Process for restarting an auxilliary column for argon/oxygen separation by distillation and corresponding installation
AssigneeL'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
InventorsBernard Darredeau, Jean-Marc Peyron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
During restarting an argon column (2), two valves (15, 17) provided at the output of a pump (3) are controlled while maintaining a constant level in the base of the argon column, at the outset at a predetermined first control level (N2), then while progressively lowering the controlled value of the constant level. Use in installations for air distillation whose argon column, of the packed type, has a sufficient height to purify the argon of oxygen to an oxygen content less than 100 ppm.
Claims12
In a process for restarting an auxiliary column for argon/oxygen separation by distillation, coupled to a principal air distillation apparatus in which is effected at least one oxygen/nitrogen separation, of the type in which the liquid contained in the auxiliary column during stoppage of this latter is stored, then this liquid is recycled;
- the improvement comprising connecting the base of the auxiliary column to the principal apparatus by a liquid return conduit provided with a return valve;
- connecting the inlet of said return valve to a device for the recovery of liquid from the distillation section of the auxiliary column;
- and during restarting of the auxiliary column, controlling the return valve while maintaining a constant level in the base of the auxiliary column, at the outset at a first predetermined control value, then while progressively reducing the control value of the constant level.
Air distillation installation, comprising a principal apparatus for the distillation of air comprising oxygen/nitrogen separation means (4, 5), and an auxiliary column for argon/oxygen separation whose base is coupled to the principal apparatus by a gas supply conduit and a liquid return;
- the improvement wherein the auxiliary column comprises a device for the recovery of liquid produced by its distillation section;
- and the liquid return conduit is provided with a return valve controlled by a regulator of the liquid level in the auxiliary column, this regulator being of variable control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.