Device for separating air by cryogenic distillation

Abstract

A device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a first module (1) containing a main air compressor, a second module (3), a third module (4) containing a purification unit, a fourth module (5) containing a heat exchanger, and a system of columns containing at least one distillation column, which may or may not be contained in a fifth module, the second module containing connections for connecting the compressor of the first module to the purification unit of the third module in order to send compressed air from the compressor to the purification unit, and also containing connections for connecting the purification unit to the heat exchanger of the fourth module in order to send purified air in the purification unit to the heat exchanger.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation.

[0002] To facilitate transportation and installation, it is known practice to arrange the different elements of a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation in modules. [Background technology]

[0003] EP 629829 B1 describes a modular device for separating air, with a framework containing all of the elements of the device spaced from the column, compressor, and purified receptacle, the framework being placed between two purified receptacles.

[0004] EP 2 657 633 provides a module for arranging a connection between a purification unit and the hot end of a heat exchanger.

[0005] French Patent No. 3059087 discloses that the elements of a device for separating air are arranged in horizontally arranged elongated housings, the housings being stacked on top of each other, and a housing is provided which covers the two stacks in order to allow fluid communication from one stack of housings to another.

[0006] This composite structure requires subdividing elements of the device for separating the air, such as a purification unit, between several modules.

[0007] French Patent No. 3017939 describes a separation device divided into modules, which are placed in a framework that acts as a support for the modules. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention instead aims to locate each element of the device for separating air entirely within a single module and use the module to group together a collection of means for transporting fluids between one element and another, thereby reducing the time it takes to connect the elements together on site, as the collection of transport means arrives on site ready to be connected.

[0009] In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the footprint of the device, since the module of the fluid transport means is placed below the module containing the purification unit, or vice versa.

[0010] This construction requires a very expensive framework, and the presence of vibration-generating machinery can make its use dangerous. As a result, the use of a framework is not envisaged in this invention.

[0011] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device for producing impure oxygen by cryogenic distillation.

[0012] JP 2020-69471 A and Australian Patent No. 2011101525 A disclose placing a valve module below a purification unit containing two adsorbent beds to reduce the footprint.

[0013] The present invention aims to make the transportation and set-up of air separation devices quicker and easier. The envisaged devices are particularly small and robust.

[0014] By positioning the fourth module containing the purification unit higher, space is freed up to place the compressor(s) closer to the cold part of the device, reducing the total length of pipe and therefore the pressure drop. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one object of the present invention, a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation is provided, comprising a first module containing a main air compressor, an optional second module containing a booster air compressor, a third module, a fourth module containing a purification unit, a fifth module containing a heat exchanger and a system of columns comprising at least one distillation column optionally contained in the fifth module, the heat exchanger of the fifth module being connected by at least two connections to one column of the system of columns in order to send the air to be separated to that column / columns of the system of columns and in order to be able to heat at least one fluid separated in the system of columns; The third module is placed on the ground and acts as a support for the fourth module, the third module being characterized in that it has a central portion corresponding to two-thirds to one-fifth of its length, and the first and / or second and / or fifth modules are connected to this central portion and preferably placed facing this central portion.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, The third module contains an element, for example a heat exchanger, for cooling the air coming from the first module towards the fourth module. The third module contains the element which is the electrical cabinet. The third module contains the elements that are the instrument / monitoring and control cabinets. The third module contains an element that is an analytical device. The third module contains an element which is a heat exchanger for heating the residual gases flowing from the column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module. The third module contains an element that is a heat exchanger for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor. The third module contains an element which is an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to a cooling water circuit and optionally to a cooling water pump. The third module has a central portion that comprises one-fifth to two-thirds of its length. At least one of the elements according to claims 2 to 9 is arranged in the third module but not centrally. At least one of the elements as claimed above is located in the third module but not centrally. At least a first of the elements described in claims 2 to 9 is positioned within the third module but other than at the center at a first end of the third module, and at least a second of the elements described in claims 2 to 9 is positioned within the third module but other than at the center at a second end of the third module. The fourth module has a central portion comprising one-fifth to two-thirds of its length, with two adsorption receptors located on either side of the central portion. The third and / or fourth module has the dimensions of a standard vessel. For the third and / or fourth module, the ratio between the length of the module and its width is greater than three. For the third and / or fourth module, the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than three.

