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EP2591300A2 - Apparatus and process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation - Google Patents

Apparatus and process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation

Info

Publication number
EP2591300A2
EP2591300A2 EP11728893.6A EP11728893A EP2591300A2 EP 2591300 A2 EP2591300 A2 EP 2591300A2 EP 11728893 A EP11728893 A EP 11728893A EP 2591300 A2 EP2591300 A2 EP 2591300A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
storage
liquid
oxygen
purity
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Withdrawn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
EP11728893.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Benoît DAVIDIAN
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.)
Air Liquide SA
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 EP2591300A2 publication Critical patent/EP2591300A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • 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
    • F25J3/0204—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 characterised by the feed stream
    • 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
    • F25J3/04193—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions
    • F25J3/04206—Division of the main heat exchange line in consecutive sections having different functions including a so-called "auxiliary vaporiser" for vaporising and producing a gaseous product
    • 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
    • F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
    • F25J3/04824—Stopping of the process, e.g. defrosting or deriming; Back-up procedures
    • 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
    • F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
    • F25J3/04836—Variable air feed, i.e. "load" or product demand during specified periods, e.g. during periods with high respectively low power costs
    • 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
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/02—Mixing or blending of fluids to yield a certain product
    • 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
    • F25J2215/00—Processes characterised by the type or other details of the product stream
    • F25J2215/50—Oxygen or special cases, e.g. isotope-mixtures or low purity O2
    • F25J2215/54—Oxygen production with multiple pressure O2
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25J2250/00—Details related to the use of reboiler-condensers
    • F25J2250/30—External or auxiliary boiler-condenser in general, e.g. without a specified fluid or one fluid is not a primary air component or an intermediate fluid
    • F25J2250/50—One fluid being 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
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/62—Details of storing a fluid in a tank

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for air separation by cryogenic distillation.
  • a purge liquid is sent to a storage, and a portion of the storage liquid is sent into an exchanger to be mixed with oxygen gas.
  • the storage is also powered by liquid transported by a truck, so it is a liquid oxygen injection with a supplement of external liquid, thereby vaporizing the purge with heated oxygen gas.
  • WO2010 / 017968 discloses sending an auxiliary vaporizer purge to a storage.
  • US-A-5566556 discloses an air separation process in which the bottom liquid of the low pressure column is sent to storage as a purge flow.
  • An object of the present invention is to value the frigories of the waste flows and to reduce the investment of the apparatus.
  • oxygen is withdrawn from the column system and sent to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer other than the heat exchanger,
  • an oxygen-rich liquid flow having a second oxygen purity, optionally less than 98 mol% of oxygen is sent to a storage from an external source and / or the column system,
  • v) liquid is occasionally withdrawn from the storage and sent to a backup vaporizer to produce a backup product in case of stopping the column system or increased oxygen requirements of a customer
  • the flow rate having the first purity is withdrawn in liquid form and is vaporized in the heat exchanger.
  • the third storage purity liquid flow is sent only if the liquid level in the storage is above a given threshold.
  • the liquid flow is withdrawn from the auxiliary vaporizer.
  • the liquid flow having a third purity is sent to the storage only if no air flow is sent to the column system.
  • the column system comprising a double column constituted by a medium pressure column and a low pressure column and optionally an argon column or a column fed by the medium pressure column operating at an intermediate pressure between the medium pressure and the low pressure and the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the tank of the argon column and / or the column operating at the intermediate pressure and / or the low pressure column and / or the medium pressure column.
  • the liquid having the third purity comes solely from at least one column of the system.
  • the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the auxiliary vaporizer.
  • the liquid having the third purity comes solely from the auxiliary vaporizer.
  • a cryogenic distillation air separation apparatus comprising a column system comprising a medium pressure column and a low pressure column and optionally an intermediate pressure column or an argon column, a supply line for supplying compressed, purified and cooled air to the column system, a product line for withdrawing a high oxygen flow rate from the column low pressure column system and to send it to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer, a storage, a backup vaporizer connected to the storage, a conduit for supplying the storage with an oxygen-rich liquid and a filling line connected to the storage and to the medium pressure column vessel and / or to the vessel of the intermediate pressure column and / or the tank of the argon column.
  • the apparatus comprises: means for controlling the delivery of liquid from a column vessel of the column system through the filling line to storage, which means is controlled according to the liquid level in the storage.
  • the apparatus does not include a dedicated vaporizer for the vaporization of a purge flow of the medium pressure column and / or the intermediate pressure column and / or the argon column, if appropriate.
  • the purge can compensate the evaporation losses in the storage and the excess is vaporized in the system of the emergency vaporization (without recovery of frigories in the cold box).
  • the invention is intended to send a purge flow to a storage of liquid oxygen, possibly using a pump according to its pressure.
