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EP1098152A1 - Process and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1098152A1
EP1098152A1 EP00403001A EP00403001A EP1098152A1 EP 1098152 A1 EP1098152 A1 EP 1098152A1 EP 00403001 A EP00403001 A EP 00403001A EP 00403001 A EP00403001 A EP 00403001A EP 1098152 A1 EP1098152 A1 EP 1098152A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
exchanger
phase separator
air
sent
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00403001A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Yves Lehman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP1098152A1 publication Critical patent/EP1098152A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04151—Purification and (pre-)cooling of the feed air; recuperative heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04187—Cooling of the purified feed air by recuperative heat-exchange; Heat-exchange with product streams
    • F25J3/04236—Integration of different exchangers in a single core, so-called integrated cores
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04078—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression
    • F25J3/0409—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit providing pressurized products by liquid compression and vaporisation with cold recovery, i.e. so-called internal compression of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
    • F25J3/04854—Safety aspects of operation
    • F25J3/0486—Safety aspects of operation of vaporisers for oxygen enriched liquids, e.g. purging of liquids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2205/00—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means
    • F25J2205/02—Processes or apparatus using other separation and/or other processing means using simple phase separation in a vessel or drum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2245/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams
    • F25J2245/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for recycling of process streams the recycled stream being oxygen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air separation process and apparatus by cryogenic distillation.
  • it relates to a method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation in which a liquid flow, in particular a liquid comprising at least 85 mol% of oxygen, coming from a column of cryogenic distillation is pressurized and vaporized by heat exchange with a flow air to be distilled.
  • US-A-5,901,578 describes a method of air separation in which a flow liquid oxygen is pumped, sent to a phase separator, sent from the separator phases to a heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes and returned to the phase separator. A gas flow from the phase separator is heated in the exchanger and serves as a product. Liquid oxygen flow is taken as product between the pump and the phase separator.
  • EP-A-0464630 describes a method of air separation in which a flow liquid oxygen is pumped, sent to a phase separator, sent from the separator phases to a first heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes and is returned to the phase separator. A gas flow from the phase separator is reheated in a second exchanger and used as a product. Liquid oxygen flow is taken as a product between the phase separator and the first exchanger.
  • the liquid flow coming from the phase separator is mixed with the liquid flow coming from the device and intended for the exchanger downstream of the liquid flow withdrawal.
  • the liquid withdrawn from step vi) is a liquid product.
  • phase separator no longer receives the flow of liquid from of the device but only the partially vaporized flow coming from the exchanger, its size is reduced and its cost will be lower.
  • Air 1 is compressed in a compressor 2, cooled in 4 and purified in the adsorbent beds 6. Then it is divided into three. A flow 8 is sent to the column medium pressure 11 of a double column. Another flow is boosted in the booster 14, cooled in exchanger 9, expanded in the blowing turbine 16 and sent to the low pressure column 12 of the double column.
  • Another air flow is compressed in the booster 19 at a pressure high, cooled in exchanger 9 and sent in liquid form to the middle column pressure and the low pressure column.
  • Liquid flows enriched with oxygen and nitrogen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column after a sub step cooling (not shown).
  • a liquid flow 33 containing at least 85 mol% of oxygen and preferably between 95 and 99.9 mol% of oxygen is pressurized in pump 34 to a pressure between 1 and 10 bar and sent to the exchanger 9 where it partially vaporizes.
  • the partially vaporized flow 39 is sent to a phase separator 37.
  • a flow gas 40 from the phase separator is sent to the exchanger 9 to heat up at the ambient temperature.
  • a liquid flow from the phase separator is partly sent to the exchanger 9 after mixing with the pressurized liquid flow coming from the pump 34.
  • a other liquid flow 36 is withdrawn either continuously or from time to time upstream of the point where the other two liquid flows mix.
  • This other liquid flow can be a liquid product or simply a devolution to avoid the accumulation of hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides in the phase separator.
  • the phase separator can be integrated with the heat exchanger.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

In sending liquid to the heat exchanger (9), where it is partially vaporized (39), the liquid is sent directly, possibly having been compressed, and not to the phase separator (37). An Independent claim is included for plant containing air separation equipment.