[0017] The term "ground-mounted" means that the ground-mounted module can be placed on a flat concrete slab placed on the ground, and / or elevated by metal or concrete pads installed on the ground, and / or placed on concrete blocks placed directly on the ground or on the concrete slab itself placed on the ground. The module in question can be the first, second, or fifth module. The module in question is the third module.

[0018] The first and / or second module is preferably placed less than 2 m above the ground.

[0019] The base of the third module is preferably placed less than 2 m above the ground.

[0020] The fifth module is inherently taller than the others, but its base can be placed on the ground, preferably less than 2 m above the ground.

[0021] According to other optional aspects, the following can be combined with one another: The first and / or second module is positioned facing a third module that is positioned on the ground. The base of the fifth module is positioned facing the third module, which is positioned on the ground. The third and fourth modules form a block, the length of which is the length of the third and / or fourth module. The third and fourth modules are rectangular parallelepiped shaped. The third and fourth modules are of the same length and preferably of the same width. The third module and / or the fourth module are arranged with their major axes extending horizontally. The fifth module is positioned with its major axis extending vertically. The fifth module contains a single distillation column or a system of distillation columns arranged above a heat exchanger. The third module is connected to the heat exchanger of the fifth module for receiving at least one fluid heated in the heat exchanger. The fourth module has a central portion corresponding to two-thirds to one-fifth of its length. The third module has a central portion corresponding to two-thirds to one-fifth of its length, and the first and / or second and / or fifth modules are connected to this central portion and preferably placed facing this central portion. The third module is connected to the fourth module for transporting fluid through their respective centers and / or through the top of the third module and the bottom of the fourth module and / or through the bottom of the third module and the top of the fourth module. The fourth module contains at least two purification receptors for purifying air, one on each side of a line that divides the length of the fourth module into two portions. The first module, and optionally the second module and the fifth module, are placed on either side of a block formed by the third and fourth modules. The major axis of the first, second or sixth module is perpendicular to the common major axis of the third and fourth modules. At least one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth modules includes a framework, optionally at least partially enclosed. The third and fourth modules each include an at least partially enclosed framework. The fourth module comprises a framework that contains, optionally at least partially enclosed, all of the adsorption receptors of the device. The device includes at least two adsorption receptors, one receptor located at one end of the fourth module and the other receptor located at the other end of the fourth module. The two receptors located in the fourth module are positioned off-center. At least most of the valves of the purification unit are located in the center of the fourth module. At least a majority of the valves of the purification unit are disposed between the two receptacles of the fourth module. The center of the fourth module is placed over the center of the third module. The third module acts as a support for the fourth module. For the third and / or fourth module, the ratio between the length of the module and its width is greater than 3. For the third and / or fourth module, the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than 3. The fourth module includes a top, a bottom and four side walls, and the connection to the third module passes through the top or bottom. The third module includes a top, a bottom and four side walls, and the connections to the first module pass through the side walls. The third module includes a top, a bottom and four side walls, with at least two connections to the fifth module passing through the side walls. At least two connections from the third module to the fifth module pass through a sidewall facing the sidewall through which the connections to the second module pass. The first and / or second and / or fifth modules are placed on the ground.

[0022] The third module may be a parallelepiped piping module for incorporation into a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, for connecting an air compressor, a purification unit, and a heat exchanger, and includes a first compressed air fitting in a first wall on the side of the main compressor that can be coupled to a fluid pipe coming from the main compressor, a first auxiliary fitting that can be coupled to a fluid pipe going to the purification unit, and a second auxiliary fitting that can be coupled to a pipe for fluid purified in the purification unit, two auxiliary fittings in a second wall on the side of the purification unit that is perpendicular to the first wall, and at least one additional fitting in a third wall on the side of the heat exchanger that is perpendicular to the second wall and faces the first wall, the additional fitting being capable of being coupled to the heat exchanger, the first fitting being connected to the first auxiliary fitting by means arranged in the module, and the second auxiliary fitting being connected to the additional fitting by means arranged in the module, the first, second, and third walls each having a side that is the length of the module, and each having a length i) monitoring and / or control and / or instrumentation and / or analysis components, and / or ii) It is characterized by including a heat exchanger.

