Abstract: A heat exchanger having a first counterflow heat exchange unit with first and second segments wherein a flow of at least one product from a cryogenic air separation unit is channeled in a first direction along both the first and second segments and a second counterflow heat exchange unit is juxtaposed to the second segment of the first counterflow heat exchange unit and receives a flow of feed air which is channeled in a second direction that is counter to the first direction and allows heat exchange between the product and the air. A crossflow subcooling unit is juxtaposed to the first segment and receives at least one process cryogenic liquid from the air separation system for subcooling.

Abstract: A dual feed pressure cryogenic air separation system wherein all the feed air is pressurized to an intermediate pressure and cleaned of high boiling impurities at that intermediate pressure, and a portion further compressed to the high pressure and then cooled against another portion so as to prepare that other portion for the turboexpansion to the low pressure, preferably with the turboexpansion driving the further compression.

Abstract: A method for operating a cryogenic rectification column for the separation of the components of air by cryogenic rectification, whereby the column may be operated above its design capacity without encountering flooding, by passing vapor upward through the column at a flowrate which generates a pressure drop within the column of at least 0.7 inches of water per foot of packing height through a height of defined structured packing sheets having a different structure in their upper and lower portions.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein a product boiler is incorporated into the primary heat exchanger without encountering boiling to dryness problems wherein liquid from the cryogenic rectification plant is processed in a phase separator upstream of the product boiler, and fluid from the product boiler is passed into the phase separator prior to recovery.

Abstract: A system for achieving a low level of nitrogen in a lower pressure column in the feed to the argon column in a cryogenic air separation system by use of two beds of structured packing of about equal height in the lower pressure column, with mixing and redistribution of liquid between them. The packed beds are located between the feed from the argon column top condenser and the point where the argon column feed is withdrawn.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system employing two rectifying sections in parallel within either the lower pressure column of a double column or in a side column, for producing product oxygen at both low and high purity.

Abstract: A baffle which extends over the cross section of a liquid-vapor contacting column and is suspended above a distributor floor. The baffle, having an open space, converges and mixes liquid flow falling from a liquid-vapor contacting zone above, before dispersing it to the distributor below. The open space of the baffle, may also be fitted with a mixing device for further enhancement of liquid mixing.

Abstract: A downflow heat exchanger, particularly applicable as the main condenser/reboiler of a double column cryogenic air separation plant, wherein liquid distribution for uniform flow is carried out above the vapor passages and the well distributed liquid is passed into the liquid passages, preferably angularly onto the bridge fins, and then down through the liquid passages cocurrently with vapor in adjacent vapor passages.

Abstract: The invention comprises a downflow shell and tube condenser, especially useful for cryogenic rectification, which includes a shell having an upper tube sheet and a lower tube sheet, the shell extending above the upper tube sheet to create a first reservoir. A plurality of heat transfer tubes extend between the upper tube sheet and the lower tube sheet and also pass through the lower tube sheet. Cold liquid entering the heat transfer tubes flows down through the tubes and causes a condensation of vapor that is in contact therewith within the shell. The cold liquid is at least partially vaporized and exits from the lowermost ends of the heat transfer tubes.

Abstract: A heat and/or mass exchange structure which includes a shell having an outer vertical wall with an interior surface, a plurality of first corrugated packing sheets having an outer edge that is spaced away from the interior surface of the shell, and a plurality of second corrugated packing sheets positioned within the shell and sandwiched between a pair of the first corrugated packing sheets.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system employing an additional rectifying section in parallel with the lower section of the lower pressure column of a double column for producing product oxygen at both low and high purity.