Description

La présente invention est relative à un procédé et appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique. En particulier, elle est relative à un procédé et appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel un débit de liquide, en particulier un liquide comprenant au moins 85% molaires d'oxygène, provenant d'une colonne de distillation cryogénique est pressurisé et vaporisé par échange de chaleur avec un débit d'air destiné à être distillé.The present invention relates to an air separation process and apparatus by cryogenic distillation. In particular, it relates to a method and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation in which a liquid flow, in particular a liquid comprising at least 85 mol% of oxygen, coming from a column of cryogenic distillation is pressurized and vaporized by heat exchange with a flow air to be distilled.

US-A-5,901,578 décrit un procédé de séparation d'air dans lequel un débit d'oxygène liquide est pompé, envoyé à un séparateur de phases, envoyé du séparateur de phases à un échangeur de chaleur où il se vaporise partiellement et renvoyé au séparateur de phases. Un débit gazeux du séparateur de phases est réchauffé dans l'échangeur et sert de produit. Un débit d'oxygène liquide est prélevé comme produit entre la pompe et le séparateur de phases.US-A-5,901,578 describes a method of air separation in which a flow liquid oxygen is pumped, sent to a phase separator, sent from the separator phases to a heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes and returned to the phase separator. A gas flow from the phase separator is heated in the exchanger and serves as a product. Liquid oxygen flow is taken as product between the pump and the phase separator.

EP-A-0464630 décrit un procédé de séparation d'air dans lequel un débit d'oxygène liquide est pompé, envoyé à un séparateur de phases, envoyé du séparateur de phases à un premier échangeur de chaleur où il se vaporise partiellement et renvoyé au séparateur de phases. Un débit gazeux provenant du séparateur de phases est réchauffé dans un deuxième échangeur et sert de produit. Un débit d'oxygène liquide est prélevé comme produit entre le séparateur de phases et le premier échangeur.EP-A-0464630 describes a method of air separation in which a flow liquid oxygen is pumped, sent to a phase separator, sent from the separator phases to a first heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes and is returned to the phase separator. A gas flow from the phase separator is reheated in a second exchanger and used as a product. Liquid oxygen flow is taken as a product between the phase separator and the first exchanger.

Il est un objet de l'invention d'améliorer la sécurité des procédés ci-dessus et de réduire la taille du séparateur de phases.It is an object of the invention to improve the safety of the above processes and reduce the size of the phase separator.

Selon un objet de l'invention, le procédé de séparation d'air par distillation pour produire un produit gazeux dans leque :

  • i) on refroidit de l'air dans un échangeur de chaleur et on l'envoie à un appareil de distillation cryogénique ;
  • ii) on sépare l'air dans l'appareil cryogénique pour former des fluides enrichis en oxygène et azote et au moins un liquide ;
  • iii) on envoie du liquide à l'échangeur de chaleur où il se vaporise partiellement
  • iv) on envoie le débit partiellement vaporisé à un séparateur de phases ;
  • v)on soutire un débit gazeux du séparateur de phases et on le réchauffe dans un échangeur de chaleur ;
  • vi) on renvoie une partie du débit liquide du séparateur de phases à l'échangeur et on prélève une autre partie du liquide,
    • est caractérisé en ce que, dans l'étape iii) le liquide est envoyé directement à l'échangeur, éventuellement après avoir été pressurisé et n'est pas envoyé au séparateur de phases avant d'être envoyé à l'échangeur.According to an object of the invention, the process of air separation by distillation to produce a gaseous product in which:
  • i) air is cooled in a heat exchanger and sent to a cryogenic distillation apparatus;
  • ii) the air is separated in the cryogenic device to form fluids enriched in oxygen and nitrogen and at least one liquid;
  • iii) liquid is sent to the heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes
  • iv) the partially vaporized flow is sent to a phase separator;
  • v) a gas flow is drawn off from the phase separator and it is heated in a heat exchanger;
  • vi) part of the liquid flow from the phase separator is returned to the exchanger and another part of the liquid is withdrawn,
    • is characterized in that, in step iii) the liquid is sent directly to the exchanger, possibly after being pressurized and is not sent to the phase separator before being sent to the exchanger.

    Optionnellement tout l'air destiné à la distillation est envoyé à l'échangeur où se vaporise le liquide et le débit gazeux du séparateur de phases se réchauffe dans ce même échangeur.Optionally all the air intended for distillation is sent to the exchanger where vaporizes the liquid and the gas flow from the phase separator heats up in this same exchanger.