  • a flow rich in oxygen contains at least 75 mol%. oxygen.
  • the transfer pump may also be that used for the transfer of liquid oxygen production, if any.
  • the emergency spray is not used (the client does not consume) and the vaporization of the liquid in the storage will promote the evacuation of nitrogen (lighter) and therefore the oxygen concentrate.
  • a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into three.
  • a flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 13 of a double column in gaseous form.
  • Another flow 5 after having been supercharged in the compressor A liquefies in the heat exchanger 3, is expanded in a valve January 1 and sent to the medium pressure column 1 3.
  • a third flow B sent directly into the column medium pressure.
  • Flow rates enriched with nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner.
  • the liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17.
  • An oxygen flow 19 containing less than 98% of oxygen is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column 15 and pressurized by a pressure vessel. pump 23 up to 2 bars, alternatively the compression can be hydrostatic.
  • Part of the oxygen at this pressure is sent to a vaporizer 24 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with a portion of the supply air (5 or B) which is then sent to the column.
  • a flow rate 1 21 containing impurities is withdrawn from the vaporizer 24 permanently or punctually.
  • the vaporized oxygen continues to heat up in the exchanger 3 as the flow rate 27 of low pressure oxygen.
  • the rest of the oxygen is pressurized to a pressure of 10 bar in a pump 25 and vaporizes in the exchanger 3 as flow 29. Alternately, all the oxygen can be vaporized to the lower pressure and the flow rate 29 does not exist.
  • a purge flow 21 is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column 15. This liquid is richer in nitrogen than would normally be the flow withdrawn in column vat since all the liquids accumulated in the packings of the column fall to the bottom of the column.
  • the purge of the vessel of the low pressure column can also be mixed with a purge of the medium pressure column withdrawn by the line 51, which is even richer in nitrogen than the flow rate withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column.
  • One or other of these purge rates or a mixture of both are sent to storage 31 if the liquid level measured by the LL element does not exceed a given threshold. If the liquid level is low enough, the valve 41 opens and the purge liquid is sent into the storage.
  • liquid in the storage comes from a tanker 61 or from the apparatus itself by the flow 21, which can be diverted to storage punctually.
  • the liquid in the storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%.
  • the pump 23 can be used to send the purge liquid 21 to the storage.
  • a flow of liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the storage 31 and sent to a backup vaporizer 37 heated by the water vapor, hot water, air or other fluid.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

In a process for separating air by cryogenic distillation, an oxygen-rich stream having a first oxygen purity of less than 98 mol% oxygen is withdrawn from the column system (13, 15) and sent to a customer, an oxygen-rich liquid stream having a second oxygen purity, possibly lower than 98 mol% oxygen, is sent to a storage tank (31), liquid is periodically withdrawn from the storage tank and sent to a back-up reboiler, to produce a back-up product, and a liquid stream (21, 51) having a third oxygen purity, lower than the first purity, is withdrawn from the bottom of at least one column of the column system and/or from the auxiliary reboiler and sent to the storage tank as a purge stream during a stoppage in the operation of the column system.

Description

Appareil et procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique  Apparatus and method for separating air by cryogenic distillation
La présente invention est relative à un appareil et à un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for air separation by cryogenic distillation.
Lors d'un arrêt d'un appareil de distillation pour entretien ou dégivrage, on doit évacuer les liquides cryogéniques accumulés dans la boite froide, que l'on retrouve essentiellement en cuve de colonnes et dans les vaporiseurs à bain, Ces liquides ne peuvent pas être rejetés tels quels à l'atmosphère.  When stopping a distillation apparatus for maintenance or defrosting, it is necessary to evacuate the cryogenic liquids accumulated in the cold box, which is essentially found in the vat of columns and in the bath vaporizers. These liquids can not be rejected as such to the atmosphere.
En particul ier dans le cadre d'un appareil de production cryogénique d'oxygène impur (< 98%) notamment destiné à une oxycombustion, on se propose d'envoyer l'ensemble des liquides contenus dans la boîte froide vers le stockage LOX qui alimente un vaporiseur de secours.  In particular in the context of a cryogenic oxygen production unit impure (<98%) especially for oxyfuel combustion, it is proposed to send all the liquids contained in the cold box to the storage LOX which supplies a backup vaporizer.
Ceci évite aussi d'ajouter des équipements spécifiques, tels que décrits dans EP-A-1746374 (coûteux et qui prennent de l'emprise au sol, parfois défaillants car rarement sollicités) pour gérer la purge des liquides lors des arrêts, et permet aussi de ne pas perdre les molécules d'oxygène.  This also avoids adding specific equipment, as described in EP-A-1746374 (costly and which take the grip on the ground, sometimes failing because rarely solicited) to manage the purging of liquids during stops, and also allows not to lose the oxygen molecules.
