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EP3105520B1 - Column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, air separation device comprising such a column and method for producing such a column - Google Patents

Column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, air separation device comprising such a column and method for producing such a column Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3105520B1
EP3105520B1 EP15706916.2A EP15706916A EP3105520B1 EP 3105520 B1 EP3105520 B1 EP 3105520B1 EP 15706916 A EP15706916 A EP 15706916A EP 3105520 B1 EP3105520 B1 EP 3105520B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
column
section
sections
distillation
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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EP15706916.2A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3105520A2 (en
Inventor
Patrice Cavagne
Olivier De Cayeux
Natacha Haik-Beraud
Nathalie Schmitt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Publication of EP3105520A2 publication Critical patent/EP3105520A2/en
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Publication of EP3105520B1 publication Critical patent/EP3105520B1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04642—Recovering noble gases from air
    • F25J3/04648—Recovering noble gases from air argon
    • F25J3/04654—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column
    • F25J3/04666—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04672—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser
    • F25J3/04678—Producing crude argon in a crude argon column as a parallel working rectification column of the low pressure column in a dual pressure main column system having a top condenser cooled by oxygen enriched liquid from high pressure column bottoms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/0403—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04036—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04042—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of argon or argon enriched stream
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04406—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J3/04412—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flowsheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/0489—Modularity and arrangement of parts of the air fractionation unit, in particular of the cold box, e.g. pre-fabrication, assembling and erection, dimensions, horizontal layout "plot"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04896—Details of columns, e.g. internals, inlet/outlet devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04896—Details of columns, e.g. internals, inlet/outlet devices
    • F25J3/04909—Structured packings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04896—Details of columns, e.g. internals, inlet/outlet devices
    • F25J3/04915—Combinations of different material exchange elements, e.g. within different columns
    • F25J3/04921—Combinations of different material exchange elements, e.g. within different columns within the same column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04866—Construction and layout of air fractionation equipments, e.g. valves, machines
    • F25J3/04969—Retrofitting or revamping of an existing air fractionation unit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/10—Mathematical formulae, modeling, plot or curves; Design methods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2290/00—Other details not covered by groups F25J2200/00 - F25J2280/00
    • F25J2290/42—Modularity, pre-fabrication of modules, assembling and erection, horizontal layout, i.e. plot plan, and vertical arrangement of parts of the cryogenic unit, e.g. of the cold box

