Abstract: A multi-stage compressor, for an air separation unit comprising such a compressor and to an installation is provided.

Abstract: In order to boost production of a product (A) of an existing separation plant (X, 1), an additional plant (Y) is integrated with the original plant so as to enable the original plant (X) to produce more of that product (A+B), whilst the additional plant may or may not necessarily itself produce the same product directly. For example, air is separated in a first unit, which is an existing double column distillation plant, to produce an oxygen rich fluid. So as to increase the production of the oxygen rich fluid, a second unit, which is a wash column (15), is integrated with the first unit. Air (41) is separated in the single nitrogen wash column (15) to remove oxygen and gaseous nirogen (42) is produced at the top of the column. The wash column is fed with liquid nitrogen (39) from the high pressure column (25) of an existing air separation unit.

Abstract: A mixture containing oxygen is introduced into a distillation column (1); an intermediate stream, substantially free from impurities heavier than oxygen, is withdrawn (at 17) at a level of the column located above the point (4) of introduction of the air, the point (22) of withdrawal being separated from this point (4) of introduction by a distillation section (6), particularly with packing; the stream withdrawn (at 17) is sent to an oxygen purification column (2), and a reflux liquid is distributed over the section (6) by a distributor (9). A predetermined non-uniformity of the distribution of the reflux liquid over the upper surface (8) of the section (6) is effected in at least one localized region (23) of this surface.

Abstract: A mixture containing oxygen is introduced into a distillation column (1); an intermediate stream, substantially free from impurities heavier than oxygen, is withdrawn (at 17) at a level of the column located above the point (4) of introduction of the air, the point (22) of withdrawal being separated from this point (4) of introduction by a distillation section (6), particularly with packing; the stream withdrawn (at 17) is sent to an oxygen purification column (2), and a reflux liquid is distributed over said section (6) by means of a distributor (9).

Abstract: This reboiler-condenser (1) comprises two exchanger parts (2A, 2B) one placed above the other. The lower part (2A), immersed in the liquid, has supplied vaporization passages (8A). The vapour which leaves therefrom is sent to the inlet of the vaporization passages (8B) of the upper part and liquid is delivered into the stream of vapour which penetrates each of these passages. Application to the vaporization of liquid oxygen by the condensation of nitrogen.

Abstract: This distributor (1) includes: a primary distributor (3) which delimits a closed volume provided with liquid predistribution openings (8) which open into the column; a device for feeding the primary distributor (3) with liquid under a pressure very much greater than the internal pressure of the column; and a secondary distributor (4) which occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the column, which includes a gas overhead in communication with the internal space of the column and which is subdivided by partitions (13, 17) into a plurality of compartments (16), each of which receives liquid originating from at least one of the said openings (8) of the primary distributor (3), this secondary distributor (4) having a bottom (9) provided with orifices (12) for fine distribution of the liquid over virtually the entire cross-section of the column, the number of these orifices being very much greater than the number of openings (8) of the primary distributor.

Abstract: This liquid distributor includes: a primary distributor (13) including liquid-distribution openings and delimiting N1 first compartments (22), each provided with liquid feed elements means (10, 11); and a secondary distributor (14), arranged under the primary distributor (13) and including a dish with openworked perforated bottom which occupies substantially the entire cross-section of the distillation column (2), this dish being subdivided by partitions (25) into N2 second compartments (24), with N2>N1.

Abstract: A plant for separation of a gas mixture comprises at least two columns which are of the same length. The tops of two of the columns are at the same height.

Abstract: A plant for separation of a gas mixture comprises at least two columns which are of the same length. The tops of two of the columns are at the same height.

Abstract: A plant for separation of a gas mixture comprises at least two columns which are of the same length. The tops of two of the columns are at the same height.

Abstract: A process and installation for the separation of air in a cryogenic distillation apparatus (24) comprising a distillation column (30, 42) and in which the supplied air is separated to produce a fraction rich in oxygen and a fraction rich in nitrogen as products. The purities of these products are maintained substantially constant during variations of demand of either product or of the flow rate or of the pressure of the supplied air by introducing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen into the distillation apparatus when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air increases, and by withdrawing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen from the distillation apparatus, and storing this liquid, when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air decreases.