    Le débit liquide provenant du séparateur de phases est mélangé avec le débit liquide provenant de l'appareil et destiné à l'échangeur en aval du point de prélèvement du débit liquide.The liquid flow coming from the phase separator is mixed with the liquid flow coming from the device and intended for the exchanger downstream of the liquid flow withdrawal.

    Le liquide prélevé de l'étape vi) est un produit liquide.The liquid withdrawn from step vi) is a liquid product.

    Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu une installation de séparation d'air comprenant :

  • i) un appareil de séparation d'air comprenant au moins une colonne
  • ii) un échangeur des moyens pour envoyer un débit d'air à l'échangeur pour le refroidir et des moyens pour envoyer l'ai refroidi à une colonne de l'appareil de séparation d'air
  • iii) des moyens pour soutirer un liquide d'une colonne de l'appareil de séparation d'air
  • iv) des moyens pour envoyer le liquide à l'échangeur un séparateur de phases des moyens pour envoyer le liquide partiellement vaporisé de l'échangeur au séparateur de phases
  • v) des moyens pour envoyer un gaz du séparateur de phases à un échangeur de chaleur
  • vi) des moyens pour envoyer une partie du liquide du séparateur de phases à l'échangeur et pour prélever une autre partie du liquide de séparateur de phases caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour envoyer le liquide de l'appareil de séparation à l'échangeur ne sont pas reliés au séparateur de phases.
    • According to another object of the invention, an air separation installation is provided comprising:
  • i) an air separation device comprising at least one column
  • ii) an exchanger means for sending an air flow to the exchanger to cool it and means for sending the cooled air to a column of the air separation device
  • iii) means for withdrawing a liquid from a column of the air separation apparatus
  • iv) means for sending the liquid to the exchanger a phase separator means for sending the partially vaporized liquid from the exchanger to the phase separator
  • v) means for sending a gas from the phase separator to a heat exchanger
  • vi) means for sending part of the liquid from the phase separator to the exchanger and for withdrawing another part from the phase separator liquid characterized in that the means for sending the liquid from the separation apparatus to the exchanger are not connected to the phase separator.

    • Optionnellement :

    • l'installation comprend des moyens pour envoyer tout l'air à distiller à l'échangeur.
    • l'installation comprend des moyens pour mélanger le liquide provenant du séparateur de phases et le liquide provenant de l'appareil de séparation en amont de l'échangeur et en aval des moyens de prélèvement de l'autre partie liquide provenant du séparateur de phases.
    Optionally:
    • the installation includes means for sending all the air to be distilled to the exchanger.
    • the installation comprises means for mixing the liquid coming from the phase separator and the liquid coming from the separation device upstream of the exchanger and downstream of the means for taking off the other liquid part coming from the phase separator.

    Ainsi il n'est pas nécessaire d'envoyer tout le liquide à vaporiser de l'appareil de séparation au séparateur de phases avant de l'envoyer à l'échangeur. So it is not necessary to send all the liquid to be vaporized from the device separator at the phase separator before sending it to the exchanger.

    Comme le séparateur de phases ne reçoit plus le débit de liquide provenant de l'appareil mais seulement le débit partiellement vaporisé provenant de l'échangeur, sa taille est réduite et son coût sera moindre.As the phase separator no longer receives the flow of liquid from of the device but only the partially vaporized flow coming from the exchanger, its size is reduced and its cost will be lower.

    L'invention sera maintenant décrite en plus de détail en se référant à la Figure 1 qui est un schéma d'une installation selon l'invention.The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the Figure 1 which is a diagram of an installation according to the invention.

    L'air 1 est comprimé dans un compresseur 2, refroidi en 4 et épuré dans les lits d'adsorbants 6. Ensuite il est divisé en trois. Un débit 8 est envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 11 d'une double colonne. Un autre débit est surpressé dans le surpresseur 14, refroidi dans l'échangeur 9, détendu dans la turbine d'insufflation 16 et envoyé à la colonne basse pression 12 de la double colonne.Air 1 is compressed in a compressor 2, cooled in 4 and purified in the adsorbent beds 6. Then it is divided into three. A flow 8 is sent to the column medium pressure 11 of a double column. Another flow is boosted in the booster 14, cooled in exchanger 9, expanded in the blowing turbine 16 and sent to the low pressure column 12 of the double column.