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, to an apparatus for separating air comprising such a column and to a process for manufacturing such a column.
  • An air distillation installation allowing the production of argon generally consists of a medium pressure column, typically operating at around 6 bar absolute, surmounted by a low pressure column typically operating slightly above atmospheric pressure and at which is coupled to a column for the production of impure argon.
  • a condenser-vaporizer puts the overhead vapor of the medium-pressure column, consisting of nearly pure nitrogen, in a heat exchange relationship with the bottom liquid of the low-pressure column, consisting of nearly pure oxygen.
  • the low pressure column comprises a distillation section, immediately above the latter, a first intermediate distillation section, and several sections above the first intermediate distillation section, generally between two and three.
  • Each of the distillation sections consists of blocks of structured packing of the "corrugated-crossed" type.
  • a corrugated-crossed packing block consists of a pack of corrugated lamellae each arranged in a generally vertical plane and joined to one another, each lamella having a generally rectangular shape.
  • the slats are wavy obliquely, and the direction of inclination of the waves is reversed from one slat to the next.
  • All lamellae have the same height, while their length, or horizontal dimension, increases from a minimum value, for an extreme lamella, to a maximum value for the middle lamella, and then decreases to the same minimum value for the another extreme lamella.
  • Each of the sections is a continuous packing section, that is to say a section consisting of a direct stack of elementary blocks on top of each other, without any intermediate fluid redistribution device, each elementary block being rotated 90 °, around the axis of the column, with respect to the two adjacent layers.
  • the first intermediate distillation section has a smaller section than the other sections and is therefore in the middle of the low pressure column with an annular section space between the edge of the section and the main shell of the column.
  • the column is designed so that the more argon-rich vapor can be drawn off into this annular section space below a baffle which divides the space into a lower section and an upper section vertically. This vapor then feeds the argon column.
  • the bottom liquid of the argon column is also returned to the lower section from which the vapor richest in argon is withdrawn.
  • the vaporized rich liquid from the top condenser of the argon column is sent to the upper section of the space.
  • the first intermediate distillation section is separated from the adjacent sections by distributors.
  • This reduced diameter for this first intermediate distillation section is possible, without increasing the diameter of the column because this section is not sizing. Indeed, a fairly large quantity of gas passes through the argon column and therefore does not pass through this section.
  • this reduced-section section is not installed, according to the prior art.
  • One of the objects of the present invention is to design a low pressure column which is suitable for production with or without argon.
  • the idea is to use a column with a first intermediate distillation section with a reduced section, with or without production of argon, and optionally to modify the density of the packing in this section, with a lower density for the case without production of argon. argon and a higher density for the case with argon production.
  • the invention makes it possible to have a standardized model for the low pressure column, with or without production of argon. This also makes it possible to standardize the architecture of the cold box, including the fluid supply lines. The delivery time to the customer can therefore be reduced because it is possible to manufacture the column before deciding on the need for argon production or not.
  • EP-A-0 664 144 describes a low pressure column of an air separation apparatus for use with argon production in which all the openings present are intended to be used. It is therefore not a standardized column intended to be adapted for different subsequent uses.
  • an air separation device comprising a medium pressure column thermally connected to a low pressure column as described above not comprising means for sending a fluid from a level intermediary of the low pressure column to another column to be separated there.
  • rich liquid used here is a term of the art to designate a liquid enriched in oxygen with respect to air.
  • the air distillation installation whose low pressure column is shown in Figure 1 consists of a medium pressure column 1, typically operating at around 6 bar absolute, surmounted by the low pressure column 2 typically operating slightly above atmospheric pressure. Note the absence of any impure or pure argon production column.
  • a condenser-vaporizer 4 puts the overhead vapor of column 1, consisting of nearly pure nitrogen, in heat exchange relationship with the bottom liquid of column 2, consisting of nearly pure oxygen.
  • Column 1 receives pressurized and purified air to be separated and produces a liquid flow enriched in oxygen and a liquid flow enriched in nitrogen, which are both sent to the low pressure column 2.
  • FIG. 1 The illustration of the Figure 1 is very schematic and essentially aims to show the fluid inlets/outlets of the installation, as well as the distillation sections that they define.
  • Section 29 is shown in dotted lines because its presence is not essential.
  • the first intermediate section 25 is a cylindrical body composed of packings surrounded by an auxiliary shroud of smaller diameter than the shroud of the column. It is arranged inside the column shroud and surrounded by a space with an annular section delimited by the column shroud and the auxiliary shroud surrounding the packings.
  • An annular sealing member 71 tightly connects the shell of the column and the auxiliary shell.
  • Each of the distillation sections 24 to 29 consists of blocks of organized packing of the "corrugated-crossed" type.
  • a corrugated-crossed packing block consists of a pack of corrugated lamellae each arranged in a generally vertical plane and joined to one another, each lamella having a generally rectangular shape.
  • the slats are wavy obliquely, and the direction of inclination of the waves is reversed from one slat to the next. All slats have the same height, while their length, or horizontal dimension, increases from a minimum value, for an extreme lamella, to a maximum value for the middle lamella, then decreases to the same minimum value for the other extreme lamella.
  • Each of the sections 24 to 29 is a continuous packing section, that is to say a section consisting of a direct stack of elementary layers (in English "packs") on top of each other, without any device for redistributing intermediate fluid, each elementary layer being turned by 90°, around the axis of the column, with respect to the two adjacent layers.
  • This is made possible, despite the great height of certain sections, in particular sections 24 and 28, which can comprise respectively 38 and 50 theoretical plates, thanks to several characteristics which will appear below.
  • distillation sections 24 and 25 on the one hand, 25 and 26 on the other hand, 26 and 27, 27 and 28, finally 28 and 29, are separated from each other by a distributor.
  • the low pressure column is not intended to be connected to an argon production column, it nevertheless contains the reduced section section 25 which is generally used for low pressure columns supplying an argon production column.
  • the packings used for the five sections 24 to 28 are identical, the packings used for the first intermediate section 25 are less dense than those of the sections 24, 26, 27 , 28 and possibly 29.
  • the presence of the section 29 is not essential.
  • the packing for section 25 can have an average density of 350 m 2 /m 3 whereas the average density of the packings for the sections 24 and 26 will be 500 m 2 /m 3 .
  • the goal is to choose, for the case without argon, a section which has a higher clogging limit than for the case with argon.
  • This limit difference can be obtained by various means, for example by choosing sections made of packings of different geometries, with or without a modified bottom edge to reduce the resistance to the passage of gas etc.
  • a rich liquid inlet (liquid enriched in oxygen) is provided. Upstream of the column, the liquid is expanded to partially vaporize and it is a liquid flow 6 and a gaseous flow 6A which are sent to the space between the two sections.
  • a liquefied air inlet is provided. Upstream of the column, the liquid is expanded to partially vaporize and it is a liquid flow 8 and a gaseous flow 8A which are sent to the space between the two sections.
  • a liquid nitrogen inlet 17 is provided as well as a liquid nitrogen inlet 18 at the head of the minaret section. If there is no minaret, liquid nitrogen is sent to the head of the column.
  • the Figure 1 therefore illustrates the standardized column 2 connected to function as the low pressure column of a double column without production of argon.
  • the packings of section 25 will have the same density as those of sections 24, 26, 27, 28 and possibly 29 (for example 500 m 2 /m 3 ). On the other hand, it will be necessary to provide openings in the column as illustrated for the Figure 2 .
  • the interior of the column will therefore be identical to that of the Figure 1 apart from the capacity of section 25.
  • a pipe 20 is connected to the lower section below the barrier 71 to supply an argon-enriched gas to the argon separation column.
  • the bottom liquid of this column arrives in the lower section via line 21.
  • the rich liquid vaporized in the top condenser of the argon column arrives via line 13 in the upper section.
  • the rich liquid 6 and the vaporized rich liquid 6A arrive between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 and the liquefied air 8 and the vaporized liquefied air 8A arrive between the third intermediate section 27 and the section upper 28.
  • the nitrogen inlets are identical to those of the Figure 1 .
  • openings are drilled between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26, the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 and between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28.
  • the column is therefore manufactured with openings allowing the subsequent connection of fluid pipes intended for or coming from the argon column and also those allowing the connection to the medium column pressure in the case of argon production or not.
  • a blind flange, or another system will then be put in place to block off the unused inputs and outputs in the case of production without argon and to block off other unused inputs and outputs in the case of production with argon.
  • the opening between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26 will be blocked, the opening between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 will allow the arrival of rich liquid and between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28 of liquefied air.
  • the opening between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26 will allow the arrival of rich liquid
  • the opening between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 will allow the arrival of liquefied air
  • the opening between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28 of air will be blocked.
  • column 2 designed for argon production and column 2 designed not to produce argon.
  • the type or the dimensions of the distributors may vary from one column to another.

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Description

La présente invention est relative à une colonne de séparation d'air par distillation cryogénique, à un appareil de séparation d'air comportant une telle colonne et à un procédé de fabrication d'une telle colonne.The present invention relates to a column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, to an apparatus for separating air comprising such a column and to a process for manufacturing such a column.

Il est parfois nécessaire de modifier les dessins d'un appareil de séparation d'air en cours de conception, en fonction d'un changement des besoins du client. Par exemple, le client peut s'apercevoir qu'il aura besoin d'une production d'argon alors que l'appareil est déjà conçu sans production d'argon, voire existe sans colonne d'argon.It is sometimes necessary to modify the drawings of an air separation unit being designed, according to a change in the customer's needs. For example, the customer may realize that he will need argon production when the device is already designed without argon production, or even exists without an argon column.