[0023] According to another optional aspect, The third module includes at least two fittings on the side of the heat exchanger, including a fitting that can be coupled to a pipe for purifying the fluid going to the heat exchanger, and at least one fitting that can be coupled to a pipe for the fluid heated in the heat exchanger. The exchanger comprises n exchange bodies and the third module comprises at least 2n fittings on the heat exchanger side. The purification unit includes n adsorption receptors and at least 2n auxiliary fittings, the auxiliary fittings passing through a side wall of the purification unit and including at least n first auxiliary fittings that can be connected to a pipe for the fluid to be purified in the purification unit, and at least n second auxiliary fittings that can be connected to a pipe for the fluid to be purified in the purification unit. The first wall faces the third wall, and the second wall is perpendicular to the first and third walls. The first, second and third walls each have two edges formed by the length of the third module.

[0024] The device can include a single distillation column together with a purification unit capable of purifying air at low pressure (pseudo-atmospheric) or at an absolute pressure equal to at least 4 bar. The device optionally includes a nitrogen or air circulation capable of providing the energy necessary for the distillation.

[0025] To facilitate transportation, the packaging used is preferably a standardized container.

[0026] The device comprises a number of modules, namely, a first module containing a main air compressor for compressing all of the air for distillation, a second optional module containing a booster air compressor, a third module containing means by which the other modules can be connected to each other, a fourth module containing an air purification unit for purifying the air for distillation into water and into carbon dioxide and secondary impurities of the air, and a fifth module containing a heat exchanger and optionally a distillation column.

[0027] A sixth optional module contains a refrigeration unit for cooling the compressed air upstream of the purification unit, either directly or via a chilled water circuit.

[0028] Preferably, the first module and / or the second module and / or the fifth module are arranged on the ground.

[0029] The third module can be a simple framework that is not covered with metal sheets.

[0030] The third module is piping to vent residual gases coming from the column; and / or Substantially all of the connecting pipes between the first and / or fourth and / or fifth modules; and / or All or part of the monitoring and / or control and / or instrumentation and / or analytical components of the device; and / or a heater for the regeneration gas of the purification unit of the fourth module, and / or a heat exchanger for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor; and / or It may contain an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to the cooling water circuit.

[0031] The third module is preferably Any compressor, and / or Any adsorption receptors, and / or any distillation column, and / or It does not contain any heat exchangers operating at cryogenic temperatures connected to the air compressor or to the booster air compressor.

[0032] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, Figures 1, 2 and 3, which show a device according to the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a side view of a device according to the invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a plan view of the same device. [Figure 3] A cross section of two modules of the device is shown along their major axes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the device preferably includes six modules located in the ground (S), excluding the fourth module (4). The first module (1) contains a main air compressor for compressing all of the air for distillation. The second module (2) is optional and contains a booster air compressor. The fourth module (4) contains an air purification unit for purifying the air for distillation into water and carbon dioxide and secondary air impurities, specifically two adsorbent receptors at the ends of the module separated by piping and control valves. The third module (3) contains at least a means for connecting the other modules to each other. The fifth module contains a heat exchanger, at least its cold end designed to operate at temperatures below -50°C or even at cryogenic temperatures, and a distillation column. The sixth module (6) is optional and contains a refrigeration unit for cooling the compressed air upstream of the purification unit, either directly or via a chilled water circuit.

[0035] The third module 3 and the fourth module 4 are arranged one on top of the other, with the third module supporting the fourth module and positioned on the ground surface S.

[0036] The third and fourth modules are preferably of the same length and width, so that the two modules 3, 4 form a block that is the same length and width as each module 3, 4. The modules 3, 4 are not necessarily of the same height.

