of the heat-producing compression or dry the gas mixture upstream of a compression of a portion of the gas mixture. Valve V3 is open in normal operation and During the regeneration heating phases, the electric heater H3 allows the desired temperature to be reached by heating water 7, already heated by the heat source H1, H2, from the first temperature to the second temperature (for example, from 110 to 160°C). Outside of these heating phases, the heater H3 is switched off, and the hot water at the first temperature (~110°C) flows through the user C without any heat exchange, or if it does, it passes through a bypass. The cooler R then removes this heat and cools the hot water from 110°C to ~30°C. The cooler R also balances the hot water network by removing excess heat produced by the heat sources H1, H2 but not used by users B, C.

[0047] User C heats a second fluid originating from or destined for the separation system, for example, the column system. In the example, the second fluid is the regeneration gas from the separation system destined for the dryer.

[0048] Opening valve V2 and closing valves VI and V3 directs hot water heated by the electric heater H3 to user B during shutdown or start-up. Closing V2 and opening VI allows the use of low-temperature hot water during normal operation.

[0049] The means for triggering the sending of the flow of the first heat-generating fluid from the heater H3 to the first equipment B as a function of a stop-operation signal from the source H1, H2 are not illustrated.

[0050] During nominal operation, a heat source consisting of heaters H1, H2 operates and heats a first heat source, for example water, 1, to a first temperature (for example, between 90 and 120°C, here 110°C). This first heat source is then sent entirely to the first piece of equipment to be heated, B, to supply it with the first heat source at the first temperature. The first heat source, for example, this water, is cooled to 60°C in equipment B and is returned by a pump P to the heat source, i.e., heaters H1, H2. This first mode of operation can be considered the nominal operating mode. According to this first mode, a heater H3 does not operate, even though the first heat source can circulate through heater H3 without being heated. A cooler R is used to cool the first heat source coming from equipment B and C to remove excess heat.This cooler can be arranged solely to cool the heat source from equipment B and C, and otherwise to cool the heat source from equipment A, B and C.

[0051] A pipe 6 connected to the pipe 5 upstream of the valve V1 is connected to the pipe 11. It allows the first calorigen to be returned to the source to remove excess heat.

[0052] Next, two special operating modes are provided for specific cases: firstly, when the heat source provided by the heaters is not functioning, and secondly, when heat is needed temporarily to supply at least one other piece of equipment C at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. These special operating modes can correspond to starting or stopping the gas mixture separation process when the compressor 101 of [Fig. 3] is not operating.

[0053] Let us first consider the case where the heat source constituted by the heaters H1, H2 does not work (first special operating mode).

[0054] It is evident that the use of two heaters in parallel is a special case and that the invention applies regardless of the heat source for the calorigen (a single heater, at least two heaters in series or in parallel).

[0055] A flow of a first heat source, for example water, 1, circulates according to a first mode of operation during which the heat source, i.e. the heaters H1, H2, is not operating. In the absence of the heat source H1, H2, the first heat source, here water, is sent via pipe 7 to the heater H3, which heats the water to a first temperature, here 110°C. The equipment B requires heating even when the heat source H1, H2 is not operating.

[0056] Equipment B could, for example, be a purge liquid vaporizer of an air distillation separation apparatus or a gas mixture distillation apparatus containing CO2 and at least one NOx.

[0057] Alternatively, it could be a heater for a gaseous mixture containing CO2 and at least one other component. For example, equipment B could be a heater for such a CO2 mixture upstream of a compressor.

[0058] In this case, valve V1 is closed to close the pipe allowing water to pass to equipment B without passing through heater H3. Valve V2 is open so that the 110°C water passes from heater H3 into pipe 13 and then into pipe 15 to heat equipment B.

[0059] Equipment C and the equipment A present herein are not heated.

[0060] The heater H3 is heated electrically or by a flow of steam.

[0061] The first heat source cools from the first temperature to a lower temperature in equipment B and is returned to the heater H3 by the pump, passing through heaters H1 and H2 without being reheated. In this case, the cooler does not operate.

[0062] Let us now consider the case where additional equipment D requires water continuously (nominal mode and special mode) at a temperature higher than the first temperature, for example between 150 and 170°C. This is the case of [Fig. 2], which is a variant of [Fig.l], only equipment D and pipe 19, 21 have been added.

[0063] According to a second operating mode, the heat source H1, H2 is operating and the water flow rate is 110°C. During this operating mode, equipment C and D must be supplied with water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, and optionally equipment B must also be supplied, but with water at the first temperature. A portion of the flow rate 1 is sent via pipe 7 to the heater H3, where the water is heated to 160°C and then sent to equipment C and / or equipment D. The water passes to equipment C through the open valve V3 and pipe 23. The water passes to equipment D through the open valve V4, pipe 19, and then pipe 21.

[0064] Equipment C is equipment requiring heat at a second higher temperature (~160°C) than that (first temperature) attainable by the heat source H1,H2 alone and which operates intermittently.

[0065] For example, user C may be the heater of a regeneration gas of a dryer (TSA). Valve V3 is open and heater H3 allows the desired temperature to be reached during the heating phases of regeneration.

[0066] Opening valve V2 and closing valves VI and V3 directs hot water heated by heater H3 to the user during shutdown or startup. Closing V2 and opening VI allows the use of low-temperature hot water during normal operation.

[0067] User D is a heat exchanger used, for example, to heat a gas intended for mercury removal in the gas mixture separation process.

[0068] A cooler R can remove excess heat and reduce the low-temperature hot water from 110°C to approximately 30°C. The cooler R also helps balance the hot water network by removing excess heat produced by the heat source but not used by the equipment.