Une façon de résoudre ce problème est de concevoir l'appareil avec une colonne capable de produire de l'argon mais qui déverse le gaz épuré en argon dans l'azote résiduaire quand l'argon n'est pas requis. Il est également possible d'augmenter les dimensions de la colonne basse pression. Ces deux solutions nécessitent d'augmenter les coûts d'investissement.One way to solve this problem is to design the apparatus with a column capable of producing argon but dumping the argon-cleaned gas into the waste nitrogen when the argon is not required. It is also possible to increase the dimensions of the low pressure column. Both of these solutions require increased investment costs.

Une installation de distillation d'air permettant la production d'argon est généralement constituée d'une colonne moyenne pression, fonctionnant typiquement sous environ 6 bars absolus, surmontée d'une colonne basse pression fonctionnant typiquement légèrement au-dessus de la pression atmosphérique et à laquelle est couplée une colonne de production d'argon impur. Un condenseur-vaporiseur met en relation d'échange thermique la vapeur de tête de la colonne moyenne pression, constituée d'azote à peu près pur, et le liquide de cuve de la colonne basse pression, constitué d'oxygène à peu près pur.An air distillation installation allowing the production of argon generally consists of a medium pressure column, typically operating at around 6 bar absolute, surmounted by a low pressure column typically operating slightly above atmospheric pressure and at which is coupled to a column for the production of impure argon. A condenser-vaporizer puts the overhead vapor of the medium-pressure column, consisting of nearly pure nitrogen, in a heat exchange relationship with the bottom liquid of the low-pressure column, consisting of nearly pure oxygen.

La colonne basse pression comprend un tronçon de distillation, immédiatement au-dessus de celui-ci, un premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire, et plusieurs tronçons au-dessus du premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire, généralement entre deux et trois.The low pressure column comprises a distillation section, immediately above the latter, a first intermediate distillation section, and several sections above the first intermediate distillation section, generally between two and three.

Chacun des tronçons de distillation est constitué par des blocs de garnissage structuré du type « ondulé-croisé ».Each of the distillation sections consists of blocks of structured packing of the "corrugated-crossed" type.

Comme il est bien connu, un bloc de garnissage ondulé-croisé est constitué d'un paquet de lamelles ondulées disposées chacune dans un plan général vertical et accolées les unes aux autres, chaque lamelle ayant une forme générale rectangulaire. Les lamelles sont ondulées en oblique, et le sens d'inclinaison des ondes est inversé d'une lamelle à la suivante. Toutes les lamelles ont la même hauteur, tandis que leur longueur, ou dimension horizontale, augmente d'une valeur minimale, pour une lamelle extrême, à une valeur maximale pour la lamelle médiane, puis diminue jusqu'à la même valeur minimale pour l'autre lamelle extrême.As is well known, a corrugated-crossed packing block consists of a pack of corrugated lamellae each arranged in a generally vertical plane and joined to one another, each lamella having a generally rectangular shape. The slats are wavy obliquely, and the direction of inclination of the waves is reversed from one slat to the next. All lamellae have the same height, while their length, or horizontal dimension, increases from a minimum value, for an extreme lamella, to a maximum value for the middle lamella, and then decreases to the same minimum value for the another extreme lamella.

Chacun des tronçons est un tronçon de garnissage continu, c'est-à-dire un tronçon constitué d'un empilement direct de blocs élémentaires les uns sur les autres, sans aucun dispositif de redistribution de fluide intermédiaire, chaque bloc élémentaire étant tourné de 90°, autour de l'axe de la colonne, par rapport aux deux couches adjacents.Each of the sections is a continuous packing section, that is to say a section consisting of a direct stack of elementary blocks on top of each other, without any intermediate fluid redistribution device, each elementary block being rotated 90 °, around the axis of the column, with respect to the two adjacent layers.

Le premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire, comme décrit dans EP-A-0664144 , a une section plus petite que celle des autres tronçons et se trouve donc au milieu de la colonne basse pression avec un espace à section annulaire entre le bord du tronçon et la virole principale de la colonne. La colonne est conçue de sorte que la vapeur plus riche en argon puisse être soutirée dans cette espace à section annulaire en dessous d'une baffe qui divise l'espace en une section inférieure et une section supérieure verticalement. Cette vapeur alimente ensuite la colonne argon. Le liquide de cuve de la colonne argon est également renvoyé dans la section inférieure d'où est soutirée la vapeur la plus riche en argon. Le liquide riche vaporisé provenant du condenseur de tête de la colonne argon est envoyé en la section supérieure de l'espace.The first intermediate distillation section, as described in EP-A-0664144 , has a smaller section than the other sections and is therefore in the middle of the low pressure column with an annular section space between the edge of the section and the main shell of the column. The column is designed so that the more argon-rich vapor can be drawn off into this annular section space below a baffle which divides the space into a lower section and an upper section vertically. This vapor then feeds the argon column. The bottom liquid of the argon column is also returned to the lower section from which the vapor richest in argon is withdrawn. The vaporized rich liquid from the top condenser of the argon column is sent to the upper section of the space.

Le premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire est séparé des tronçons adjacents par des distributeurs.The first intermediate distillation section is separated from the adjacent sections by distributors.

Ainsi les soutirages et l'alimentation de gaz dans la colonne, liés à la production d'argon, ne rajoutent pas à la hauteur de la colonne.Thus the withdrawals and the gas supply in the column, linked to the production of argon, do not add to the height of the column.

Le diamètre réduit pour ce premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire est possible, sans augmenter le diamètre de la colonne parce que ce tronçon n'est pas dimensionnant. En effet, une quantité de gaz assez important passe à la colonne argon et donc ne transite pas par ce tronçon.The reduced diameter for this first intermediate distillation section is possible, without increasing the diameter of the column because this section is not sizing. Indeed, a fairly large quantity of gas passes through the argon column and therefore does not pass through this section.