La purge des liquides cryogéniques de la boite froide sont en général envoyés vers un dispositif spécifique pour les vaporiser :  Purge of cryogenic liquids from the cold box is usually sent to a specific device to vaporize them:
• fosse à cailloux pour les très petites tailles de générateurs,  • pebble pit for very small generators,
• enceinte atmosphérique qui recueille les liquides, qui vont ensuite se vaporiser lentement,  • an atmospheric chamber that collects liquids, which will then vaporize slowly,
• évaporateur (chauffage et ventilation).  • evaporator (heating and ventilation).
Dans EP-A-0605262, un liquide de purge est envoyé dans un stockage, et une partie de l iquide du stockage est envoyé dans un échangeur pour être mélangé avec de l'oxygène gazeux. Le stockage est également alimenté par du liquide transporté par un camion : il s'agit donc d'une injection d'oxygène liquide avec un appoint de liquide extérieur, permettant ainsi de vaporiser la purge avec l'oxygène gazeux réchauffé.  In EP-A-0605262, a purge liquid is sent to a storage, and a portion of the storage liquid is sent into an exchanger to be mixed with oxygen gas. The storage is also powered by liquid transported by a truck, so it is a liquid oxygen injection with a supplement of external liquid, thereby vaporizing the purge with heated oxygen gas.
WO2010/017968 décrit l'envoi d'une purge de vaporiseur auxiliaire à un stockage. US-A-5566556 décrit un procédé de séparation d'air dans lequel le liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression est envoyé à un stockage comme débit de purge. WO2010 / 017968 discloses sending an auxiliary vaporizer purge to a storage. US-A-5566556 discloses an air separation process in which the bottom liquid of the low pressure column is sent to storage as a purge flow.
Un but de la présente invention est de valoriser les frigories des débits résiduaires et de réduire l'investissement de l'appareil.  An object of the present invention is to value the frigories of the waste flows and to reduce the investment of the apparatus.
Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel :  According to one object of the invention, there is provided a method of air separation by cryogenic distillation in which:
i) tout l'air comprimé et épuré à séparer est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur,  i) all the compressed and purified air to be separated is cooled in a heat exchanger,
ii) de l'air refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur est envoyé à un système de colonnes,  ii) cooled air in the heat exchanger is sent to a column system,
iii) un débit riche en oxygène ayant une première pureté en oxygène inférieure à 98% mol. d'oxygène est soutiré du système de colonnes et envoyé à un client, éventuellement après vaporisation dans un vaporiseur auxiliaire autre que l'échangeur de chaleur,  iii) a flow rich in oxygen having a first oxygen purity of less than 98 mol%. oxygen is withdrawn from the column system and sent to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer other than the heat exchanger,
iv) un débit l iqu ide riche en oxygène ayant une deuxième pureté en oxygène éventuellement inférieure à 98% mol d'oxygène est envoyé à un stockage à partir d'une source extérieure et/ou le système de colonnes,  iv) an oxygen-rich liquid flow having a second oxygen purity, optionally less than 98 mol% of oxygen, is sent to a storage from an external source and / or the column system,
v) du liquide est ponctuellement soutiré du stockage et envoyé à un vaporiseur de secours pour produire un produit de secours en cas d'arrêt du système de colonnes ou de besoins accrus en oxygène d'un client,  v) liquid is occasionally withdrawn from the storage and sent to a backup vaporizer to produce a backup product in case of stopping the column system or increased oxygen requirements of a customer,
vi) on soutire un débit liquide ayant une troisième pureté en oxygène de la cuve d'au moins une colonne du système de colonnes et/ou du vaporiseur auxiliaire, s'il est présent, et on l'envoie au stockage en tant que débit de purge, caractérisé en ce que l'on envoie le débit liquide au stockage pendant un arrêt du fonctionnement du système de colonnes et éventuellement pendant le redémarrage des colonnes, la troisième pureté en oxygène étant inférieure à la première.  vi) withdrawing a liquid flow having a third oxygen purity from the vessel of at least one column of the column system and / or the auxiliary vaporizer, if it is present, and sending it to storage as a flow rate purge, characterized in that the liquid flow is sent to the storage during a stop of the operation of the column system and possibly during the restart of the columns, the third oxygen purity being lower than the first.
Selon d'autres aspects optionnels :  According to other optional aspects:
- le débit ayant la première pureté est soutiré sous forme liquide et est vaporisé dans l'échangeur de chaleur. - on envo ie l e d ébit liquide ayant la troisième pureté au stockage uniquement si le niveau de liquide dans le stockage est supérieur à un seuil donné. the flow rate having the first purity is withdrawn in liquid form and is vaporized in the heat exchanger. the third storage purity liquid flow is sent only if the liquid level in the storage is above a given threshold.
