Title:
AIR SEPARATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/060930
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for separating air in which an oxygen-rich liquid stream is pumped and then heated within a heat exchanger to produce an oxygen product through indirect heat exchange with first and second boosted pressure air streams. The first boosted pressure air stream is cold compressed at an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger, reintroduced into the heat exchanger at a warmer temperature and then fully cooled and liquefied. The second boosted pressure air stream, after having been partially cooled, is expanded to produce an exhaust stream that is in turn introduced into a lower pressure column producing the oxygen-rich liquid. The second boosted pressure air stream is partially cooled to a temperature no greater than the intermediate temperature at which the cold compression occurs so that both the first and second boosted pressure air streams are able to take part in the heating of the oxygen- rich stream.
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Inventors:
PROSSER NEIL M (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2014/052057
Publication Date:
November 12, 2015
Filing Date:
August 21, 2014
Export Citation:
Assignee:
PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY INC (US)
International Classes:
F25J3/04
Foreign References:
| US20130255313A1 | 2013-10-03 | |||
| US5596885A | 1997-01-28 | |||
| US5475980A | 1995-12-19 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HAMPSCH, Robert J. et al. (Inc.39 Old Ridgebury Roa, Danbury CT, US)
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