Quand l'installation est conçue pour ne pas produire de l'argon, ce tronçon à section réduite n'est pas installé, selon l'art antérieur.When the installation is designed not to produce argon, this reduced-section section is not installed, according to the prior art.

Un des buts de la présente invention est de concevoir une colonne basse pression qui convient à une production avec ou sans argon. L'idée est d'utiliser une colonne avec premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire à section réduite, avec ou sans production d'argon, et optionnellement de modifier la densité du garnissage dans ce tronçon, avec une densité plus basse pour le cas sans production d'argon et une densité plus élevée pour le cas avec production d'argon.One of the objects of the present invention is to design a low pressure column which is suitable for production with or without argon. The idea is to use a column with a first intermediate distillation section with a reduced section, with or without production of argon, and optionally to modify the density of the packing in this section, with a lower density for the case without production of argon. argon and a higher density for the case with argon production.

L'invention permet d'avoir un modèle standardisé pour la colonne basse pression, avec ou sans production d'argon. Ceci permet de plus de standardiser l'architecture de la boîte froide, y compris les conduites d'amenée de fluides. Le temps de livraison au client peut donc être réduit car il est possible de fabriquer la colonne avant de statuer sur la nécessité de production d'argon ou pas.The invention makes it possible to have a standardized model for the low pressure column, with or without production of argon. This also makes it possible to standardize the architecture of the cold box, including the fluid supply lines. The delivery time to the customer can therefore be reduced because it is possible to manufacture the column before deciding on the need for argon production or not.

Il est connu d'augmenter la capacité d'un tronçon de garnissage en modifiant la géométrie des garnissages, tel que décrit dans EP-A-0707885 .It is known to increase the capacity of a packing section by modifying the geometry of the packings, as described in EP-A-0707885 .

EP-A-0 664 144 décrit une colonne basse pression d'un appareil de séparation d'air pour un usage avec production d'argon dans laquelle toutes les ouvertures présentes sont destinées à être utilisées. Il ne s'agit donc pas d'une colonne standardisée destinée à être adaptée pour des usages ultérieurs différents. EP-A-0 664 144 describes a low pressure column of an air separation apparatus for use with argon production in which all the openings present are intended to be used. It is therefore not a standardized column intended to be adapted for different subsequent uses.

Selon un objet de l'invention, il est prévu une colonne selon la revendication 1.According to an object of the invention, there is provided a column according to claim 1.

Selon un autre objet facultatif de l'invention, la colonne comprend :

  • des ouvertures dans la virole prévues pour relier la section supérieure et la section inférieure avec l'extérieur de la colonne qui ont été condamnées
  • le garnissage dans le premier tronçon intermédiaire a une densité inférieure d'au moins 50 m2/m3 à celle d'au moins un des tronçons adjacents.
  • le garnissage dans le premier tronçon intermédiaire a une géométrie différente à celle d'au moins un des tronçons adjacents.
According to another optional object of the invention, the column comprises:
  • openings in the shell provided to connect the upper section and the lower section with the outside of the column which have been sealed off
  • the packing in the first intermediate section has a lower density of at least 50 m 2 /m 3 than that of at least one of the adjacent sections.
  • the packing in the first intermediate section has a different geometry to that of at least one of the adjacent sections.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un appareil de séparation d'air comprenant une colonne moyenne pression reliée thermiquement à une colonne basse pression tel que décrit ci-dessus ne comprenant pas de moyens pour envoyer un fluide d'un niveau intermédiaire de la colonne basse pression à une autre colonne pour y être séparé.According to another object of the invention, there is provided an air separation device comprising a medium pressure column thermally connected to a low pressure column as described above not comprising means for sending a fluid from a level intermediary of the low pressure column to another column to be separated there.

Selon un autre objet de l'invention, il est prévu un procédé selon la revendication 6.According to another object of the invention, there is provided a method according to claim 6.

Le terme « liquide riche » utilisé ici est un terme de l'art pour désigner un liquide enrichi en oxygène par rapport à l'air.The term “rich liquid” used here is a term of the art to designate a liquid enriched in oxygen with respect to air.

De manière générale, il est intéressant de concevoir une version standardisée de la colonne moyenne pression ainsi que le bas de la colonne basse pression (au moins un tronçon), quels que soient les produits requis et de concevoir le reste de la colonne basse pression en fonction des besoins du clientIn general, it is interesting to design a standardized version of the medium pressure column as well as the bottom of the low pressure column (at least one section), whatever the products required and to design the rest of the low pressure column in according to customer needs

Des exemples de réalisation de l'invention vont maintenant être décrits en regard des dessins annexes, sur lesquels :

  • la Figure 1 représente schématiquement une colonne basse pression d'un appareil de distillation d'air selon l'invention adaptée pour un usage sans production d'argon
  • la Figure 2 représente schématiquement une colonne basse pression d'un appareil de distillation d'air construite utilisant le procédé de fabrication de l'invention étant adaptée pour un usage avec production d'argon
Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the Figure 1 schematically represents a low pressure column of an air distillation apparatus according to the invention adapted for use without the production of argon
  • the Figure 2 schematically represents a low pressure column of an air distillation apparatus constructed using the manufacturing method of the invention being adapted for use with the production of argon

L'installation de distillation d'air dont la colonne basse pression est représentée à la Figure 1 est constituée d'une colonne moyenne pression 1, fonctionnant typiquement sous environ 6 bars absolus, surmontée de la colonne basse pression 2 fonctionnant typiquement légèrement au-dessus de la pression atmosphérique. On note l'absence de toute colonne de production d'argon impur ou pur. Un condenseur-vaporiseur 4 met en relation d'échange thermique la vapeur de tête de la colonne 1, constituée d'azote à peu près pur, et le liquide de cuve de la colonne 2, constitué d'oxygène à peu près pur.The air distillation installation whose low pressure column is shown in Figure 1 consists of a medium pressure column 1, typically operating at around 6 bar absolute, surmounted by the low pressure column 2 typically operating slightly above atmospheric pressure. Note the absence of any impure or pure argon production column. A condenser-vaporizer 4 puts the overhead vapor of column 1, consisting of nearly pure nitrogen, in heat exchange relationship with the bottom liquid of column 2, consisting of nearly pure oxygen.