Abstract: An installation for the production of argon comprising a double column (1, 3) and an argon purification column (5). An auxiliary column (9) serves to effect the nitrogen-oxygen separation, and is supplied by a stream from the low pressure column (3). Therefore, nitrogen does not contaminate the stream sent to the argon purification column (5).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, according to which:a) a flow to be purified, comprising at least 90 mol % of a compound chosen from nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or a mixture of these compounds and at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, is cooled to a temperature of less than -40.degree. C.;b) the cooled flow is passed through an adsorbent for the adsorption of at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, the adsorbent comprising at least one porous metal oxide;c) a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO is recovered.

Abstract: A process and installation for the separation of air in a cryogenic distillation apparatus (24) comprising a distillation column (30, 42) and in which the supplied air is separated to produce a fraction rich in oxygen and a fraction rich in nitrogen as products. The purities of these products are maintained substantially constant during variations of demand of either product or of the flow rate or of the pressure of the supplied air by introducing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen into the distillation apparatus when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air increases, and by withdrawing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen from the distillation apparatus, and storing this liquid, when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air decreases.

Abstract: A method for the control of the operation of an installation for the separation of air by cryogenic distillation comprising a double distillation column wherein the top of a medium pressure column and the base of a low pressure column are thermally interconnected by a vaporizer-condenser supplied with liquid oxygen from a bath of liquid oxygen in the base of the low pressure column. Liquid oxygen from the bath is continuously tested to detect the content of nitrous oxide in the bath, and upon the detection of a fall in the nitrous oxide content of the bath when the installation is operating under equilibrium conditions, the flow of liquid oxygen to the vaporizer-condenser is increased to raise the detected nitrous oxide content of the bath. But when the detected nitrous oxide level falls, then either a liquid oxygen purge line is opened farther, or else the operating time or pressure of switching adsorbers in the air supply is changed.

Abstract: A process and installation for the separation of air in a cryogenic distillation apparatus (24) comprising a distillation column (30, 42) and in which the supplied air is separated to produce a fraction rich in oxygen and a fraction rich in nitrogen as products. The purities of these products are maintained substantially constant during variations of demand of either product or of the flow rate or of the pressure of the supplied air by introducing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen into the distillation apparatus when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air increases, and by withdrawing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen from the distillation apparatus, and storing this liquid, when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air decreases.

Abstract: Process and installation for the production of variable flow rates of at least one pure component by fractionation of a mixture in a distillation apparatus (15), containing structured packing (17) and dimensioned to handle a nominal flow rate of the mixture at nominal pressure. To obtain higher production than the nominal production, there is increased proportionately to the ratio of the productions, the flow rate of the mixture distilled in the apparatus (15). Also increased is the operating pressure of the apparatus so as to increase the flooding limit of the apparatus under similar proportions. Preferably, the mixture is air. There is a compressor (3) for the mixture to be fractionated designed for nominal capacity and, upstream of the latter, a blower (1). Alternatively, there can be a compressor (3) for the mixture to be fractionated designed for maximum capacity.

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.

Abstract: In this process having two turbines and at least two stages for compressing the cycle gas, the two turbines are fed at the same intake pressure, the cycle gas is expanded in the warm turbine down to a first exhaust pressure, and the cycle gas is expanded in the cold turbine down to a second exhaust pressure lower than the first exhaust pressure.

Abstract: A process and installation for the separation of air in a cryogenic distillation apparatus (24) comprising a distillation column (30, 42) and in which the supplied air is separated to produce a fraction rich in oxygen and a fraction rich in nitrogen as products. The purities of these products are maintained substantially constant during variations of demand of either product or of the flow rate or of the pressure of the supplied air by introducing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen into the distillation apparatus when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air increases, and by withdrawing an excess of liquid rich in nitrogen from the distillation apparatus, and storing this liquid, when the demand for the product or the flow rate of the supplied air decreases.