Systems and methods for production of high pressure oxygen

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for the power efficient production of high-pressure gaseous oxygen product. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid oxygen stream is pumped to a low to medium pressure and warmed within a first heat exchanger such as a brazed aluminum plate fin heat exchanger. The liquid oxygen stream is then pumped to a further pressure and then vaporized in a second heat exchanger to produce a high-pressure gaseous oxygen stream. In an embodiment, a high-pressure air stream may be utilized in the second heat exchanger for vaporizing the oxygen stream and cooling the air stream. The air stream may be utilized as a feed for the cryogenic air unit. A portion of the air stream at a medium pressure may be utilized in the first heat exchanger. A portion of the air stream may also be expanded to recover energy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.