La colonne 1 reçoit de l'air pressurisé et épuré à séparer et produit un débit liquide enrichi en oxygène et un débit liquide enrichi en azote, qui sont envoyés tous deux à la colonne basse pression 2.Column 1 receives pressurized and purified air to be separated and produces a liquid flow enriched in oxygen and a liquid flow enriched in nitrogen, which are both sent to the low pressure column 2.

L'illustration de la Figure 1 est très schématique et a essentiellement pour but de montrer les entrées/sorties de fluides de l'installation, ainsi que les tronçons de distillation qu'elles définissent.The illustration of the Figure 1 is very schematic and essentially aims to show the fluid inlets/outlets of the installation, as well as the distillation sections that they define.

La virole principale de la colonne basse pression 2 comprend six tronçons de distillation, à savoir :

  • un tronçon de distillation inférieur 24 compris entre la cuve de la colonne avec sa sortie de liquide 10 et le premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire 25
  • immédiatement au-dessus du tronçon 24 avec un distributeur (non-illustré) entre les deux, le premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire 25 en dessous de l'entrée de liquide 6, la section du premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire étant inférieure à celle du tronçon inférieur 24
  • un deuxième tronçon de distillation intermédiaire 26 entre le premier et troisième tronçon de distillation intermédiaire
  • un troisième tronçon de distillation intermédiaire 27 entre le deuxième tronçon intermédiaire et un tronçon de distillation supérieur 28,
  • un tronçon de distillation supérieur 28 compris entre le troisième tronçon de distillation intermédiaire et un tronçon de minaret 29
  • le tronçon de minaret 29 qui a une section inférieure à celle du tronçon de distillation supérieur.
The main shell of the low pressure column 2 comprises six distillation sections, namely:
  • a lower distillation section 24 between the bottom of the column with its liquid outlet 10 and the first intermediate distillation section 25
  • immediately above the section 24 with a distributor (not shown) between the two, the first intermediate distillation section 25 below the liquid inlet 6, the section of the first intermediate distillation section being smaller than that of the section lower 24
  • a second intermediate distillation section 26 between the first and third intermediate distillation section
  • a third intermediate distillation section 27 between the second intermediate section and an upper distillation section 28,
  • an upper distillation section 28 between the third intermediate distillation section and a minaret section 29
  • the minaret section 29 which has a section smaller than that of the upper distillation section.

La section du premier tronçon de distillation intermédiaire étant inférieure à celles du tronçon inférieur, du tronçon supérieur et des deuxième et troisième tronçons intermédiaires. Le tronçon 29 est montré en pointillés car sa présence n'est pas essentielle.The section of the first intermediate distillation section being smaller than those of the lower section, of the upper section and of the second and third intermediate sections. Section 29 is shown in dotted lines because its presence is not essential.

Le premier tronçon intermédiaire 25 est un corps cylindrique composé de garnissages entouré d'une virole auxiliaire de plus petit diamètre que la virole de la colonne. Il est disposé à l'intérieur de la virole de la colonne et entouré d'une espace à section annulaire délimité par la virole de la colonne et la virole auxiliaire entourant les garnissages. Un organe d'étanchéité annulaire 71 relie à joint étanche la virole de la colonne et la virole auxiliaire.The first intermediate section 25 is a cylindrical body composed of packings surrounded by an auxiliary shroud of smaller diameter than the shroud of the column. It is arranged inside the column shroud and surrounded by a space with an annular section delimited by the column shroud and the auxiliary shroud surrounding the packings. An annular sealing member 71 tightly connects the shell of the column and the auxiliary shell.

Chacun des tronçons de distillation 24 à 29 est constitué par des blocs de garnissage organisé du type « ondulé-croisé ».Each of the distillation sections 24 to 29 consists of blocks of organized packing of the "corrugated-crossed" type.

Comme il est bien connu, un bloc de garnissage ondulé-croisé est constitué d'un paquet de lamelles ondulées disposées chacune dans un plan général vertical et accolées les unes aux autres, chaque lamelle ayant une forme générale rectangulaire. Les lamelles sont ondulées en oblique, et le sens d'inclinaison des ondes est inversé d'une lamelle à la suivante. Toutes les lamelles ont la même hauteur, tandis que leur longueur, ou dimension horizontale, augmente d'une valeur minimale, pour une lamelle extrême, à une valeur maximale pour la lamelle médiane, puis diminue jusqu'à la même valeur minimale pour l'autre lamelle extrême.As is well known, a corrugated-crossed packing block consists of a pack of corrugated lamellae each arranged in a generally vertical plane and joined to one another, each lamella having a generally rectangular shape. The slats are wavy obliquely, and the direction of inclination of the waves is reversed from one slat to the next. All slats have the same height, while their length, or horizontal dimension, increases from a minimum value, for an extreme lamella, to a maximum value for the middle lamella, then decreases to the same minimum value for the other extreme lamella.

Chacun des tronçons 24 à 29 est un tronçon de garnissage continu, c'est-à-dire un tronçon constitué d'un empilement direct de couches (en anglais « packs ») élémentaires les uns sur les autres, sans aucun dispositif de redistribution de fluide intermédiaire, chaque couche élémentaire étant tourné de 90°, autour de l'axe de la colonne, par rapport aux deux couches adjacents. Ceci est rendu possible, malgré la grande hauteur de certains tronçons, notamment des tronçons 24 et 28, qui peuvent comporter respectivement 38 et 50 plateaux théoriques, grâce à plusieurs caractéristiques qui apparaitront dans la suite.Each of the sections 24 to 29 is a continuous packing section, that is to say a section consisting of a direct stack of elementary layers (in English "packs") on top of each other, without any device for redistributing intermediate fluid, each elementary layer being turned by 90°, around the axis of the column, with respect to the two adjacent layers. This is made possible, despite the great height of certain sections, in particular sections 24 and 28, which can comprise respectively 38 and 50 theoretical plates, thanks to several characteristics which will appear below.

