Cryogenic Liquid Buffering for Stable Argon Distillation Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air separation units with argon production experience significant flow disturbances due to the need for additional pressurization of bottles, which cannot be compensated without specifying additional flow on the main air compressor, leading to instability and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic distillation device with a cryogenic liquid tank and reboiler system that compensates for the lack of flow by sending cryogenic liquid and vaporized liquid to columns during pressurization phases, allowing for flexible energy optimization and reduced compressor sizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the main air compressor is sized to provide additional flow for bottle pressurization, then the pressurization flow requirement is met, but the compressor cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The purification bottles operate in cyclic alternating phases: one bottle performs adsorption while the other undergoes pressurization and regeneration. This periodic operation allows the compressor to supply feed flow to columns during adsorption phases and pressurization flow during regeneration phases, rather than requiring continuous additional flow capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic liquid tank continuously supplies liquid to the columns during pressurization phases, ensuring uninterrupted feed to the distillation columns. This continuous useful action compensates for the temporary reduction in compressor feed flow, maintaining column operation stability without requiring oversized compressor capacity
2Ease of manufacture
If the main air compressor is sized for nominal flow without additional pressurization capacity, then compressor cost is reduced, but flow stability to columns deteriorates during pressurization phases
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic liquid tank acts as an intermediary storage device between the compressor and the distillation columns. During pressurization phases when compressor feed flow to columns is reduced, the tank releases stored liquid to maintain stable column feed rates. This intermediary buffer decouples the compressor operation from column feed requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and timing of liquid supply by storing cryogenic liquid during non-pressurization phases and releasing it during pressurization phases. This parameter change in supply timing compensates for flow disturbances without requiring compressor modification
3Stability of the object's composition
If a tank sends liquid to columns during pressurization phases, then column feed stability is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic liquid tank serves multiple functions: it stores cryogenic liquid, acts as a buffer to stabilize column feed during pressurization phases, and can be integrated with the existing cold box structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing several benefits from a single component
Solution Approach 2:
The tank system is integrated with the existing purification and distillation equipment, merging the storage function with the feed supply system. The reboiler and tank are thermally coupled, and the liquid supply system is combined with the existing column feed infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity
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 solution reduces the cost and energy consumption of air separation units by maintaining system stability and flexibility, especially in argon production scenarios, without requiring additional compressor flow.
Implementation Method 1
a reboiler in the tank to vaporize the liquid contained therein
Implementation Method 2
means for sending a warming gas to the reboiler
Implementation Method 3
A cryogenic liquid is a liquid at a temperature below 200 K
Implementation Method 4
a purification unit for purifying the gas mixture in a system based on several bottles of adsorbent, operating according to a cycle comprising a pressurization phase
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cryogenic distillation apparatus for a gas mixture, including a purification apparatus for purifying a gas mixture in a system with a plurality of adsorbant bottles, a column system, a capacity, means for feeding a cryogenic liquid to the capacity, means for feeding a vaporized liquid from the capacity to a column of the system, a vaporizer in the capacity for vaporizing the contained liquid; means for feeding a calorigenic gas to the vaporizer, and means for drawing a liquid from the capacity.