- le débit liquide est soutiré du vaporiseur auxiliaire.  the liquid flow is withdrawn from the auxiliary vaporizer.
- le débit liquide ayant une troisième pureté est envoyé au stockage uniquement si aucun débit d'air n'est envoyé au système de colonnes.  the liquid flow having a third purity is sent to the storage only if no air flow is sent to the column system.
- le système de colonnes comprenant une double colonne constituée par une colonne moyenne pression et une colonne basse pression et éventuellement une colonne d'argon ou une colonne alimentée par la colonne moyenne pression opérant à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et la basse pression et le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient au moins de la cuve de la colonne argon et/ou de la colonne opérant à la pression intermédiaire et/ou de la colonne basse pression et/ou de la colonne moyenne pression.  the column system comprising a double column constituted by a medium pressure column and a low pressure column and optionally an argon column or a column fed by the medium pressure column operating at an intermediate pressure between the medium pressure and the low pressure and the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the tank of the argon column and / or the column operating at the intermediate pressure and / or the low pressure column and / or the medium pressure column.
- le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient uniquement d'au moins une colonne du système.  the liquid having the third purity comes solely from at least one column of the system.
- le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient au moins du vaporiseur auxiliaire.  the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the auxiliary vaporizer.
- le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient uniquement du vaporiseur auxiliaire.  the liquid having the third purity comes solely from the auxiliary vaporizer.
Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant un système de colonnes comprenant une colonne moyenne pression et une colonne basse pression et éventuellement une colonne à pression intermédiaire ou une colonne argon, une conduite d'alimentation pour envoyer de l'air comprimé, épuré et refroidi au système de colonnes, une conduite de produit pour soutirer un débit riche en oxygène de la colonne basse pression système de colonnes et pour l'envoyer à un client, éventuellement après vaporisation dans un vaporiseur auxiliaire, un stockage, un vaporiseur de secours relié au stockage, une conduite pour alimenter le stockage avec un liquide riche en oxygène et une conduite de remplissage reliée au stockage et à la cuve de la colonne moyenne pression et/ou à la cuve de la colonne à pression intermédiaire et/ou à la cuve de la colonne argon.  According to another object of the invention, there is provided a cryogenic distillation air separation apparatus comprising a column system comprising a medium pressure column and a low pressure column and optionally an intermediate pressure column or an argon column, a supply line for supplying compressed, purified and cooled air to the column system, a product line for withdrawing a high oxygen flow rate from the column low pressure column system and to send it to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer, a storage, a backup vaporizer connected to the storage, a conduit for supplying the storage with an oxygen-rich liquid and a filling line connected to the storage and to the medium pressure column vessel and / or to the vessel of the intermediate pressure column and / or the tank of the argon column.
Selon d'autres objets facultatifs, l'appareil comprend : des moyens pour réguler l'envoi de liquide d'une cuve de colonne du système de colonnes par la conduite de remplissage au stockage, ces moyens étant commandés en fonction du niveau de liquide dans le stockage. According to other optional objects, the apparatus comprises: means for controlling the delivery of liquid from a column vessel of the column system through the filling line to storage, which means is controlled according to the liquid level in the storage.
des moyens pour réguler l'envoi de liquide d'une cuve de colonne du système de colonnes par la conduite de remplissage au stockage, ces moyens étant commandés en fonction du débit d'air dans la conduite d'alimentation.  means for regulating the delivery of liquid from a column vessel of the column system through the filling line to storage, which means is controlled as a function of the air flow in the supply line.
une conduite de remplissage rel iant le stockage et la cuve de la colonne moyenne pression.  a filling line relying on the storage and the tank of the medium pressure column.
une condu ite de rempl issage rel iant le stockage et la cuve de la colonne argon.  a filling station relying on the storage and the tank of the argon column.
Eventuellement l'appareil ne comprend pas de vaporiseur dédié pour la vaporisation d'un débit de purge de la colonne moyenne pression et/ou de la colonne à pression intermédiaire et/ou de la colonne argon, le cas échéant.  Optionally the apparatus does not include a dedicated vaporizer for the vaporization of a purge flow of the medium pressure column and / or the intermediate pressure column and / or the argon column, if appropriate.
Selon l'invention, la purge peut compenser les pertes d'évaporation dans le stockage et l'excès est vaporisé dans le système de la vaporisation de secours (sans récupération des frigories dans la boite froide).  According to the invention, the purge can compensate the evaporation losses in the storage and the excess is vaporized in the system of the emergency vaporization (without recovery of frigories in the cold box).
