Process and device for the production of gaseous oxygen at elevated pressure
First Claim
1. Process for the production of gaseous O at an elevated pressure by low temperature rectification of air, comprising reducing energy requirements for production of oxygen by compressing, purifying and at least in part cooling the air in a first heat exchange in heat exchange with rectification product, passing the air to the rectification, compressing a second gas stream to a higher pressure, cooling the second gas stream, after compressing, in a second heat exchanger in heat exchange with rectification product, withdrawing heat at an intermediate point along the second heat exchanger, whereby temperature differences at a cold end of the second heat exchanger are reduced, adding the withdrawn heat to the first heat exchanger, whereby less air is required for heating at a cold end of the first heat exchanger, expanding the second gas stream, after cooling, and passing the second gas stream, after expanding to the rectification, and cooling a third gas stream to be fractionated in heat exchange with fractionation product, liquid oxygen being withdrawn from the rectification, and being pumped to the desired pressure, and, in heat exchange with the compressed gas stream, being evaporated and heated, whereby energy requirements for the production of oxygen is reduced.
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Abstract
In the production of gaseous oxygen, a process and apparatus is used which requires low temperature rectification of air. The air is compressed, purified and cooled in a first heat exchanger while a second gas stream is compressed to elevated pressure, and is cooled in a second heat exchanger. Liquid oxygen removed from rectification is pressurized to a desired pressure and is evaporated and heated in heat exchange with the compressed gas stream.
25 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. Process for the production of gaseous O at an elevated pressure by low temperature rectification of air, comprising reducing energy requirements for production of oxygen by compressing, purifying and at least in part cooling the air in a first heat exchange in heat exchange with rectification product, passing the air to the rectification, compressing a second gas stream to a higher pressure, cooling the second gas stream, after compressing, in a second heat exchanger in heat exchange with rectification product, withdrawing heat at an intermediate point along the second heat exchanger, whereby temperature differences at a cold end of the second heat exchanger are reduced, adding the withdrawn heat to the first heat exchanger, whereby less air is required for heating at a cold end of the first heat exchanger, expanding the second gas stream, after cooling, and passing the second gas stream, after expanding to the rectification, and cooling a third gas stream to be fractionated in heat exchange with fractionation product, liquid oxygen being withdrawn from the rectification, and being pumped to the desired pressure, and, in heat exchange with the compressed gas stream, being evaporated and heated, whereby energy requirements for the production of oxygen is reduced.
Specification