Les tronçons de distillation 24 et 25 d'une part, 25 et 26 d'autre part, 26 et 27, 27 et 28, enfin 28 et 29, sont séparés les uns des autres par un distributeur.The distillation sections 24 and 25 on the one hand, 25 and 26 on the other hand, 26 and 27, 27 and 28, finally 28 and 29, are separated from each other by a distributor.

Alors que la colonne basse pression n'est pas destinée à être reliée à une colonne de production d'argon, elle contient néanmoins le tronçon 25 à section réduite qui est généralement utilisé pour les colonnes basse pression alimentant une colonne de production d'argon.While the low pressure column is not intended to be connected to an argon production column, it nevertheless contains the reduced section section 25 which is generally used for low pressure columns supplying an argon production column.

Alors que dans une colonne basse pression alimentant une colonne de production d'argon, les garnissages utilisés pour les cinq tronçons 24 à 28 sont identiques, les garnissages utilisés pour le premier tronçon intermédiaire 25 sont moins denses que ceux des tronçons 24, 26, 27, 28 et éventuellement 29. La présence du tronçon 29 n'est pas essentielle.While in a low pressure column supplying an argon production column, the packings used for the five sections 24 to 28 are identical, the packings used for the first intermediate section 25 are less dense than those of the sections 24, 26, 27 , 28 and possibly 29. The presence of the section 29 is not essential.

Ceci veut dire qu'en construisant la colonne, la décision de la capacité de garnissage à installer dans le premier tronçon intermédiaire peut être prise très tardivement, dès que la décision est prise de produire de l'argon ou pas. La virole principale et les connexions extérieures peuvent être fabriquées et seule l'installation du tronçon 25 détermine l'usage ultime que l'on fera de la colonne 2.This means that when building the column, the decision of the packing capacity to be installed in the first intermediate section can be taken very late, as soon as the decision is made to produce argon or not. The main shell and external connections can be fabricated and only the installation of section 25 determines the ultimate use that will be made of column 2.

Afin de modifier la capacité du garnissage du tronçon 25, plusieurs possibilités s'ouvrent. Comme proposé dans EP-A-0707885 , il est possible de modifier les bords du tronçon de garnissage afin de réduire la résistance au passage de gaz dans la partie inférieure et/ou supérieure du tronçon par rapport à l'intérieur du tronçon.In order to modify the capacity of the packing of the section 25, several possibilities open up. As suggested in EP-A-0707885 , it is possible to modify the edges of the packing section in order to reduce the resistance to the passage of gas in the lower and/or upper part of the section relative to the inside of the section.

Il est également possible de choisir un garnissage moins dense d'au moins 50m2/m3 pour le tronçon 25 que pour les tronçons 24 et 26. Ainsi le garnissage pour le tronçon 25 peut avoir une densité moyenne de 350 m2/m3 alors que la densité moyenne des garnissages pour les tronçons 24 et 26 sera de 500 m2/m3.It is also possible to choose a less dense packing of at least 50m 2 /m 3 for section 25 than for sections 24 and 26. Thus the packing for section 25 can have an average density of 350 m 2 /m 3 whereas the average density of the packings for the sections 24 and 26 will be 500 m 2 /m 3 .

Le but est de choisir, pour le cas sans argon, un tronçon qui a une limite d'engorgement plus élevée que pour le cas avec argon. Cette différence de limite peut être obtenue de divers moyens, par exemple en choisissant des tronçons faits de garnissages de géométries différentes, avec ou sans un bord bas modifié pour réduire la résistance au passage de gaz etc.The goal is to choose, for the case without argon, a section which has a higher clogging limit than for the case with argon. This limit difference can be obtained by various means, for example by choosing sections made of packings of different geometries, with or without a modified bottom edge to reduce the resistance to the passage of gas etc.

Entre le premier et le deuxième tronçon intermédiaire, une arrivée de liquide riche (liquide enrichi en oxygène) est prévue. En amont de la colonne, le liquide est détendu pour se vaporiser partiellement et ce sont un débit liquide 6 et un débit gazeux 6A qui sont envoyés à l'espace entre les deux tronçons.Between the first and the second intermediate section, a rich liquid inlet (liquid enriched in oxygen) is provided. Upstream of the column, the liquid is expanded to partially vaporize and it is a liquid flow 6 and a gaseous flow 6A which are sent to the space between the two sections.

Entre le deuxième et le troisième tronçon intermédiaires, une arrivée d'air liquéfié est prévue. En amont de la colonne, le liquide est détendu pour se vaporiser partiellement et ce sont un débit liquide 8 et un débit gazeux 8A qui sont envoyés à l'espace entre les deux tronçons.Between the second and the third intermediate sections, a liquefied air inlet is provided. Upstream of the column, the liquid is expanded to partially vaporize and it is a liquid flow 8 and a gaseous flow 8A which are sent to the space between the two sections.

Entre le tronçon supérieur 28 et le tronçon de minaret 29 (optionnel), une arrivée d'azote liquide 17 est prévue ainsi qu'une arrivée d'azote liquide 18 en tête de tronçon de minaret. En cas d'absence de minaret, l'azote liquide est envoyé en tête de colonne.Between the upper section 28 and the minaret section 29 (optional), a liquid nitrogen inlet 17 is provided as well as a liquid nitrogen inlet 18 at the head of the minaret section. If there is no minaret, liquid nitrogen is sent to the head of the column.

La Figure 1 illustre donc la colonne standardisée 2 reliée pour fonctionner comme la colonne basse pression d'une double colonne sans production d'argon.The Figure 1 therefore illustrates the standardized column 2 connected to function as the low pressure column of a double column without production of argon.