Selon l'invention, il est prévu envoyer un débit de purge vers un stockage d'oxygène liquide, éventuellement à l'aide d'une pompe en fonction de sa pression.  According to the invention, it is intended to send a purge flow to a storage of liquid oxygen, possibly using a pump according to its pressure.
Un débit riche en oxygène contient au moins 75 % mol. d'oxygène.  A flow rich in oxygen contains at least 75 mol%. oxygen.
On notera que la pompe de transfert peut être aussi celle qui est utilisée pour le transfert de la production d'oxygène liquide, le cas échéant.  It should be noted that the transfer pump may also be that used for the transfer of liquid oxygen production, if any.
Le stockage d'oxygène liquide est rempli avec de l'oxygène de qualité « industrielle marchande » qui est donc « pur » (99,5% mol.). L'envoi occasionnel d'un liquide avec une pureté moyenne nettement inférieur va polluer légèrement le stockage, qui restera :  The storage of liquid oxygen is filled with "commercial industrial" quality oxygen which is therefore "pure" (99.5 mol%). The occasional sending of a liquid with a significantly lower mean purity will slightly pollute the storage, which will remain:
• soit à une teneur moyenne supérieure à la demande client  • at a higher average content than customer demand
• soit transitoirement à une teneur moyenne inférieure à la demande du client, ce que peut généralement accepter un client qui utilise l'oxygène dans un procédé de combustion (par exemple oxycombustion). Cette teneur inférieure sera transitoire pour deux raisons :  • transiently at a lower average content than the customer's request, which can generally be accepted by a customer who uses oxygen in a combustion process (eg oxycombustion). This lower content will be transient for two reasons:
o soit la vaporisation de secours est utilisée (ce qui est plus le cas général lors de l'arrêt de l'unité pour continuer à fournir le client) et donc le stockage est rempli de nouveau au moyen des camions citerne avec de l'oxygène « pur » o either the emergency spraying is used (which is more the general case when stopping the unit to continue supplying the customer) and therefore the storage is refilled by tanker trucks with "pure" oxygen
o soit la vaporisation de secours n'est pas utilisée (le client ne consomme pas) et la vaporisation du liquide dans le stockage va favoriser l'évacuation de l'azote (plus léger) et donc le concentrer en oxygène.  o the emergency spray is not used (the client does not consume) and the vaporization of the liquid in the storage will promote the evacuation of nitrogen (lighter) and therefore the oxygen concentrate.
Il faudra s'assurer que le stockage n'est pas complètement rempli pour permettre d'ajouter le moment venu la quantité de liquide de purge de la boite froide. La quantité de liquide de purge reste relativement faible par rapport au volume du stockage.  It will be necessary to make sure that the storage is not completely filled to allow to add the moment of the quantity of liquid of purge of the cold box. The amount of purge liquid remains relatively small compared to the storage volume.
L'invention sera décrite en plus de détail en se référant à la figure qui illustre un appareil selon l'invention.  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the figure which illustrates an apparatus according to the invention.
Dans la Figure 1 , un débit d'air comprimé et épuré 1 est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur 3 et divisé en trois. Un débit 7 est soutiré de l'échangeur à un niveau intermédiaire, détendu dans une turbine 9 et envoyé à une colonne basse pression 13 d'une double colonne sous forme gazeuse. Un autre débit 5, après avoir été surpressé dans le compresseur A se liquéfie dans l'échangeur de chaleur 3, est détendu dans une vanne 1 1 et envoyé à la colonne moyenne pression 1 3. Un troisième débit B en envoyé directement dans la colonne moyenne pression.  In Figure 1, a flow of compressed and purified air 1 is cooled in a heat exchanger 3 and divided into three. A flow 7 is withdrawn from the exchanger at an intermediate level, expanded in a turbine 9 and sent to a low pressure column 13 of a double column in gaseous form. Another flow 5, after having been supercharged in the compressor A liquefies in the heat exchanger 3, is expanded in a valve January 1 and sent to the medium pressure column 1 3. A third flow B sent directly into the column medium pressure.
Des débits enrichis en azote et en oxygène sont envoyés de la colonne moyenne pression à la colonne basse pression de manière connue. En cuve de la colonne basse pression 15, l'oxygène liquide s'accumule autour du rebouilleur 17. Un débit d'oxygène 19 contenant moins de 98% d'oxygène est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 15 et pressurisé par une pompe 23 jusqu'à 2 bars, alternativement la compression peut être hydrostatique. Une partie de l'oxygène à cette pression est envoyée à un vaporiseur 24 où elle se vaporise par échange de chaleur avec une partie de l'air d'alimentation (5 ou B) qui est ensuite envoyé à la colonne. U n débit de pu rge 1 21 contenant des impuretés est soutiré du vaporiseur 24 en permanence ou ponctuellement. L'oxygène vaporisé poursuit son réchauffement dans l'échangeur 3 comme débit 27 d'oxygène basse pression.  Flow rates enriched with nitrogen and oxygen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column in a known manner. In the tank of the low pressure column 15, the liquid oxygen accumulates around the reboiler 17. An oxygen flow 19 containing less than 98% of oxygen is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column 15 and pressurized by a pressure vessel. pump 23 up to 2 bars, alternatively the compression can be hydrostatic. Part of the oxygen at this pressure is sent to a vaporizer 24 where it vaporizes by heat exchange with a portion of the supply air (5 or B) which is then sent to the column. A flow rate 1 21 containing impurities is withdrawn from the vaporizer 24 permanently or punctually. The vaporized oxygen continues to heat up in the exchanger 3 as the flow rate 27 of low pressure oxygen.
