Method for the production of air gases by the cryogenic separation of air with improved front end purification and air compression

A method for reducing process disturbances during pressurization of an adsorber in an air separation unit, wherein the air separation unit comprises a front end purification unit, a main air compressor, a cold box having a main heat exchanger and a distillation column system disposed therein, a booster air compressor, and an air buffer tank, wherein the front end purification unit comprises a first adsorber and a second adsorber, the method comprising the steps of:

• compressing an air stream in a main air compressor to form a compressed main air stream;
• purifying the compressed main air stream in the front end purification unit to remove water and carbon dioxide to form a dry main air stream;
• sending a first portion of the dry main air stream to the cold box for cooling and rectification therein;
• boosting a second portion of the dry main air stream to a higher pressure PH in the booster air compressor to produce a boosted air stream;
• and
• sending the boosted air stream to the air buffer tank,
• wherein each of the adsorbers of the front end purification unit undergoes a processing cycle comprising a regeneration cycle, a pressurization cycle, and an adsorption cycle,
• wherein during the pressurization cycle, a pressurized air stream is withdrawn from the air buffer tank and introduced to the adsorber that is undergoing pressurization,
• wherein the flow rate of the boosted air stream sent to the air buffer tank is between 0.3% to 1% of the flow rate of the dry main air stream.