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US 5,398,514 AGranted
Cryogenic rectification system with intermediate temperature turboexpansion
AssigneePraxair Technology, Inc.
InventorsMark J. Roberts, Neil M. Prosser, Robert A. Beddome
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cryogenic rectification system wherein feed partially traverses the primary heat exchanger, thereafter is turboexpanded, and then traverses another portion of the primary heat exchanger reducing the temperature differences between approaching streams within the primary heat exchanger and thus the cycle irreversibilities resulting in lower power requirements.
Claims11
A cryogenic rectification method comprising:
- (A) turboexpanding a feed air stream which has passed through a portion of a primary heat exchanger;
- (B) passing the turboexpanded feed air stream through a portion of the primary heat exchanger whereby the feed air stream is cooled by passage through the primary heat exchanger;
- (C) passing the cooled, turboexpanded feed air stream into the higher pressure column of a double column system of a cryogenic rectification plant;
- (D) producing liquid oxygen by cryogenic rectification within the cryogenic rectification plant and passing liquid oxygen from the cryogenic rectification plant to the primary heat exchanger;
- and
- (E) vaporizing liquid oxygen within the primary heat exchanger and recovering product gaseous oxygen from the primary heat exchanger.
3 more elements
A cryogenic rectification apparatus comprising:
- (A) a primary heat exchanger;
- (B) a turboexpander;
- (C) means for passing feed through a portion of the primary heat exchanger, from the primary heat exchanger to the turboexpander, from the turboexpander through a portion of the primary heat exchanger, and from the primary heat exchanger into the higher pressure column of a double column system of a cryogenic rectification plant;
- (D) means for passing liquid from the cryogenic rectification plant to the primary heat exchanger;
- and
- (E) means for recovering vapor from the primary heat exchanger.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.