Le reste de l'oxygène est pressurisé jusqu'à une pression de 10 bars dans une pompe 25 et se vaporise dans l'échangeur 3 comme débit 29. Alternativennent tout l'oxygène peut être vaporisé jusqu'à la pression plus basse et le débit 29 n'existe pas. The rest of the oxygen is pressurized to a pressure of 10 bar in a pump 25 and vaporizes in the exchanger 3 as flow 29. Alternately, all the oxygen can be vaporized to the lower pressure and the flow rate 29 does not exist.
Lors d'un arrêt du système (panne de compresseur principal, entretien ou dégivrage de l'appareil), un débit de purge 21 est soutiré de la cuve de la colonne basse pression 15. Ce liquide est plus riche en azote que serait normalement le débit soutiré en cuve de colonne puisque tous les liquides accumulés dans les garnissages de la colonne tombent au fond de la colonne.  During a shutdown of the system (main compressor failure, maintenance or defrosting of the apparatus), a purge flow 21 is withdrawn from the tank of the low pressure column 15. This liquid is richer in nitrogen than would normally be the flow withdrawn in column vat since all the liquids accumulated in the packings of the column fall to the bottom of the column.
Ainsi le débit de purge est moins pur en oxygène que le débit pris en fonctionnement normal,  Thus the purge flow rate is less pure oxygen than the flow rate taken during normal operation,
La purge de la cuve de la colonne basse pression peut également être mélangée à une purge de la colonne moyenne pression soutiré par la ligne 51 , encore plus riche en azote que le débit soutiré en cuve de la colonne basse pression. L'un ou autre de ces débits de purge ou un mélange des deux sont envoyés au stockage 31 si le niveau de liquide mesuré par l'élément LL ne dépasse pas un seuil donné. Si le niveau de liquide est suffisamment bas, la vanne 41 s'ouvre et le liquide de purge est envoyé dans le stockage.  The purge of the vessel of the low pressure column can also be mixed with a purge of the medium pressure column withdrawn by the line 51, which is even richer in nitrogen than the flow rate withdrawn from the bottom of the low pressure column. One or other of these purge rates or a mixture of both are sent to storage 31 if the liquid level measured by the LL element does not exceed a given threshold. If the liquid level is low enough, the valve 41 opens and the purge liquid is sent into the storage.
On arrête d'envoyer du liquide de la cuve de la colonne basse pression et/ou moyenne pression lors du redémarrage de la distillation.  It stops sending liquid from the tank of the low pressure column and / or medium pressure when restarting the distillation.
Il est également possible d'envoyer le liquide accumulé dans la vaporiseur 121 via le débit de purge 121 du vaporiseur au stockage 31 soit seul, mélangé avec la purge 21 , mélange avec la purge 51 ou les deux purges 21 , 51 . Ce liquide est moins riche en oxygène que le débit 21 en fonctionnement normal.  It is also possible to send the liquid accumulated in the vaporizer 121 via the purge flow 121 of the storage vaporizer 31 either alone, mixed with the purge 21, mixed with the purge 51 or both purges 21, 51. This liquid is less oxygen rich than the flow rate 21 during normal operation.
La plupart du liquide dans le stockage provient d'un camion-citerne 61 ou de l'appareil lui-même par le débit 21 , qui peut être détourné vers le stockage ponctuellement. Le liquide dans le stockage provenant du camion a une pureté de 99,5% mol.  Most of the liquid in the storage comes from a tanker 61 or from the apparatus itself by the flow 21, which can be diverted to storage punctually. The liquid in the storage from the truck has a purity of 99.5 mol%.
Eventuellement la pompe 23 peut servir à envoyer le liquide de purge 21 vers le stockage.  Optionally the pump 23 can be used to send the purge liquid 21 to the storage.
