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US 2006/0218967 A1Published application
Integrated process and apparatus for the separation of air
OwnerPatrick Le Botinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an integrated process for separation of air, an air separation unit produces a stream enriched in oxygen and a stream enriched in nitrogen, the stream enriched in nitrogen is used to liquefy vaporized natural gas by indirect heat exchange and the stream enriched in oxygen is sent to a natural gas treatment unit.
Claims9
1-8. (canceled)
A method which may be used for separating air, said method comprising:
- a) producing an oxygen enriched stream in an air separation unit;
- b) producing a nitrogen enriched stream in said air separation unit;
- c) liquefying vaporized natural gas by indirect heat exchange with said nitrogen enriched stream;
- and
- d) sending said oxygen enriched stream to a natural gas treatment unit.
2 more elements
An apparatus which may be used as an integrated air separation unit, said apparatus comprising:
- a) an air separation unit;
- b) a conduit for supplying said air separation unit with cooled compressed air;
- c) a conduit for removing from said air separation unit a nitrogen enriched fluid;
- d) a conduit for removing from said air separation unit an oxygen enriched fluid;
- e) a heat exchanger for condensing vaporized natural gas;
- f) at least one conduit for supplying vaporized natural gas to said heat exchanger;
- g) at least one conduit for supplying said nitrogen enriched fluid to said heat exchanger;
- h) at least one conduit for removing condensed natural gas from said heat exchanger;
- i) at least one conduit for removing a cooled nitrogen enriched fluid from said heat exchanger;
- and
- j) a conduit for supplying said oxygen enriched fluid to said natural gas treatment unit.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.