S'il est décidé d'utiliser la même colonne 2 pour être la colonne alimentant une colonne de production d'argon, les garnissages du tronçon 25 auront la même densité que ceux des tronçons 24, 26,27, 28 et éventuellement 29 (par exemple 500 m2/m3). Par contre, il va falloir prévoir des ouvertures dans la colonne comme illustré pour la Figure 2.If it is decided to use the same column 2 to be the column feeding an argon production column, the packings of section 25 will have the same density as those of sections 24, 26, 27, 28 and possibly 29 (for example 500 m 2 /m 3 ). On the other hand, it will be necessary to provide openings in the column as illustrated for the Figure 2 .

L'intérieur de la colonne sera donc identique à celui de la Figure 1 à part la capacité du tronçon 25. Au niveau du tronçon 25, une conduite 20 est reliée à la section inférieure en dessous de la barrière 71 pour amener un gaz enrichi en argon vers la colonne de séparation d'argon. Le liquide de cuve de cette colonne arrive dans la section inférieure via la conduite 21. Le liquide riche vaporisé dans le condenseur de tête de la colonne argon arrive par la conduite 13 dans la section supérieure.The interior of the column will therefore be identical to that of the Figure 1 apart from the capacity of section 25. At section 25, a pipe 20 is connected to the lower section below the barrier 71 to supply an argon-enriched gas to the argon separation column. The bottom liquid of this column arrives in the lower section via line 21. The rich liquid vaporized in the top condenser of the argon column arrives via line 13 in the upper section.

Pour les débits de reflux, le liquide riche 6 et le liquide riche vaporisé 6A arrivent entre les deuxième et troisième tronçons intermédiaires 26, 27 et l'air liquéfié 8 et l'air liquéfié vaporisé 8A arrivent entre le troisième tronçon intermédiaire 27 et le tronçon supérieur 28. Les arrivées d'azote sont identiques à celles de la Figure 1.For the reflux flows, the rich liquid 6 and the vaporized rich liquid 6A arrive between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 and the liquefied air 8 and the vaporized liquefied air 8A arrive between the third intermediate section 27 and the section upper 28. The nitrogen inlets are identical to those of the Figure 1 .

Ainsi avant de savoir si la colonne 2 servira pour produire de l'argon ou pas, des ouvertures sont percées entre les premier et deuxième tronçons intermédiaires 25, 26, les deuxième et troisième tronçons intermédiaires 26, 27 et entre le troisième tronçon intermédiaire 27 et le tronçon supérieur 28. La colonne est donc fabriquée avec des ouvertures permettant la connexion ultérieure de conduites de fluides destinés à ou provenant de la colonne argon et également celles permettant la connexion à la colonne moyenne pression dans le cas de production d'argon ou pas.Thus before knowing whether column 2 will be used to produce argon or not, openings are drilled between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26, the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 and between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28. The column is therefore manufactured with openings allowing the subsequent connection of fluid pipes intended for or coming from the argon column and also those allowing the connection to the medium column pressure in the case of argon production or not.

Une bride pleine, ou un autre système sera alors mis pour condamner les entrées et sorties inutilisées dans le cas de production sans argon et pour condamner d'autres entrées et sortie inutilisées dans le cas de production avec argon.A blind flange, or another system will then be put in place to block off the unused inputs and outputs in the case of production without argon and to block off other unused inputs and outputs in the case of production with argon.

En cas de production d'argon, l'ouverture entre les premier et deuxième tronçons intermédiaires 25, 26 sera bouchée, l'ouverture entre les deuxième et troisième tronçons intermédiaires 26, 27 permettra l'arrivée de liquide riche et entre le troisième tronçon intermédiaire 27 et le tronçon supérieur 28 d'air liquéfié.In case of production of argon, the opening between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26 will be blocked, the opening between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 will allow the arrival of rich liquid and between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28 of liquefied air.

En l'absence de production d'argon, l'ouverture entre les premier et deuxième tronçons intermédiaires 25, 26 permettra l'arrivée de liquide riche, l'ouverture entre les deuxième et troisième tronçons intermédiaires 26, 27 permettra l'arrivée d'air liquéfié et l'ouverture entre le troisième tronçon intermédiaire 27 et le tronçon supérieur 28 d'air sera bouchée.In the absence of argon production, the opening between the first and second intermediate sections 25, 26 will allow the arrival of rich liquid, the opening between the second and third intermediate sections 26, 27 will allow the arrival of liquefied air and the opening between the third intermediate section 27 and the upper section 28 of air will be blocked.

Il est néanmoins possible qu'il y ait d'autres différences entre la colonne 2 conçue pour une production d'argon et la colonne 2 conçue pour ne pas produire de l'argon. En particulier, le type ou les dimensions des distributeurs peuvent varier d'une colonne à l'autre.It is nevertheless possible that there are other differences between column 2 designed for argon production and column 2 designed not to produce argon. In particular, the type or the dimensions of the distributors may vary from one column to another.

Claims (6)

