# US 2016/0258677 A1 · Condenser-reboiler system and method with perforated vent tubes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0258677 A1 - Document ID: US20160258677A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/153,124 - Filed: 2016-05-12 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-29 - Assignees: Praxair Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Hanfei Tuo; Karl K. Kibler; Maulik R. Shelat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258677A1 ## CPC - F25J 3/04412: {in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column} - F25J 5/005: {in a reboiler-condenser, e.g. within a column} - F25J 2200/06: in a classical double column flow-sheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column - F25J 2200/54: in the low pressure column of a double pressure main column system - F25J 2250/02: Bath type boiler-condenser using thermo-siphon effect, e.g. with natural or forced circulation or pool boiling, i.e. core-in-kettle heat exchanger - F25J 2250/04: Down-flowing type boiler-condenser, i.e. with evaporation of a falling liquid film - F25J 2250/10: Boiler-condenser with superposed stages - F25J 2250/20: Boiler-condenser with multiple exchanger cores in parallel or with multiple re-boiling or condensing streams - F25J 2290/32: Details on header or distribution passages of heat exchangers, e.g. of reboiler-condenser or plate heat exchangers - F25J 2290/44: Particular materials used, e.g. copper, steel or alloys thereof or surface treatments used, e.g. enhanced surface - F28F 2265/12: for preventing overpressure - F25J: LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS {OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS} MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT {OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE (cryogenic pumps F04B37/08; gas storage vessels, gas holders F17; filing vessels with, or discharging from vessels, compressed, liquefied or solidified gases F17C; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B)} - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A condensation and vaporization system for a distillation column based air separation unit comprising: one or more condenser-reboiler modules having a housing defining a top, a bottom, one or more lateral sides, an upper portion, and a lower portion, the one or more condenser-reboiler modules disposed between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to receive a condensing medium at a condensing inlet, an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column at an oxygen-rich liquid inlet, and further defining a condensate outlet proximate the bottom and an oxygen-rich effluent outlet; a heat exchanger disposed in the one or more condenser-reboiler modules, the heat exchanger configured to partially vaporize the oxygen-rich liquid forming an oxygen-rich effluent and condense the condensing medium forming a condensate; wherein the condensing medium is released within the heat exchanger in the condenser-reboiler modules proximate the bottom of the housing and flows in an upward and radial outward direction within the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and non-condensables present in the condensing medium accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the one or more condenser-reboiler modules; and one or more vents disposed on the periphery of the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and configured to remove the accumulated non-condensables from within the one or more condenser-reboiler modules. wherein the one or more vents further comprise a plurality of perforated tubes disposed on the periphery of the housing and extending vertically along all or a portion of the lateral sides thereof; and wherein the heat exchanger is a downflow type heat exchanger and the oxygen-rich liquid inlet is disposed proximate the top of the housing for the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and the oxygen-rich effluent outlet is disposed proximate the bottom of the condenser-reboiler module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more vents are disposed proximate the upper portion or top of the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein each of the perforated tubes further comprise: a tubular shaped body defining an open end, an outer surface and an interior space and having a plurality of apertures or holes from the outer surface to the interior space; and wherein the perforated tubes are configured to be in contact with the condensing medium such that non-condensables in the condensing medium are conveyed through the holes into the interior space and vented from the condenser-reboiler modules via the open end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the open end of the perforated tubes is disposed proximate the upper portion or top of the housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the apertures or holes are disposed around the periphery of the outer surface of the tubular shaped body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the apertures or holes are disposed on the uppermost portion of the tubular body proximate the open end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is a shell and tube heat exchanger comprising: two opposed tube sheets; a cylindrical shell connecting the two opposed tube sheets; and a plurality of condensing tubes extending between the two opposed tube sheets for indirectly exchanging heat between the oxygen-rich liquid flowing within the plurality of tubes and the condensing medium flowing upward and radially outward within the cylindrical shell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising an impingement plate centrally disposed in a central portion or lower portion of the housing for the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and configured to deflect the flow of the incoming condensing medium to radially disperse the condensing medium to condensing surfaces of the condensing tubes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of baffle plates centrally disposed in the housing above the impingement plate and configured to deflect or diffuse a portion of the condensing medium to radially disperse the portion of the condensing medium and disperse the non-condensables towards the perforated tubes disposed on the periphery of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8 wherein the condensing medium inlet is disposed at the top or the lateral side of the housing and directed via a conduit to the impingement plate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a non-condensable recovery system coupled to the perforated tubes and configured to purify and recover the removed non-condensables.