Patents by Inventor Karl K. Kibler
Karl K. Kibler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10337792Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid or vapor product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Neil M. Prosser, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20180209727Abstract: A pre-fabricated or shop-built structural support assembly cold box structures containing distillation columns or other cold box equipment in an air separation unit is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Karl K. Kibler, Nick J. Degenstein
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Patent number: 9920988Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Michael J. Lockett, Dante P. Bonaquist, Maulik R. Shelat, Karl K. Kibler
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Patent number: 9664442Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Patent number: 9599396Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20160356546Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Michael J. Lockett, Dante P. Bonaquist, Maulik R. Shelat, Karl K. Kibler
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Patent number: 9488407Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Patent number: 9453674Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Michael J. Lockett, Dante P. Bonaquist, Maulik R. Shelat, Karl K. Kibler
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Publication number: 20160258677Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20160258678Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Patent number: 9366476Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20160153712Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid or vapor product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20160131425Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2016Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Patent number: 9291389Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20160076809Abstract: A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20150323247Abstract: A sub-cooler type heat exchanger assembly and system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant is provided. The sub-cooler type heat exchanger includes at least two separate heat exchange segments within the same housing or shell and is configured to concurrently cool two or more upward flowing cryogenic liquids using nitrogen-rich streams from the lower pressure distillation column.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Maulik R. Shelat, Karl K. Kibler, Rachel M. Hohl
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Publication number: 20150316318Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
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Publication number: 20150168053Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Michael J. Lockett, Dante P. Bonaquist, Maulik R. Shelat, Karl K. Kibler
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Publication number: 20140165650Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger and distillation column arrangement for an air separation plant utilizing such heat exchanger in which tubes for passage of a liquid that is used in condensing a vapor are located within a cylindrical shell. The tubes are arranged in an inner array of tubes and an outer array of tubes surrounding the inner array of tubes and having more tubes than the inner array. The inner array of tubes present a larger average area, between tubes, for flow of the vapor in an outward, radial direction than tubes of the outer array to lessen pressure drop while allowing for more tubes to be located within the shell to increase the surface area available for heat exchange between the liquid and the vapor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Inventors: Richard John Jibb, Kathryn Oseen-Senda, Sang Muk Kwark, Karl K. Kibler