System and method for the production of argon in an air separation plant facility or enclave having multiple cryogenic air separation units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increasing argon production in air separation units by adding more separation stages is costly and risky, and often does not provide a meaningful cost benefit, while duplicating air separation units can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple air separation units with a centralized argon superstaged or ultra-superstaged column arrangement that receives argon-oxygen rich vapor streams, crude liquid argon, and reflux streams to enhance argon production, allowing for improved separation and product recovery without the need for additional capital expenditures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of separation stages in the argon column arrangement is increased, then argon production is improved, but capital costs and operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the argon production function across multiple air separation units by connecting their argon columns into a unified system. The first air separation unit's argon column and the second air separation unit's argon column are integrated through shared condensers and reflux streams, allowing the facilities to function as a single coordinated argon production system rather than independent units, thereby increasing total argon output without proportionally increasing complexity in each individual unit
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a condenser for the first air separation unit's argon column, provides reflux for the second air separation unit's argon column, and enables heat exchange between the two units. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve enhanced argon production capability while using the same infrastructure for multiple purposes, avoiding the need for separate dedicated equipment for each function
2Productivity
If multiple air separation units are deployed, then argon production capacity is increased, but construction costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the argon production function across multiple air separation units, with each unit contributing a portion of the total argon output. The first air separation unit and second air separation unit are configured as separate but interconnected systems, each capable of independent operation while contributing to the overall argon production target, allowing for modular construction and phased implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary connection systems between the multiple air separation units, including shared condenser equipment and reflux stream pathways. These intermediaries facilitate the coordination and integration of multiple units, enabling them to function as a unified argon production system while maintaining the benefits of modular construction and allowing for easier installation and commissioning compared to a single large integrated unit
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 enhances argon production efficiency while reducing capital costs and operational risks by leveraging process duplication and optimizing argon-oxygen separation within the air separation plant facility, improving overall cost-effectiveness and recovery rates.
Implementation Method 1
The argon condenser is configured to condense a first portion of the argon vapor stream to form the reflux stream via indirect heat exchange with a condensing stream taken from the first or second distillation column system
Implementation Method 2
The argon condenser is configured to condense a first portion of the argon vapor stream to form the reflux stream via indirect heat exchange with a condensing stream taken from the first or second distillation column system
Implementation Method 3
producing a first oxygen product stream, a first nitrogen stream, a first argon rejection stream, and a first crude liquid argon stream from a first purified, cooled, and compressed feed air stream via fractional distillation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for argon production in an air separation plant facility or enclave having multiple cryogenic air separation units is provided. The present system and method include a centralized argon refining system disposed within one of the cryogenic air separation units and which is configured to include an argon superstaged or ultra-superstaged column arrangement having one or more argon columns and an argon condenser. Crude argon streams from one or more of the other cryogenic air separation units are directed to the argon superstaged or ultra-superstaged column arrangement of the centralized argon refining process.