Integrated process for the separation of air and an integrated installation for the separation of air

An integrated apparatus for the separation of air comprising:

• a) an air compressor and a conduit for sending air thereto to produce a stream of compressed air;
• b) a conduit for sending at least part of the stream of compressed air from the compressor to a first air separation unit producing a fluid enriched in a component of air;
• c) a first unit in which an exothermic process takes place and a conduit for sending the fluid enriched in the component of air from the air separation unit to the first unit;
• d) a boiler for producing steam using heat generated by an exothermic process taking place within the first unit;
• e) a conduit for sending at least part of the steam to a steam turbine f) means for transferring work generated by the steam turbine is used to at least the air compressor;
• and
• g) a conduit for sending a product of the air separation unit to a further unit in which at least one further process takes place.