    D'autres moyens de production de frigories tels qu'une turbine Claude ou le biberonnage pourraient être envisagés.Other means of producing frigories such as a Claude turbine or the bottle feeding could be considered.

    Un autre débit d'air est comprimé dans le surpresseur 19 à une pression élevée, refroidi dans l'échangeur 9 et envoyé sous forme liquide à la colonne moyenne pression et la colonne basse pression.Another air flow is compressed in the booster 19 at a pressure high, cooled in exchanger 9 and sent in liquid form to the middle column pressure and the low pressure column.

    Des débits liquide enrichis en oxygène et en azote sont envoyés de la colonne moyennes pression à la colonne basse pression après une étape de sous refroidissement (non-illustré).Liquid flows enriched with oxygen and nitrogen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column after a sub step cooling (not shown).

    Un débit liquide 33 contenant au moins 85% molaires d'oxygène et de préférence entre 95 et 99.9% molaires d'oxygène est pressurisé dans la pompe 34 à une pression entre 1 et 10 bar et envoyé à l'échangeur 9 où il se vaporise partiellement. Le débit partiellement vaporisé 39 est envoyé à un séparateur de phases 37. Un débit gazeux 40 du séparateur de phases est envoyé à l'échangeur 9 pour se réchauffer à la température ambiante.A liquid flow 33 containing at least 85 mol% of oxygen and preferably between 95 and 99.9 mol% of oxygen is pressurized in pump 34 to a pressure between 1 and 10 bar and sent to the exchanger 9 where it partially vaporizes. The partially vaporized flow 39 is sent to a phase separator 37. A flow gas 40 from the phase separator is sent to the exchanger 9 to heat up at the ambient temperature.

    Un débit liquide du séparateur de phases est envoyé en partie à l'échangeur 9 après s'être mélangé avec le débit liquide pressurisé provenant de la pompe 34. Un autre débit liquide 36 est prélevé soit en continu soit de temps en temps en amont du point où les deux autres débits liquides se mélangent. Cet autre débit liquide peut être un produit liquide ou simplement une purge de déconcentration pour éviter l'accumulation d'hydrocarbures ou d'oxydes d'azote dans le séparateur de phases.A liquid flow from the phase separator is partly sent to the exchanger 9 after mixing with the pressurized liquid flow coming from the pump 34. A other liquid flow 36 is withdrawn either continuously or from time to time upstream of the point where the other two liquid flows mix. This other liquid flow can be a liquid product or simply a devolution to avoid the accumulation of hydrocarbons or nitrogen oxides in the phase separator.

    Comme dans le procédé de US-A-5901578 tout le liquide est envoyé au séparateur de phases et le débit de liquide prélevé en amont de celui-ci, il y aura obligatoirement un risque d'explosion accru.As in the process of US-A-5901578 all the liquid is sent to the phase separator and the flow of liquid taken upstream of it, there will be necessarily an increased risk of explosion.

    Le séparateur de phases peut être intégré avec l'échangeur de chaleur.The phase separator can be integrated with the heat exchanger.

    Claims (7)

