Abstract: An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.

Abstract: The jacking system and method for using it to lower an upper column section without the use of a crane is provided. The jacking system is configured to be disposed on a roof of a cold box module and may include: a structural assembly; and a plurality of suspension rods supported at an upper end by the structural assembly, wherein the plurality of suspension rods is configured to provide support to the upper column section.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cold box module and resulting apparatus is provided. The method can include providing a cold box module having framing and an upper and lower module sections, introducing an upper column section longitudinally into the upper module section while the upper module section is substantially horizontal; introducing a lower column section longitudinally into the lower module section while the lower module section is substantially horizontal; releasably attaching the lower column section to the lower module section using shipping saddle spacers and support saddles; and attaching a skirt attachment to the lower column section and the lower module section, wherein the skirt attachment is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport.

Abstract: A method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing an upper module section having an upper column section disposed within and secured to the upper module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; providing a lower module section having a lower column section disposed within and secured to the lower module section; erecting the lower module section from a horizontal position to a vertical position at an installation site; lifting the upper module section from a horizontal position and attaching the upper module section, while in a vertical position, to a top portion of the lower module section; lowering the upper column section, independent of the upper module section, toward the lower column section; and welding the upper column section and the lower column section together.

Abstract: A facility for dip-coating a metal strip in continuous motion includes: a liquid coating metal bath from which the strip exits in a vertical strand; a bottom roller, a decambering roller, and, optionally, a stabilizing roller, all immersed in the liquid-metal bath; drying blades at an exit of the bath, for injecting compressed gas in order to remove excess coating that has not yet solidified so as to create a drying wave having a downward return stream of liquid metal; and a dissipating hydrodynamic-stabilization device placed between the drying blades and a last immersed roller, the dissipating hydrodynamic-stabilization device including a plurality of hydrodynamic pads for applying a load to at least one side of the metal strip and mounted so as to pivot around hinges so as to self-align the pads, the plurality of hydrodynamic pads extending transversely across a width of the strip.

Abstract: A facility for dip-coating a metal strip in continuous motion includes: a liquid coating metal bath from which the strip exits in a vertical strand; a bottom roller, a decambering roller, and, optionally, a stabilizing roller, all immersed in the liquid-metal bath; drying blades at an exit of the bath, for injecting compressed gas in order to remove excess coating that has not yet solidified so as to create a drying wave having a downward return stream of liquid metal; and a dissipating hydrodynamic-stabilization device placed between the drying blades and a last immersed roller, the dissipating hydrodynamic-stabilization device including a plurality of hydrodynamic pads for applying a load to at least one side of the metal strip and mounted so as to pivot around hinges so as to self-align the pads, the plurality of hydrodynamic pads extending transversely across a width of the strip.

Abstract: The jacking system and method for using it to lower an upper column section without the use of a crane is provided.

Abstract: A method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing an upper module section having an upper column section disposed within and secured to the upper module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; providing a lower module section having a lower column section disposed within and secured to the lower module section; erecting the lower module section from a horizontal position to a vertical position at an installation site; lifting the upper module section from a horizontal position and attaching the upper module section, while in a vertical position, to a top portion of the lower module section; lowering the upper column section, independent of the upper module section, toward the lower column section; and welding the upper column section and the lower column section together.

Abstract: A method for constructing a cold box module and resulting apparatus is provided. The method can include providing a cold box module having framing and an upper and lower module sections, introducing an upper column section longitudinally into the upper module section while the upper module section is substantially horizontal; introducing a lower column section longitudinally into the lower module section while the lower module section is substantially horizontal; releasably attaching the lower column section to the lower module section using shipping saddle spacers and support saddles; and attaching a skirt attachment to the lower column section and the lower module section, wherein the skirt attachment is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.

Abstract: A method for condensing argon can include two flow streams interacting with each other in a heat exchanger found within a cold box: a stream of gaseous argon enters the heat exchanger to be cooled down below its liquefaction point by a stream of pressurized liquid nitrogen entering the heat exchanger. While passing through the heat exchanger, gaseous argon is gradually cooled down until it is condensed into liquid, flowing by gravity to the nearby liquid argon storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

Abstract: A method of installing a vaporizer in a remote manufacturing yard is provided. The method can include the steps of obtaining a lower stage and an upper stage of a vaporizer; obtaining a first column section and a second column section; installing the lower stage to a bottom head such that the lower stage is in fluid communication with an inner volume of the bottom head; installing the first column section over and around the lower stage and fitting and welding a bottom of the first column section to the bottom head; installing the upper stage; and installing the second column section and fitting and welding a bottom of the second course to the first course.

Abstract: A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (“ASU”) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

Abstract: A method for condensing argon can include two flow streams interacting with each other in a heat exchanger found within a cold box: a stream of gaseous argon enters the heat exchanger to be cooled down below its liquefaction point by a stream of pressurized liquid nitrogen entering the heat exchanger. While passing through the heat exchanger, gaseous argon is gradually cooled down until it is condensed into liquid, flowing by gravity to the nearby liquid argon storage tank.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a distillation column in a remote location away from a permanent manufacturing facility is provided. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: forming a plurality of column sections each having a diameter D, each column section comprising a plurality of courses that have been horizontally welded together, wherein each course is comprised of two or more partial shells that have been vertically welded together, wherein each of the two or more partial shells was created by vertically rolling a rectangular plate having a length of at least ( 1 N ? ? · D ) , wherein N is the number of partial shells used to form the course; installing a distributor and packing in each column section to form a plurality of packed column sections; and stacking the plurality of packed column sections to form a column.

Abstract: A method of erecting a cold box that includes the steps of anchoring at least one column to a foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; anchoring a pipe rack module to the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the pipe rack module is in close proximity to the at least one column; attaching interconnecting piping between the pipe rack module and the at least one column; anchoring at least four corner beams to the edge of the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; attaching prefabricated panels with bracing to the corner beams, to form an enclosure around the column and piping; and attaching a roof to the enclose is provided.

Abstract: A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (“ASU”) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.

Abstract: A method of installing a vaporizer in a remote manufacturing yard is provided. The method can include the steps of obtaining a lower stage and an upper stage of a vaporizer; obtaining a first column section and a second column section; installing the lower stage to a bottom head such that the lower stage is in fluid communication with an inner volume of the bottom head; installing the first column section over and around the lower stage and fitting and welding a bottom of the first column section to the bottom head; installing the upper stage; and installing the second column section and fitting and welding a bottom of the second course to the first course.