Cryogenic Air Separation Unit with Nested Pump to Reduce Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air separation plants for producing argon from air have a large footprint, making them cumbersome to transport and install, and there is a need for a more compact solution.
Innovation Solution
The air separation unit incorporates a first column, a second column thermally linked, a first argon column, a second argon column, and positions the pump within a supporting structure underneath the first argon column, reducing the overall footprint and simplifying transportation and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump is positioned close to the source of liquid (bottom of second argon column), then the pump operates efficiently, but the plant occupies large ground space and is difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (close to the column base) to a vertical arrangement (underneath the elevated first argon column). This dimensional change allows the pump to remain close to the liquid source through vertical positioning rather than horizontal proximity, thereby reducing the plant's horizontal footprint while maintaining operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is nested within the supporting structure that elevates the first argon column. The supporting structure serves dual purposes: it elevates the column to reduce footprint and simultaneously houses the pump underneath it. This nesting arrangement consolidates multiple functions into a compact integrated unit
2Ease of manufacture
If the pump is positioned close to the source of liquid, then the installation is straightforward, but the plant is cumbersome to transport and install on site
Solution Approach 1:
The plant is divided into modular components: the first argon column with its supporting structure forms one module, while the pump is integrated within the supporting structure. This segmentation allows the components to be manufactured separately and assembled on-site, improving both transportability and installation ease
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure for the first argon column is merged with the pump housing, creating an integrated assembly. This combination reduces the number of separate components that need to be transported and assembled, thereby improving transportability while maintaining installation simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the total footprint of the plant, thereby lowering costs and making the system easier to transport and install, while maintaining the efficiency of argon production.
Implementation Method 1
Air that has been compressed, purified and cooled to a cryogenic temperature is sent to at least the first column where it separates to form an oxygen enriched liquid at the bottom of the first column and nitrogen enriched fluid at the top of that column
Implementation Method 2
a second column, thermally coupled to the first column, operating at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. Argon is then produced from a stream enriched in argon as compared to air withdrawn from the second column
Implementation Method 3
The first argon column separates the argon enriched stream to produce a gas further enriched in argon at the top of the column
Implementation Method 4
this gas is sent to the bottom of the second argon column in order to produce an argon rich stream at the top of the second argon column
Implementation Method 5
The condenser at the top of the second argon column is cooled using the rest of the argon enriched liquid from the bottom of the first column
Data Source
AI summary
An air separation unit using cryogenic distillation comprises a first column, a second column thermally linked to the first column, a first argon column, a second argon column, means for sending cooled, compressed and purified air to at least the first column, means for sending at least one fluid enriched in nitrogen from the first column to the second column and at least one fluid enriched in oxygen from the first column to the second column, means for sending a gas enriched in argon from the second column to a first end of the first argon column, means for sending gas from a second end of the first argon column to a first end of the second argon column, means for removing argon rich fluid from a second end of the second argon column, a pump, means for removing argon enriched liquid from the first end of the second argon column and sending it to the second end of the first argon column via the pump, the first end of the first argon column being raised above the ground by a first supporting structure, the pump being positioned within the first supporting structure, such that the pump is at least partially underneath the first end of the first argon column.