Global Patent Index - EP 1143216 A1

EP 1143216 A1 20011010 - Process and apparatus for the production of oxygen enriched fluid by cryogenic distillation

Title (en)

Process and apparatus for the production of oxygen enriched fluid by cryogenic distillation

Title (de)

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von sauerstoffreicher Flüssigkeit durch kryogenische Luftzerlegung

Title (fr)

Procédé et appareil de production d'un fluide enrichi en oxygène par distillation cryogénique

Publication

EP 1143216 A1 20011010 (FR)

Application

EP 01400749 A 20010322

Priority

FR 0004284 A 20000404

Abstract (en)

Cryogenic distillation enables pure oxygen (95% minimum) to be obtained from a mixture containing nitrogen, oxygen and argon. The production of an oxygen (O2)-enriched flow in a cryogenic distillation unit comprises the following stages: (a) cooling of a supply (1) containing O2, nitrogen (N2) and argon (Ar) and introduction in a distillation unit comprising an auxiliary column (25) for the separation of a flow (29) containing Ar and O2, the unit comprising two other columns (9,18); (b) separation of the flow to form fluids enriched in O2 and N2 (15,33); (c) conveyance of the flow containing Ar and O2 from one of the columns (18) to the auxiliary column, both operating at 2-10 bars; (d) withdrawal of an O2-enriched flow (37) containing at least 95% mol of O2; and (e) withdrawal of an Ar-enriched flow (49) from the auxiliary column. Part of the Ar-enriched flow is rejected to atmosphere and/or acts as an adsorbent bed (4) regenerator and/or part may be mixed with an N2-enriched gas (47) from the unit, or from another unit. An Independent claim is also included for the apparatus for the above process.

Abstract (fr)

Une installation de séparation d'air comprend au moins trois colonnes dont une colonne auxiliaire (25) et deux autres colonnes (9,11,40), dont au moins une alimentée par de l'air et dont celle opérant à la pression la plus basse opère entre 2 et 10 bars. Un débit contenant entre 40 et 95% mol. d'argon provenant de la colonne auxiliaire est éventuellement mélangé avec un gaz enrichi en azote de la colonne opérant à la pression plus basse. La colonne auxiliaire opère à la même pression que la colonne dont elle est alimentée. <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

F25J 3/04

IPC 8 full level

C01B 13/02 (2006.01); C01B 23/00 (2006.01); F25J 3/04 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

F25J 3/04018 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/0409 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04127 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04315 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04387 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04412 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04448 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04545 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04575 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/046 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04678 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 3/04709 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2200/20 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2200/34 (2013.01 - US); F25J 2200/54 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2200/90 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2215/02 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2220/50 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2240/10 (2013.01 - EP US); F25J 2245/58 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1143216 A1 20011010; EP 1143216 B1 20120307; AT E548619 T1 20120315; ES 2382453 T3 20120608; FR 2807150 A1 20011005; FR 2807150 B1 20021018; JP 2001349669 A 20011221; US 2001052243 A1 20011220; US 6434973 B2 20020820

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 01400749 A 20010322; AT 01400749 T 20010322; ES 01400749 T 20010322; FR 0004284 A 20000404; JP 2001104899 A 20010403; US 82534101 A 20010404