Combined cryogenic distillation and PSA for argon production
AssigneeAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.
InventorsDavid Ross Graham, Justin David Bukowski, Jung Soo Choe, Donn Michael Herron, Sang Kook Lee
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing high purity argon by combined cryogenic distillation and adsorption technologies is disclosed. Crude argon from a distillation column or a so-called argon column is passed to a system of adsorption vessels for further purification. Depressurization gas from adsorption is introduced back, in a controlled manner, to the distillation column and/or a compressor or other means for increasing pressure. Particulate filtration and getter purification may optionally be used.
Claims25
A method for producing argon product comprising:
- withdrawing an argon-containing fluid from a first cryogenic distillation column;
- increasing the pressure of at least a portion of the argon-containing fluid in a means for increasing pressure thereby forming a compressed argon-containing fluid;
- introducing at least a portion of the compressed argon-containing fluid into a first end portion of a first pressure swing adsorption vessel;
- withdrawing a first argon-rich gas from a second end portion of the first pressure swing adsorption vessel;
- terminating the introduction of the compressed argon-containing fluid into the first pressure swing adsorption vessel;
- withdrawing a depressurization gas from at least one of the first end portion and a middle portion of the first pressure swing adsorption vessel thereby reducing the pressure in the first pressure swing adsorption vessel to a final depressurization pressure;
- regulating the flow of at least a portion of the depressurization gas by passing the at least a portion of the depressurization gas to a means for moderating flow thereby forming a regulated depressurization gas;
- and
- introducing at least a portion of the regulated depressurization gas into at least one of the first cryogenic distillation column and the means for increasing pressure.
An apparatus for producing argon product comprising:
- a first distillation column having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet for withdrawing an argon-containing fluid;
- a means for increasing pressure of the argon-containing fluid having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the first distillation column outlet;
- a first pressure swing adsorption vessel having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the first end portion in selective fluid communication with the outlet of the means for increasing pressure;
- a second pressure swing adsorption vessel having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, the first end portion of the second pressure swing adsorption vessel in selective fluid communication with the outlet of the means for increasing pressure;
- and
- a means for moderating flow having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the means for moderating flow in selective fluid communication with the first end portion of the first pressure swing adsorption vessel and in selective fluid communication with the first end portion of the second pressure swing adsorption vessel, the outlet of the means for moderating flow in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet of the first distillation column and the inlet of the means for increasing pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.