  1. Column (2) for separating air by cryogenic distillation having one shell and at least five distillation sections (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29), each section being made up of a stack of cross-corrugated structured packing blocks, each block comprising a packet of rectangular corrugated plates, the at least five distillation sections comprising at least a first intermediate distillation section (25) of the column surrounded by an auxiliary shell around which is delimited, in the radial direction of the column, a space divided into a lower section and an upper section, and a second intermediate distillation section (26) being arranged such that, when the column is in use, the second intermediate section is above the first intermediate section, the intermediate sections being positioned in an intermediate portion of the column, the shell comprising a first opening in the space between the first and second intermediate sections and a second opening above the second intermediate section, the first and second openings being designed to be connected to a liquid inlet pipe, and, when the column is in use, the second opening being open, the packing is selected such that, when the column is in use, the capacity of the first intermediate section is greater than the capacity of at least one adjacent section, or than the capacity of the other sections of the column, and the at least five distillation sections comprising a third intermediate distillation section (27) arranged such that, when the column is in use, the third intermediate section is above the second intermediate section, the second opening being in the space between the second and third intermediate sections and a third opening being in the space above the third section and being designed to be connected to a liquid inlet pipe, and when the column is in use, the third opening being closed off.
  2. Column according to Claim 1, comprising openings in the shell that are provided to link the upper section and the lower section to the outside of the column, which openings have been closed off.
  3. Column according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packing in the first intermediate section (25) is at least 50 m2/m3 less dense than at least one of the adjacent sections (24, 26).
  4. Air separating device comprising a medium-pressure column (1) linked thermally to a low-pressure column (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 that does not comprise means for sending a fluid from an intermediate level of the low-pressure column to another column to be separated therein.
  5. Device according to Claim 4, wherein the first opening is open when the low-pressure column (2) is in use.
  6. Method for manufacturing a column (2) of an air separating device, wherein
    a) a low-pressure column having a main shell is built,
    b) at least five distillation sections (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) are installed therein, each section being made up of a stack of cross-corrugated structured packing blocks, each block comprising a packet of rectangular corrugated plates, the at least five distillation sections comprising at least a first intermediate distillation section (25) of the low-pressure column being surrounded by an auxiliary shell around which is delimited, in the radial direction of the column, a space divided into a lower section and an upper section, second and third intermediate distillation sections (26, 27) being arranged such that, when the column is in use, the second intermediate section (26) is above the first intermediate section and the third intermediate section (27) is above the second intermediate section, the intermediate sections being positioned in an intermediate portion of the low-pressure column,
    c) a first opening in the space between the first and second intermediate sections, a second opening in the space between the second and third sections and a third opening in the space above the third section are formed in the main shell in such a way that the first, second and third openings are designed to be connected to a liquid inlet pipe and
    i) if the column is not intended to be connected to an argon-production column, packing is installed for the first intermediate section, the packing being selected such that, when the column is in use, the capacity of the first intermediate section is greater than the capacity of at least one adjacent section (24, 26), or than the capacity of the other sections of the column, and the third opening is blocked and the first and second openings are left open, and
    ii) if the column is intended to be connected to an argon-production column, packing is installed for the first intermediate section, the packing being selected such that, when the column is in use, the capacity of the first intermediate section is the same as the capacity of the other sections of the column (24, 26, 27, 28, 29), the first opening is blocked and the second and third openings are left open.
EP15706916.2A 2014-02-14 2015-02-13 Column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, air separation device comprising such a column and method for producing such a column Active EP3105520B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1451166A FR3017698B1 (en) 2014-02-14 2014-02-14 AIR SEPARATION COLUMN BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION, AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS COMPRISING SUCH A COLUMN, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A COLUMN
PCT/FR2015/050355 WO2015121593A2 (en) 2014-02-14 2015-02-13 Column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, air separation device comprising such a column and method for producing such a column

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EP3105520A2 EP3105520A2 (en) 2016-12-21
EP3105520B1 true EP3105520B1 (en) 2022-01-26

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EP15706916.2A Active EP3105520B1 (en) 2014-02-14 2015-02-13 Column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, air separation device comprising such a column and method for producing such a column

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US (1) US10473392B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3105520B1 (en)
CN (2) CN106211791B (en)
FR (1) FR3017698B1 (en)
WO (2) WO2015121594A2 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3931922B1 (en) * 2019-02-25 2022-11-09 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Apparatus for exchanging heat and material
FR3123421B1 (en) * 2021-05-27 2023-07-14 Air Liquide Argon purification system by cryogenic distillation

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US4784677A (en) * 1987-07-16 1988-11-15 The Boc Group, Inc. Process and apparatus for controlling argon column feedstreams
EP0665042A2 (en) * 1990-12-17 1995-08-02 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Air distillation column with a corrugated cross packing
DE4224068A1 (en) * 1992-03-20 1993-09-23 Linde Ag METHOD FOR DEEP TEMPERATURE DISASSEMBLY OF AIR AND AIR DISASSEMBLY SYSTEM
US5339648A (en) * 1993-08-05 1994-08-23 Praxair Technology, Inc. Distillation system with partitioned column
CN1091646C (en) * 1994-10-04 2002-10-02 普莱克斯技术有限公司 Structured packing with improved capacity for rectification systems
US5946942A (en) * 1998-08-05 1999-09-07 Praxair Technology, Inc. Annular column for cryogenic rectification
US6202441B1 (en) * 1999-05-25 2001-03-20 Air Liquide Process And Construction, Inc. Cryogenic distillation system for air separation
US6240744B1 (en) * 1999-12-13 2001-06-05 Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. Process for distillation of multicomponent fluid and production of an argon-enriched stream from a cryogenic air separation process
FR2814229B1 (en) * 2000-09-19 2002-10-25 Air Liquide METHOD AND PLANT FOR AIR SEPARATION BY CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION
US6321567B1 (en) * 2000-10-06 2001-11-27 Praxair Technology, Inc. Structured packing system for reduced distillation column height
FR2854579B1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2005-06-17 Air Liquide DISTILLATION PLANT COMPRISING COLUMNS WITH CORRUGATED-CROSS STRUCTURES AND METHOD OF INCREASING THE CAPACITY OF A DISTILLATION FACILITY
US7204101B2 (en) * 2003-10-06 2007-04-17 Air Liquide Large Industries U.S. Lp Methods and systems for optimizing argon recovery in an air separation unit
US20080185350A1 (en) * 2007-02-05 2008-08-07 Koch-Glitsch, Lp Method and apparatus for separating oil sand particulates from a three-phase stream
CN201221888Y (en) * 2008-05-06 2009-04-15 核工业西南物理研究院 Operating condition-variable upper tower with argon

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FR3017698B1 (en) 2019-03-29
CN106211791B (en) 2019-12-31
WO2015121593A2 (en) 2015-08-20
CN105992923A (en) 2016-10-05
WO2015121594A4 (en) 2016-02-04
US20170023296A1 (en) 2017-01-26
FR3017698A1 (en) 2015-08-21
WO2015121594A2 (en) 2015-08-20
CN105992923B (en) 2019-07-02
WO2015121594A3 (en) 2015-12-17
EP3105520A2 (en) 2016-12-21
CN106211791A (en) 2016-12-07
US10473392B2 (en) 2019-11-12
WO2015121593A3 (en) 2015-12-17

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