Argon and nitrogen coproduction process
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorsRavi Jain, Alberto LaCava, Mark J. Andrecovich, Donald L. MacLean
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Abstract
Argon and nitrogen are separated from a gaseous stream containing them in combination with oxygen in a three-step process comprising introducing the gaseous stream under pressure to a noncryogenic separator to produce therein a stream enriched in nitrogen and argon, introducing said stream into a cryogenic distillation column to produce a high purity nitrogen product. An argon-rich side stream withdrawn from the cryogenic distillation column is introduced into a pressure swing adsorption unit to provide a crude argon product containing 97 percent or more of argon. The first noncryogenic separator may be a pressure swing adsorption unit or a gas diffusion zone.
Claims12
A process for the coproduction of purified nitrogen and argon from a gaseous stream containing them in combination with at least oxygen comprising:
- (a) introducing said stream under pressure into a noncryogenic separation means and recovering therefrom a gaseous stream enriched in nitrogen and argon;
- (b) introducing said enriched stream into a distillation column;
- (c) withdrawing a purified nitrogen product stream from the top of said column, an oxygen-rich stream from the bottom of said column and an argon-enriched side stream from an intermediate point in said column where there is a relatively high argon content;
- (d) introducing said side stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit to further enrich said stream in argon;
- and
- (e) withdrawing said further enriched argon stream as product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.