Low-Pressure Oxygen Column Layout Without Auxiliary Vaporizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing low-pressure gaseous oxygen are costly due to the use of auxiliary vaporizers and associated complex equipment, which increases expenses and facility size.
Innovation Solution
The method eliminates auxiliary vaporizers by operating the lower pressure column at the oxygen delivery pressure, using two stacked reboilers driven by pressurized nitrogen and air, and incorporating a nitrogen turbine/booster or air turbine/booster to achieve efficient separation of oxygen and nitrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If auxiliary vaporizers are used to produce oxygen at pressure, then oxygen delivery pressure is achieved, but device complexity and capital expenditures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vaporization function with the existing LP column by operating its lower portion at the oxygen delivery pressure. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary vaporizers and their associated piping and valves, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving pressure and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The LP column's lower portion serves dual functions: it acts as both a distillation column section and a vaporizer. By making this section operate at delivery pressure, it universally performs both separation and pressurization tasks that traditionally required separate dedicated equipment
2Stress or pressure
If auxiliary vaporizers and associated equipment are used, then oxygen pressurization is achieved, but capital expenditures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vaporization function with the existing LP column structure, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary vaporizers. This integration directly reduces capital expenditures by removing redundant equipment while maintaining oxygen pressurization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the vaporization function from separate auxiliary equipment and integrates it into the LP column's lower portion. This extraction and integration approach eliminates expensive auxiliary equipment while preserving the essential pressurization function
3Productivity
If auxiliary vaporizers are used, then oxygen delivery is achieved, but cold box volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vaporization function with the existing LP column, eliminating separate auxiliary vaporizers and their associated piping. This integration reduces the overall cold box volume required while maintaining full oxygen delivery capability
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 approach simplifies the process, reduces capital expenditures by eliminating auxiliary vaporizers and associated equipment, and maintains oxygen product quality and flow rates similar to traditional methods while minimizing reboiler and column sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The oxygen-rich liquid introduced to the reboiler provides the refrigeration necessary to condense the nitrogen vapor coming from HP column 40
Implementation Method 2
During the course of operation, the heat provided by the nitrogen vapor causes some of the oxygen-rich liquid to vaporize
Implementation Method 3
the heat provided by the nitrogen vapor causes some of the oxygen-rich liquid to vaporize
Implementation Method 4
Oxygen-rich liquid 49 is withdrawn from a bottom part of the reboiler and sent to a top portion of auxiliary column 20 for further separation therein
Implementation Method 5
HP column 40 is configured to operate under conditions effective to separate the air into nitrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 6
HP column 40 and LP column 80 are thermally integrated via reboiler 41
Implementation Method 7
Cooled and purified air from the adsorbers is split into two streams
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen includes a heat exchanger and a system of columns comprised of an auxiliary column, a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. The LP column and the HP column are thermally integrated via a top reboiler/condenser disposed on top of the HP column. The system of columns is configured to separate a cooled air stream into oxygen and nitrogen. The auxiliary column comprises a distillation section and a first and second reboiler. One of the reboilers is driven by the cooled air stream and the other reboiler is driven by a pressurized nitrogen stream. The first and second reboilers boil their fluids at the same pressure as the auxiliary column.