Pour fournir le client alors que l'appareil de séparation d'air ne fonctionne pas ou ne produit pas suffisamment d'oxygène, un débit d'oxygène liquide 35 est soutiré du stockage 31 et envoyé à un vaporiseur de secours 37 chauffé par de la vapeur d'eau, de l'eau chaude, de l'air ou autre fluide.  To provide the customer when the air separation apparatus is not operating or does not produce enough oxygen, a flow of liquid oxygen is withdrawn from the storage 31 and sent to a backup vaporizer 37 heated by the water vapor, hot water, air or other fluid.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Procédé de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique dans lequel : i) tout l'air comprimé et épuré à séparer est refroidi dans un échangeur de chaleur (3), 1. Process for air separation by cryogenic distillation in which: i) all the compressed and purified air to be separated is cooled in a heat exchanger (3),
ii) de l'air refroidi dans l'échangeur de chaleur est envoyé à un système de colonnes (13, 15),  ii) cooled air in the heat exchanger is fed to a column system (13, 15),
iii) un débit riche en oxygène (19) ayant une première pureté en oxygène inférieure à 98% mol. d'oxygène est soutiré du système de colonnes et envoyé à un client, éventuellement après vaporisation dans un vaporiseur auxiliaire (24) autre que l'échangeur de chaleur,  iii) an oxygen-rich flow (19) having a first oxygen purity of less than 98 mol%. oxygen is withdrawn from the column system and sent to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer (24) other than the heat exchanger,
iv) un débit liquide riche en oxygène (33) ayant une deuxième pureté en oxygène éventuellement inférieure à 98 % mol d'oxygène est envoyé à un stockage (31 ) à partir d'une source extérieure (61 ) et/ou le système de colonnes, v) du liquide est ponctuellement soutiré du stockage et envoyé à un vaporiseur de secours (37) pour produire un produit de secours en cas d'arrêt du système de colonnes ou de besoins accrus en oxygène d'un client,  iv) an oxygen-rich liquid flow (33) having a second oxygen purity optionally less than 98 mol% of oxygen is sent to a storage (31) from an external source (61) and / or the columns, v) liquid is occasionally withdrawn from the storage and sent to a backup vaporizer (37) to produce a backup product in case of stopping the column system or increased oxygen requirements of a customer,
vi) on soutire un débit liquide ayant une troisième pureté en oxygène de la cuve d'au moins une colonne (13, 15) du système de colonnes et/ou du vaporiseur auxiliaire, s'il est présent, et on l'envoie au stockage en tant que débit de purge caractérisé en ce que l'on envoie le débit liquide au stockage pendant un arrêt du fonctionnement du système de colonnes, et éventuellement pendant le redémarrage des colonnes, la troisième pureté en oxygène étant inférieure à la première.  vi) withdrawing a liquid flow having a third oxygen purity from the vessel of at least one column (13, 15) of the column system and / or the auxiliary vaporizer, if present, and sending it to the storage as a purge flow, characterized in that the liquid flow is sent to the storage during a stop of the operation of the column system, and possibly during the restart of the columns, the third oxygen purity being lower than the first.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 dans lequel le débit ayant la première pureté est soutiré sous forme liquide et est vaporisé dans l'échangeur de chaleur (3). 2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the flow of the first purity is withdrawn in liquid form and is vaporized in the heat exchanger (3).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 dans lequel on envoie le débit liquide ayant la troisième pureté au stockage (31 ) uniquement si le niveau de liquide dans le stockage est supérieur à un seuil donné. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the third purity liquid flow is sent to storage (31) only if the liquid level in the storage is above a given threshold.
4. Procédé selon la revendication 2 ou 3 dans lequel le débit liquide est soutiré du vaporiseur auxiliaire (24). 4. The method of claim 2 or 3 wherein the liquid flow is withdrawn from the auxiliary vaporizer (24).
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le débit liquide ayant une troisième pureté est envoyé au stockage (31 ) uniquement si aucun débit d'air n'est envoyé au système de colonnes (13, 15). 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid flow having a third purity is sent to the storage (31) only if no air flow is sent to the column system (13, 15).
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes dans lequel le système de colonnes (13, 15) comprenant une double colonne constituée par une colonne moyenne pression et une colonne basse pression et éventuellement une colonne d'argon ou une colonne alimentée par la colonne moyenne pression opérant à une pression intermédiaire entre la moyenne pression et la basse pression et le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient au moins de la cuve de la colonne argon et/ou de la colonne opérant à la pression intermédiaire et/ou de la colonne basse pression et/ou de la colonne moyenne pression. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims wherein the column system (13, 15) comprising a double column consisting of a medium pressure column and a low pressure column and optionally an argon column or a column fed by the column. medium pressure operating at an intermediate pressure between the medium pressure and the low pressure and the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the vessel of the argon column and / or the column operating at the intermediate pressure and / or the low column pressure and / or the medium pressure column.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 6 dans lequel le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient uniquement d'au moins une colonne du système (13, 15). 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the liquid having the third purity comes only from at least one column of the system (13, 15).