    Procédé de séparation d'air par distillation pour produire un produit gazeux dans lequel i) on refroidit de l'air dans un échangeur de chaleur (9) et on l'envoie à un appareil de distillation cryogénique (11,12) ; ii) on sépare l'air dans l'appareil cryogénique pour former des fluides enrichis en oxygène et azote et au moins un liquide : iii) on envoie du liquide à l'échangeur de chaleur où il se vaporise partiellement ; iv) on envoie le débit partiellement vaporisé (39) à un séparateur de phases (37); v) on soutire un débit gazeux du séparateur de phases et on le réchauffe dans un échangeur de chaleur ; vi) on renvoie une partie du débit liquide du séparateur de phases à l'échangeur et on prélève une autre partie du liquide (36), caractérisé en ce que, dans l'étape iii) le liquide est envoyé directement à l'échangeur, éventuellement après avoir été pressurisé et n'est pas envoyé au séparateur de phases avant d'être envoyé à l'échangeur.A method of air separation by distillation to produce a gaseous product in which i) air is cooled in a heat exchanger (9) and sent to a cryogenic distillation apparatus (11,12); ii) the air is separated in the cryogenic device to form fluids enriched in oxygen and nitrogen and at least one liquid: iii) liquid is sent to the heat exchanger where it partially vaporizes; iv) the partially vaporized flow (39) is sent to a phase separator (37); v) a gas flow is drawn off from the phase separator and it is heated in a heat exchanger; vi) part of the liquid flow from the phase separator is returned to the exchanger and another part of the liquid (36) is withdrawn, characterized in that, in step iii) the liquid is sent directly to the exchanger, possibly after being pressurized and is not sent to the phase separator before being sent to the exchanger. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel tout l'air destiné à la distillation est envoyé à l'échangeur (9) où se vaporise le liquide et le débit gazeux (40) du séparateur de phases (37) se réchauffe dans ce même échangeur.The method of claim 1 wherein all of the air for the distillation is sent to the exchanger (9) where the liquid and the gas flow vaporize (40) of the phase separator (37) heats up in this same exchanger. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel le débit liquide provenant du séparateur de phases (37) est mélangé avec le débit liquide provenant de l'appareil et destiné à l'échangeur en aval du point de prélèvement du débit liquide (36).The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the liquid flow from the phase separator (37) is mixed with the liquid flow from the device and intended for the exchanger downstream from the point of withdrawal of the liquid flow (36). Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3 dans lequel le liquide prélevé (36) de l'étape vi) est un produit liquide.Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the liquid withdrawn (36) of step vi) is a liquid product. Installation de séparation d'air comprenant i) un appareil de séparation d'air comprenant au moins une colonne (11,12) ii) un échangeur (9) iii) des moyens pour envoyer un débit d'air à l'échangeur pour le refroidir et des moyens pour envoyer l'ai refroidi à une colonne de l'appareil de séparation d'air (11) iv) des moyens pour soutirer un liquide (33) d'une colonne de l'appareil de séparation d'air v) des moyens pour envoyer le liquide à l'échangeur (9) vi) un séparateur de phases (37) vii) des moyens pour envoyer le liquide partiellement vaporisé (39) de l'échangeur au séparateur de phases viii) des moyens pour envoyer un gaz (40) du séparateur de phases à un échangeur de chaleur ix) des moyens pour envoyer une partie du liquide du séparateur de phases à l'échangeur et pour prélever une autre partie du liquide de séparateur de phases (36) caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour envoyer le liquide de l'appareil de séparation à l'échangeur ne sont pas reliés au séparateur de phases.Air separation installation including i) an air separation device comprising at least one column (11,12) ii) an exchanger (9) iii) means for sending an air flow to the exchanger to cool it and means for sending the cooled air to a column of the air separation device (11) iv) means for withdrawing a liquid (33) from a column of the air separation apparatus v) means for sending the liquid to the exchanger (9) vi) a phase separator (37) vii) means for sending the partially vaporized liquid (39) from the exchanger to the phase separator viii) means for sending a gas (40) from the phase separator to a heat exchanger ix) means for sending part of the liquid from the phase separator to the exchanger and for withdrawing another part from the liquid from the phase separator (36) characterized in that the means for sending the liquid from the separation device to the exchanger are not connected to the phase separator. Installation selon la revendication 5 comprenant des moyens pour envoyer tout l'air à distiller à l'échangeur.Installation according to claim 5 comprising means for sending all the air to be distilled at the exchanger. Installation selon la revendication 5 ou 6 comprenant des moyens pour mélanger le liquide provenant du séparateur de phases et le liquide provenant de l'appareil de séparation en amont de l'échangeur et en aval des moyens de prélèvement de l'autre partie liquide provenant du séparateur de phases.Installation according to claim 5 or 6 comprising means for mix the liquid from the phase separator and the liquid from the separation device upstream of the exchanger and downstream of the withdrawal means of the other liquid part coming from the phase separator.
    EP00403001A 1999-11-05 2000-10-27 Process and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation Withdrawn EP1098152A1 (en)

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    FR9913903A FR2800859B1 (en) 1999-11-05 1999-11-05 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AIR SEPARATION BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
    FR9913903 1999-11-25

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    FR2800859B1 (en) 2001-12-28
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    FR2800859A1 (en) 2001-05-11
    CA2324642A1 (en) 2001-05-25

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