[0037] Each of the third and fourth modules comprises a housing in the form of a rectangular prism, or even a square prism. At least one of the third and fourth modules can be a standard container. Alternatively, the framework of the third and / or fourth module can have the dimensions of a standard container and can be equipped with a standard handling system at corners, e.g., standard corners, e.g., according to ISO 668. Alternatively, the framework of the third and / or fourth module can have dimensions that allow it to fit into a standard container.

[0038] Preferably, for the third and / or fourth module, the ratio between the length of the module and its width and the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than 3.

[0039] The third and fourth modules 3, 4 are arranged with their length extending horizontally and are in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0040] The fourth module 4 comprises one or more housings containing purification units, and preferably does not include a compressor.

[0041] The fourth module 4 is connected to the first module 1 through the third module, and the means for transporting air from the compressor of the first module to the purification unit passes through the third module 3 before arriving at the purification unit.

[0042] The fourth module 4 is also connected to the heat exchanger of the fifth module 5, and the means for transporting the air purified in the purification unit of the fourth module passes through the third module 3 before arriving at the heat exchanger of the fifth module.

[0043] The fifth module 5 comprises a housing in the form of a rectangular prism, or even a square prism. The housing is preferably a standard container or the same size as a standard container, and is equipped with a standard handling system at the corners. Alternatively, the fifth module comprises a cylindrical housing.

[0044] The fifth module 5 is positioned so that its length extends vertically. The fifth module 5 preferably contains a distillation column disposed above a heat exchanger, the hot end of which is preferably positioned below. The distillation column produces at least one fluid enriched in air components, which is heated in the exchanger and then sent to the third module 3 to be sent to the atmosphere or from this third module 3 to be sent to a client.

[0045] The base of the fifth module faces the third module to facilitate this transport.

[0046] The fifth module 5 may contain an air expansion turbine to provide the cryogenic energy for the process, although other means for maintaining low temperatures can be envisaged, for example by pumping liquid nitrogen. The fifth module 5 may also contain at least one heat exchanger to subcool the air going to the column or the liquid coming from the distillation system. The fifth module is preferably insulated using vacuum insulation, so that the elements it contains can operate below ambient temperature or even at cryogenic temperatures.

[0047] The compressed air in the first module may optionally be sent to a refrigeration unit in the sixth module 6, and the air is sent from the first module through the third module to the sixth module.

[0048] As a result, it is recommended that the first module 1 be placed facing the sixth module 6 in order to make the device more compact.

[0049] Alternatively, chilled water can be sent from a refrigeration unit in the sixth module 6 to the third module 3 to cool the air in the exchanger.

[0050] The air, cooled directly or indirectly by the refrigeration unit, then passes through a third module and into a fourth module.

[0051] The device may optionally include a booster compressor in the second module 2.

[0052] The air compressed in the first module and purified in the fourth module can be sent to a booster compressor in the second module 2, and the purified air is sent from the fourth module through the third module to the second module.

[0053] The compressed air in the second module then passes through the third module 3 and into the fifth module where it is cooled.

[0054] It will be readily appreciated that there can be multiple second modules containing booster compressors, or a second module can contain multiple booster compressors.

[0055] Because all of the fluids passing through the third module are at least at ambient temperature, it is not necessary to insulate the third module 3 by filling the module with bulk insulation. However, it may be desirable to insulate certain elements of the third module 3 by coating them with insulation. For example, air cooled by the refrigeration unit in module 6 must circulate in pipes coated with a layer of insulation to limit heating. Similarly, heaters in the third module are insulated to protect personnel and limit heat loss.

[0056] The third module 3 does not contain a distillation column and preferably does not contain any compressor. The third module comprises: a heat exchanger for cooling the air coming from the first module towards the fourth module, for example; and / or Electrical cabinets, and / or Instrument / monitoring and control cabinets, and / or analytical devices, and / or a heat exchanger for superheating the residual gases coming from the column and / or from the fifth module towards the purification unit of the fourth module, and / or a heat exchanger for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor; and / or It may contain an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to the cooling water circuit.

[0057] The third module preferably does not contain any components that operate at cryogenic temperatures or even below 0°C.

[0058] The residual gas produced by the distillation must be sent to the purification unit for regeneration. This stream is preferably heated in a heat exchanger in the third module and sent to the fourth module, where it can be reheated by a dedicated heat exchanger present in the fourth module.

