Process and apparatus for controlling the inlet temperature of an air compressor

(19)

(11)

EP 0 855 518 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	03.03.1999 Bulletin 1999/09

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	29.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/31

(21)	Application number: 98300201.5

(22)	Date of filing: 13.01.1998

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: F04D 29/58, F04C 29/04, F04B 39/06, F25J 3/04, F02C 7/143

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

24.01.1997 GB 9701416

(71)	Applicant: The BOC Group plc
	Windlesham Surrey GU20 6HJ (GB)

(72)	Inventors:
	Garrett, Michael Ernest Woking Surrey GU22 7XR (GB) Lavin, John Terence Guildford Surrey GU1 2NE (GB)

(74)	Representative: Wickham, Michael et al
	c/o Patent and Trademark Department The BOC Group plc Chertsey Road Windlesham Surrey GU20 6HJ Windlesham Surrey GU20 6HJ (GB)

(54)	Process and apparatus for controlling the inlet temperature of an air compressor

(57) The inlet temperature of an air compressor 2 is controlled by vaporising in a mixing chamber 10 upstream of an air inlet 4 to the compressor 2 a sufficient flow of cryogenic liquid (nitrogen or a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen) to maintain the inlet temperature at or below a chosen temperature.

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