Cryogenic Oxygen Column Layout for Compact High-Capacity Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for low-temperature air decomposition to produce oxygen are limited by their size and complexity, making them difficult to transport and assemble on-site due to height and diameter constraints, while also requiring high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an argon purge column and an auxiliary column, arranged in a specific configuration with a main condenser, allowing for efficient oxygen production by reducing the number of theoretical plates and optimizing heat exchange, thereby increasing capacity and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a classic two-column system with high-pressure and low-pressure columns is used, then oxygen production capacity is achieved, but the system size and complexity increase making it difficult to transport and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including a first distillation column for nitrogen-oxygen separation, a second distillation column for further separation, and an integrated condenser-evaporator unit. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and facilitates transport and on-site assembly while maintaining high oxygen production capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser and evaporator are merged into a single integrated heat exchange unit that serves dual functions. The condenser condenses nitrogen from the first column while the evaporator simultaneously evaporates liquid from the second column, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system structure
2Ease of manufacture
If column diameter is limited to maximum 4.8m for transport, then transportability is improved, but oxygen production capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing column diameter beyond transport limits, the system uses vertical arrangement of multiple columns and stages. The first and second distillation columns are arranged vertically, and multi-stage heat exchange is implemented to achieve high capacity within the 4.8m diameter constraint, effectively transitioning from horizontal to vertical scaling
3Ease of manufacture
If the system is made compact for transport, then transportability is improved, but heat exchange efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser passages and evaporator passages are nested within each other in a counterflow arrangement, with one set of passages inside the other. This nested configuration maximizes heat exchange surface area within a compact volume, maintaining high heat exchange efficiency while achieving the compactness required for transport
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 results in a high-capacity, compact oxygen production system with reduced energy consumption, enabling efficient on-site assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
A 'main heat exchanger' serves to cool feed air in indirect heat exchange with return streams from the distillation column system
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchange relationship between the high-pressure column and the low-pressure column of a double column is usually realized by a main condenser, in which the top gas of the high-pressure column is liquefied against the evaporating bottom liquid of the low-pressure column
Implementation Method 3
the evaporating bottom liquid of the low-pressure column
Implementation Method 4
The invention relates to a system for generating oxygen by low-temperature decomposition of air
Implementation Method 5
The basics of the low-temperature separation of air in general and the construction of two-column systems in particular
Data Source
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AI summary
The plant and the process are used to produce oxygen by low-temperature decomposition of air in a distillation column system which has a high-pressure column (1) and a low-pressure column (2), a main condenser (3), which is designed as a condenser-evaporator, and an auxiliary column ( 4) has. A gaseous oxygen-containing fraction (12) is introduced into the auxiliary column (4). A nitrogen-containing liquid stream (19, 20, 20b) from the high-pressure column (1), the main condenser (3) or the low-pressure column (2) is fed as reflux to the top of the auxiliary column (4). An argon-rich stream (29) from an intermediate point of the low pressure column (2) is introduced into an argon purge column (5) having an argon purge column top condenser (6). The low-pressure column (2) is next to the high-pressure column (1), the main condenser (3) above the high-pressure column (1), the auxiliary column (4) above the main condenser (3), the argon discharge column (5) above the auxiliary column (4) and the Argon removal column top condenser (6) arranged above the argon removal column (5).