[0059] The walls of the third and / or fourth modules 3, 4 may be covered with metal sheets or alternatively may be virtual walls.

[0060] The connections between the third module 3 and the fourth module 4 pass through the roof or top or base or bottom of the third module (here the roof or top, since the third module is below the fourth module), and these connections are thus made inside the common block formed by the two modules.

[0061] The connections to the first and fifth modules are made to the sidewalls of the third module.

[0062] The fourth module 4 is a framework that can be enclosed by a metal sheet and contains at least one, or even at least two, purified receptacles, for example cylinders. One receptacle is preferably located at one end of the fourth module and another at the other end of the fourth module. Between the two receptacles there are pipes that connect them to each other, to the air inlet and to the purified air outlet, and to the regenerated gas.

[0063] The fourth module 4 does not contain a distillation column and preferably does not contain any compressor.

[0064] The third and fourth modules each include a top or roof, a bottom or base, and four side walls. For the fourth module, the connections to the third module pass through the roof or top of the third module and the base or bottom of the fourth module. If the framework is not clad with metal sheets, the walls, roof, and base are represented by the sides of the framework.

[0065] For a third module that includes a roof, a base, and four side walls, at least two connections to the fifth module pass through the side walls.

[0066] At least two connections from the third module to the fifth module 5 pass through a side wall facing the side wall through which the connections to the second module 2 pass.

[0067] The first module 1 is positioned beside the stacked third and fourth modules 3, 4. The second module 2 may also be positioned on the same side of the stacked modules 3, 4 as the first module 1.

[0068] The fifth module 5 is preferably placed on the other side of the third and fourth modules 3,4 stacked from the first and optionally second modules 1,2.

[0069] If present, the sixth module 6 is preferably located on the same side as the fifth module 5 .

[0070] The device may include at least one distillation column other than the fifth module 5, and the fifth module 5 may not contain a distillation column.

[0071] The major axis of the first, second or sixth module 1, 2, 6 is perpendicular to the common major axis of the third and fourth modules 3, 4.

[0072] At least one of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 optionally comprises an at least partially enclosed framework.

[0073] The third and fourth modules can be placed or fastened onto the third module to form a transmission element, which has the dimensions of or can fit inside a standard container.

[0074] Each module can be mounted on skids to facilitate its transmission, and for this reason the height of the modules does not exceed 3 m, or even 2 m.

[0075] The third module 3 is a piping module for a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, to which the air compressors 1, 2, the purification unit 4 and the heat exchanger 5 can be connected.

[0076] The compressor 1, the purification unit 4 and the heat exchanger 5 are connected to each other and the exchanger is connected to a system of columns for separating the air.

[0077] The third module 3 includes a first compressed air fitting in the first wall on the side of the main compressor that can be connected to the fluid pipe coming from the main compressor, two auxiliary fittings in the second wall on the side of the purification unit, including a first auxiliary fitting that can be connected to the fluid pipe going to the purification unit and a second auxiliary fitting that can be connected to the pipe for the fluid purified in the purification unit, and at least one additional fitting in the third wall on the side of the heat exchanger that can be connected to the heat exchanger 5. The first fitting is connected to the first auxiliary fitting by means located within the module, and the second auxiliary fitting is connected to the additional fitting by means located within the module. The compressor, heat exchanger, and purification unit are thus grouped around the module 3. One of the three elements can be placed on the third module 3, while the other two are placed on the ground, just like the third module.

[0078] Module 3 includes at least two fittings on the side of the heat exchanger, one fitting that can be connected to a pipe for the purified fluid going to the heat exchanger, and at least one fitting that can be connected to a pipe for the fluid heated in the heat exchanger.

[0079] Preferably, the first wall faces the third wall and the second wall is perpendicular to the first and third walls. The second wall may form the roof of the module 3 or an edge of the module 3.

[0080] If the exchanger comprises n exchange bodies, the module comprises at least 2n fittings on the heat exchanger side.

