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AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsDouglas L. Bennett, Keith A. Ludwig, Robert F. Weimer
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The present invention is a separation process for atmospheric gases. In the process, an atmospheric gas stream, for example air, is compressed and may be partly condensed prior to introduction into a vortex tube air separator. The performance of the tube separation can be upgraded, i.e. by improving the concentration and/or purity of the main oxygen stream, by enhancing the separator efficiency of the vortex tube (VT) apparatus. One approach is by selectively refrigerating the cold end of the tube with partial recycle of nitrogen gas waste stream, effecting a rectification section. Another approach is to increase the heat transfer between the outlet gas stream and the liquid film flowing along the curvilinear periphery of the separator means, by mechanical innovations in its configuration.
A process for separating air into a nitrogen-rich gas stream and an oxygen-enriched liquid stream by introducing partially condensed compressed air at a pressure of 3 to 30 atm (304 to 3,040 kPa(absolute)) and at a temperature in the range of 160.degree. to 230.degree. R (-184.degree. to -146.degree. C.) into a vortex tube for distillation, wherein the vortex tube has an entry point for the introduction of the partially condensed compressed air, a vapor outlet for the removal of the nitrogen-rich gas stream and a liquid outlet for the removal of the oxygen-enriched liquid stream;
An apparatus for providing an oxygen-enriched liquid stream and a nitrogen-enriched gas stream from a compressed and partially condensed air feed having a means for compressing air, a heat exchange means having a low pressure side and a high pressure side with each side having an inlet and outlet, an air separation means comprising a vortex tube having an air inlet in flow communication with the outlet of the high pressure side of said exchange means;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.