Cryogenic Air Separation Unit Layout to Reduce Plant Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air separation plants are inefficient in terms of space utilization and installation complexity, particularly in the arrangement of argon columns and associated equipment, which hinders compactness and ease of transport and installation.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of argon columns and associated equipment within insulated enclosures, with the pump positioned underneath the first argon column and the second argon column positioned between the first argon column and the low-pressure column, reduces the overall footprint and simplifies installation by minimizing the need for additional insulation and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump is positioned close to the source of liquid (bottom of second argon column), then the pumping efficiency and reliability are improved, but the plant footprint and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (close to the second argon column) to a vertical arrangement (underneath the first argon column), utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the plant while maintaining pumping functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is placed within the structural space underneath the first argon column, effectively nesting the pump within the existing structural envelope of the plant rather than requiring additional external space
2Ease of operation
If the argon columns are arranged in a traditional configuration, then the process flow is simplified, but the plant footprint and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second argon column is positioned vertically above the first argon column, utilizing vertical stacking to reduce horizontal space occupation while maintaining the series process flow configuration for argon production
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second argon columns are integrated into a compact vertical arrangement where the second column is positioned directly above the first, merging their spatial requirements into a smaller footprint while maintaining functional separation
3Ease of repair
If the pump and enclosures are arranged in a dispersed layout, then maintenance access is improved, but installation complexity and structural support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump enclosure is positioned underneath the first argon column enclosure, nesting one insulated enclosure within the structural space of another, which reduces the number of separate structural supports needed while maintaining access pathways for maintenance
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 minimizes the overall footprint of the air separation plant, reducing costs and facilitating easier transport and installation while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
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 2
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 3
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
Implementation Method 4
Air which has been compressed, purified and cooled to a cryogenic temperature is sent to at least the first column where it separates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An air separation unit using cryogenic distillation comprises a first column (1), a second column (2) thermally linked to the first column (1), a first argon column (1AR), a second argon column (2AR), means for sending cooled, compressed and purified air to at least the first column (1), means for sending at least one fluid enriched in nitrogen from the first column (1) to the second column (2) and at least one fluid enriched in oxygen from the first column (1) to the second column (2), means for sending a gas enriched in argon (17) from the second column (2) to a first end of the first argon column (1AR), means for sending gas (15) from a second end of the first argon column (1AR) to a first end of the second argon column (2AR), means for removing argon rich fluid (11) from a second end of the second argon column (2AR), a pump (P), means for removing argon enriched liquid (12) from the first end of the second argon column (2AR) and sending it to the second end of the first argon column (1AR) via the pump (P), the first end of the first argon column (1AR) being raised above the ground (G) by a first supporting structure (S), the pump (P) being positioned within the first supporting structure (S), such that the pump (P) is at least partially underneath the first end of the first argon column (1AR).