[0081] When the purification unit includes n adsorption receptors and at least 2n auxiliary fittings on a second wall of the side of the purification unit, including at least n first auxiliary fittings that can be connected to a fluid pipe going to the purification unit and at least n second auxiliary fittings that can be connected to a pipe for the fluid purified in the purification unit.

[0082] The first, second and third walls each have two edges formed by the length of the module 3 .

[0083] In this example, the first, second, third, fifth and sixth modules are placed on the ground, and as explained above, at least one of these modules can be placed on an intermediate means placed on the ground for stability reasons and to facilitate civil engineering.

[0084] The first and optionally second modules cannot be placed at a level that exceeds the maximum height of the third and fourth modules, as one object of the present invention is to reduce the length of the connections and / or reduce the footprint of the device overall.

[0085] The present invention aims to reduce the distance between the first module and the block formed by the third and fourth modules, and / or the distance between the fifth module and the block formed by the third and fourth modules.

[0086] In the example, the fourth module is placed on the ground and acts as a support for the third module, but in a variant the third module is placed on the ground and acts as a support for the fourth module.

[0087] Since each of the first and fifth modules must be connected to a third module, the decision of whether to position the fourth module on the ground or to position the third module itself on the ground depends on the size of the first (or fifth) module. For example, if the first module is relatively low, it will be connected to a fourth module placed on the ground, and if the first module is relatively high, it will be connected to a fourth module placed on the third module, which itself is placed on the ground.

[0088] FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of elements within the third and fourth modules. The fourth module 4, placed above the third module, includes two adsorption receptors C, located on either side of a central portion T occupied by the piping and control valves of the purification unit. At least some, preferably at least most, of the valves of the purification unit are located in the central portion of the fourth module. At least most of the valves of the purification unit are located between the two receptors of the fourth module. The central portion T of the fourth module 4 is placed above the central portion W of the third module to facilitate connection between the compressor and the heat exchanger of the cold box and reduce pressure drop.

[0089] This piping and these valves are connected to a receiver C, for example through the base of the fourth module and the roof of the third module, and then through the third module to the first and fifth modules. The connecting piping is placed in the center W of the third module 3. At one end of the third module there is at least one element X, which a heat exchanger for cooling the air coming from the first module towards the fourth module, for example; and / or Electrical cabinets, and / or Equipment / monitoring and control cabinets, and / or analytical devices, and / or a heat exchanger for heating the residual gas flowing from the column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module, and / or a heat exchanger for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor; and / or It can be an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to a cooling water circuit.

[0090] at least one element Y at the other end of the third module; a heat exchanger for cooling the air coming from the first module towards the fourth module, for example; and / or Electrical cabinets, and / or Equipment / monitoring and control cabinets, and / or analytical devices, and / or a heat exchanger for heating the residual gas flowing from the column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module, and / or a heat exchanger for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor; and / or an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to the cooling water circuit; and / or Cooling water pump in the cooling water circuit.

[0091] It is possible to duplicate certain elements, but element(s) X at one end will not be the same as element(s) Y at the other end.

[0092] For example, an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to a cooling water circuit, possibly together with at least one water pump, can be located at one end, and elements other than the air-cooled heat exchanger connected to the cooling water circuit, for example a heat exchanger for superheating the residual gas flowing from the column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module, can be located at the other end.

[0093] The proposed module thus allows the arrangement of a large number of elements connected to the purification unit while reducing the footprint. The elements that must be easily accessible are at ground level, facilitating user access.