[0069] User A is equipment requiring low-temperature heat (~110°C) during normal operation. It does not require heat input while the heat source is not operating. The heat source may be a compressor for a gas mixture, for example, a compressor in a gas mixture separation process by partial condensation and / or distillation. Such a compressor is not operating at certain times, for example, when the separation process is shut down or starting up.

[0070] User A is not necessarily present.

[0071] This invention is cumulative with the concept of vaporization of the purges of the DeNOx column described in French filing 2312137 of November 8, 2023.

[0072] [Fig.3] illustrates a method for separating a gaseous mixture according to the invention

[0073] In particular, it relates to a process for separating a gaseous mixture MG, for example from air or a mixture containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, in which the air or the mixture is separated by washing and / or distillation in a column system.

[0074] At least a portion of the gas mixture MG, which may be, for example, air or a mixture comprising at least 30% mol CO2 or at least 60% CO2, or even at least 90% CO2, is compressed in a compressor 101 having coolers H1, H2 and is then separated by washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation. The flow rates D1, DI' are heated in the coolers H1, H2 and form the fluid of the cycle.

[0075] The gaseous mixture MGC compressed in the compressor 101 is then purified in an adsorption unit 102 to remove the water it contains and possibly other impurities to form a compressed and purified gaseous mixture MGCE which is separated in the separation unit 103, for example by washing and / or by distillation and / or by solidification and / or by partial condensation, producing at least one product P which can be compressed in a compressor (not illustrated).

[0076] This compressor can serve as a heat source for the heat exchanger cycle. The separation unit also produces purge fluid Dl, which comes from the separation unit 103. This fluid is heated by equipment B in the preceding figures.

[0077] A gas D2 is used to regenerate the adsorption unit 102 and is heated cyclically by the equipment C.

[0078] The apparatus may include a unit for purifying the gas mixture from mercury supplied by a gas heated by equipment D, if present.

[0079] Equipment C and D are not both required to be present. For example, equipment D can replace equipment C in [FIG. 1].

Claims

Demands

1. A process for separating a gaseous mixture, for example containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, wherein the mixture is separated by washing and / or distillation and / or partial condensation and / or solidification in a separation system, for example a column system and i) A first piece of process equipment (B) is heated by a first flow (15, ) of a first calorigen and supplies heat to a first fluid (Dl) from or destined for the separation system, the first flow of calorigen being heated upstream of the first piece of equipment by a heat source (Hl, H2), which is at least a cooler of a compressor (101) which compresses at least a portion of the gaseous mixture or a gas produced by the separation of the gaseous mixture, which heats the first flow of calorigen to a first temperature,the first flow of heat source arriving at the first piece of equipment at the first temperature ii) A second piece of process equipment (C, D) heats, possibly intermittently, a second fluid (D2) from or destined for the separation system by consuming heat, the heat coming from a second flow (7,11) of the first heat source heated by the heat source which heats the second flow of the first heat source to an intermediate temperature lower than the second temperature and by a heater (H3) downstream of the source which heats the second flow of the first heat source, having been heated by the heat source, from the intermediate temperature to a second temperature higher than the first temperature and iii) If, preferably only if, the heat source is not available,The heater warms a flow (13) from the first heat source to the first temperature, and the flow warmed by the heater is sent at the first temperature to the first piece of equipment.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a gas is separated in an adsorption unit by temperature or pressure switching (102) producing the gaseous mixture (MGE) and a regeneration gas (D2) of the adsorption unit consisting of the second fluid originating from or intended for the separation system is heated by the second piece of equipment (C).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first piece of equipment (B) vaporizes at least one liquid, for example a purge liquid (Dl), withdrawn from at least one column of the column system, this liquid constituting a first fluid from or intended for the separation system.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the gas mixture contains CO2 and NOX, the column is a scrubbing column whose tank liquid is enriched in NOX relative to the gas mixture and the tank liquid is vaporized in the first piece of equipment (B).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first temperature is between 90 and 120°C and / or the second temperature is between 150 and 170°C.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein if, preferably only if, the heat source (H1, H2) is not available, all the flow heated by the heater (H3) is sent at the first temperature to the first piece of equipment (B)

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the heat source (H1, H2) and / or the heater (H3) is an electric heating element.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first heat source is water or oil

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the source (Hl, H2) is a refrigerant from a compressor of the gas mixture or of a gas separated by adsorption to form the gas mixture or of a gas produced by the separation of the gas mixture.

10. Apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture (GM), for example containing CO2 and at least one impurity lighter than CO2 and / or at least one impurity heavier than CO2, comprising: a) a separation system for separating the mixture by partial condensation and / or washing and / or distillation and / or solidification; b) a first connected piece of equipment (B) for heating a first fluid (D1) from or intended for the column system; c) a second connected piece of equipment (C, D) for heating a second fluid (D2) from or intended for the column system d) a heater (H3) (e) a heat source which is at least a cooler (H1, H2) of a compressor (101) of at least a part of the gas mixture or of a gas produced by the column system (f) means (5) for sending a first flow (15) of a first heat-generating fluid heated by the heat source from the heat source to the first piece of equipment without passing through the heater (g) means for sending a second flow (11) of the first heat-generating fluid heated by the heat source from the heat source to the heater and from the heater to the second piece of equipment (h) means for sending a flow of the first heat-generating fluid (13) from the heater to the first piece of equipment and i) means to trigger the sending of the flow of the first heat-generating fluid from the heater to the first piece of equipment as a function of a signal to stop operation of the source.

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