8. Procédé selon de la revendication 4 dans lequel le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient au moins du vaporiseur auxiliaire (24). 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the liquid having the third purity comes from at least the auxiliary vaporizer (24).
9. Procédé selon la revendication 8 dans lequel le liquide ayant la troisième pureté provient uniquement du vaporiseur auxiliaire (24). 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the liquid having the third purity comes only from the auxiliary vaporizer (24).
10. Appareil de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique comprenant un système de colonnes (13, 15) comprenant une colonne moyenne pression (13) et une colonne basse pression (15) et éventuellement une colonne à pression intermédiaire ou une colonne argon, une conduite d'alimentation pour envoyer de l'air comprimé, épuré et refroidi au système de colonnes, une conduite de produit pour soutirer un débit riche en oxygène (19) de la colonne basse pression système de colon nes et pour l 'envoyer à un client, éventuellement après vaporisation dans un vaporiseur auxiliaire, un stockage (31 ), un vaporiseur de secours (37) relié au stockage, une conduite pour alimenter le stockage avec un liquide riche en oxygène caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une conduite de remplissage (51 ) reliée au stockage et à la cuve de la colonne moyenne pression et/ou à la cuve de la colonne à pression intermédiaire et/ou à la cuve de la colonne argon. An apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation comprising a column system (13, 15) comprising a medium pressure column (13) and a low pressure column (15) and optionally an intermediate pressure column or an argon column, a supply line for supplying compressed, purified and cooled air to the column system, a product line for withdrawing a high oxygen flow rate (19) from the low pressure system column column and for sending it to a customer, possibly after vaporization in an auxiliary vaporizer, a storage (31), a backup vaporizer (37) connected to the storage, a pipe for supplying the storage with an oxygen-rich liquid characterized in that it comprises a filling pipe (51) connected to the storage and the vessel of the medium pressure column and / or the tank of the intermediate pressure column and / or the tank of the argon column.
1 1 . Appareil selon la revendication 10 comprenant des moyens pour réguler l'envoi de liquide d'une cuve de colonne du système de colonnes par la conduite de remplissage au stockage, ces moyens étant commandés en fonction du niveau de liquide dans le stockage (31 ). 1 1. Apparatus according to claim 10 including means for controlling the delivery of liquid from a columnar vessel of the column system through the filling line to storage, which means is controlled according to the level of liquid in the storage (31).
12. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 10 ou 1 1 comprenant des moyens pour réguler l'envoi de liquide d'une cuve de colonne du système de colonnes par la conduite de remplissage au stockage, ces moyens étant commandés en fonction du débit d'air dans la conduite d'alimentation. 12. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 or 1 1 comprising means for regulating the delivery of liquid from a column vessel of the column system through the filling line storage, these means being controlled according to the flow rate of air in the supply line.
13. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 10 à 12 ne comprenant pas de vaporiseur dédié pour la vaporisation d'un débit de purge de la colonne moyenne pression (13) et/ou de la colonne à pression intermédiaire et/ou de la colonne argon, le cas échéant. 13. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 to 12 not including a dedicated vaporizer for the vaporization of a purge flow of the medium pressure column (13) and / or the intermediate pressure column and / or the column argon, if any.
14. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 10 à 12 comprenant une conduite de remplissage reliant le stockage (31 ) et la cuve de la colonne moyenne pression (51 ). 14. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 to 12 comprising a filling line connecting the storage (31) and the vessel of the medium pressure column (51).
15. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 10 à 14 comprenant une conduite de remplissage reliant le stockage (31 ) et la cuve de la colonne argon. 15. Apparatus according to one of claims 10 to 14 comprising a filling line connecting the storage (31) and the tank of the argon column.
EP11728893.6A 2010-07-05 2011-07-05 Apparatus and process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation Withdrawn EP2591300A2 (en)

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PCT/EP2011/061278 WO2012004241A2 (en) 2010-07-05 2011-07-05 Apparatus and process for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation

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EP2591301A2 (en) 2013-05-15
WO2012004242A3 (en) 2013-11-28
CN103282732B (en) 2016-08-03
US9581386B2 (en) 2017-02-28
WO2012004241A3 (en) 2013-11-28
US20130098106A1 (en) 2013-04-25
ES2820436T3 (en) 2021-04-21
CN103282733B (en) 2015-11-25
EP2591301B1 (en) 2020-09-02
CN103282733A (en) 2013-09-04
WO2012004241A2 (en) 2012-01-12
WO2012004242A2 (en) 2012-01-12
CN103282732A (en) 2013-09-04
US20130133364A1 (en) 2013-05-30

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