[0094] For the third and / or fourth modules 3, 4, the ratio between the length of the module and its width is greater than 3 and / or the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than 3. The following is a summary of the claims as originally filed: [1] A device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a first module (1) containing a main air compressor, an optional second module (2) containing a booster air compressor, a third module (3), a fourth module (4) containing a purification unit, a fifth module (5) containing a heat exchanger, and a system of columns comprising at least one distillation column optionally contained within or outside said fifth module, said heat exchanger of said fifth module being connected to said column of said system of columns by at least two connections in order to send said air to be separated to one column / columns of said system of columns and to be able to heat at least one fluid separated in said system of columns; The device, wherein the third module is placed on the ground and acts as a support for the fourth module, the third module (3) being characterized in that it has a central part (W) corresponding to two-thirds to one-fifth of its length, and the first and / or second and / or fifth modules (1, 2, 5) are connected to this central part and preferably placed facing this central part. [2] The device according to [1], wherein the third module (3) contains an element (X, Y), for example a heat exchanger for cooling the air flowing from the first module towards the fourth module. [3] The device according to any one of [1] or [2], wherein the third module (3) is an electrical cabinet and contains elements (X, Y). [4] The device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the third module (3) contains elements (X, Y) that are an equipment / monitoring and control cabinet. [5] The device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the third module (3) is an analytical device and contains elements (X, Y). [6] The device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the third module (3) contains elements (X, Y) which are heat exchangers for heating the residual gas flowing from the column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module. [7] The device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the third module (3) contains elements (X, Y) that are heat exchangers for cooling the air downstream of the compression stage of the air compressor. [8] The device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the third module (3) contains an element (X, Y) which is an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to a cooling water circuit and optionally to a cooling water pump. [9] The device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the third module (3) has a central portion (W) that comprises one-fifth to two-thirds of its length.

[10] A device according to any one of [2] to [9], wherein at least one of the elements (X, Y) according to [2] to [9] is positioned within the third module but outside the central portion (W).

[11] The device described in

[10] , wherein at least a first element (X) of the elements described in [2] to [9] is located within the third module (3) but at a position other than the center (W) at a first end of the third module, and at least a second element (Y) of the elements described in [2] to [9] is located within the third module but at a position other than the center (W) at a second end of the third module.

[12] The device according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the fourth module (4) has a central portion (T) comprising one-fifth to two-thirds of its length, and two adsorption receptors (C) are arranged on either side of the central portion (T).

[13] The device according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the third and / or fourth modules (3, 4) have dimensions of a standard container.

[14] The device according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein for the third and / or fourth modules (3, 4), the ratio between the length of the module and its width is greater than 3.

[15] The device according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein for the third and / or fourth modules (3, 4), the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than 3.

Claims

1. A device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, comprising a first module (1) comprising a main air compressor, a second module (2) comprising a booster air compressor, a third module (3), a fourth module (4) comprising a purification unit, a fifth module (5) comprising a heat exchanger, and a system of columns comprising at least one distillation column, the heat exchanger of the fifth module being connected by at least two connections to a column in the system of columns in order to send the air to be separated to one column and to a column in the system of columns, and to be able to heat at least one fluid separated in the system of columns, 1. A device in which the third module is placed on the ground and acts as a support for the fourth module, 1. A device characterized in that the third module (3) has a central portion (W) corresponding to between two-thirds and one-fifth of the length of the third module (3), the first and / or the second and / or the fifth module (1, 2, 5) being connected to this central portion, and the third module (3) includes an element (X, Y) which is a heat exchanger for cooling the air coming from the first module towards the fourth module.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) that is an electrical cabinet.

3. 3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) which is an instrument / monitoring and control cabinet.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) that is an analytical device.

5. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) which is a heat exchanger for heating the residual gas coming from a column towards the purification unit of the fourth module and / or from the fifth module.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) which is a heat exchanger for cooling said air downstream of a compression stage of an air compressor.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third module (3) comprises an element (X, Y) which is an air-cooled heat exchanger connected to a cooling water circuit.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the third module (3) has a central portion (W) comprising between one-fifth and two-thirds of the length of the third module (3).

9. 9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the elements (X, Y) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged within the third module but outside the central part (W).

10. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein at least a first element (X) of the elements according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged in the third module (3) but outside the central part (W) of the third module in a first end of the third module, and wherein at least a second element (Y) of the elements according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is arranged in the third module but outside the central part (W) of the third module in a second end of the third module.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fourth module (4) has a central portion (T) comprising between one-fifth and two-thirds of the length of the fourth module (4), and two adsorption receptors (C) are arranged on either side of the central portion (T).

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third and / or fourth module (3, 4) has the dimensions of a standard container.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for the third and / or fourth module (3, 4), the ratio between the length of the module and its width is greater than 3.

14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for the third and / or fourth module (3, 4), the ratio between the length of the module and its height is greater than 3.

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