Method and apparatus for producing high-pressure nitrogen

An apparatus for producing a high-pressure gas from an air separation unit, the apparatus comprising:

• a main heat exchanger having a warm end and a cold end;
• a distillation column system in fluid communication with the cold end of the main heat exchanger, wherein the distillation column system is configured to receive a cold air feed from the cold end of the main heat exchanger and separate the cold air feed into a first air gas and a second air gas, wherein the distillation column system is also configured to send the first air gas to the cold end of the main heat exchanger;
• a turbine in fluid communication with the main heat exchanger, wherein the turbine is configured to receive a first fraction of the first air gas after warming in the main heat exchanger;
• a warm booster in fluid communication with the main heat exchanger, wherein the warm booster is configured to receive a second fraction of the first air gas after warming in the main heat exchanger thereby providing a high-pressure gas that is at a pressure greater than an operating pressure of a column within the distillation column system,
• wherein the turbine is configured to power the warm booster.