Abstract: A method and system for producing nitrogen and/or oxygen by air separation. The system includes at least one high pressure column, at least one low pressure column, and a reboiler-condenser. The method includes generating a high pressure nitrogen stream from the high pressure column and using energy from the high pressure nitrogen stream to provide nitrogen reflux to the high pressure column.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus used to perform the process for batch distillation of a multi-component mixture containing three or more components is provided. The process and apparatus uses at least three distillation zones. For a time period during distillation operation, the component of intermediate volatility is collected along with the collection of either the volatile component and/or the heavy component.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen (“GOX”) in which compressed and purified feed air (1) is cooled and at least partially condensed in heat exchange means (E1) having a warm end and a cold end and the cooled and at least partially condensed feed air (2) is then distilled in a cryogenic distillation column system (C1, C2). A liquid oxygen (“LOX”) product stream (8) is removed from the column system (C1, C2) and vaporized and warmed by heat exchange (E1) to produce GOX. LOX refrigerant (10) from an external source is used to provide a portion of the refrigeration duty required for the cooling and at least partial condensation of the feed air stream (1).

Abstract: A process for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon fuel and steam and/or oxygen gas wherein at least part of any steam requirement is provided by heat exchange against exhaust gas from a gas turbine driving an air separation unit supplying at least part of any oxygen requirement for the synthesis gas production. The process is particularly applicable when the synthesis gas is used to prepare a synfuel by methanol synthesis or a Fischer-Tropsch process.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a housing, a piston slideably mounted within the housing for a reciprocating movement, a shaft connected to the piston and adapted for reciprocating movement concurrently with the piston, an inlet valve, a discharge valve, and an interstage valve means. A first chamber on one side of the piston is in fluid communication with an inlet and a second chamber on the opposite side of the piston is in fluid communication with a discharge, and the first and second chambers are in fluid communication. At least part of the shaft is in the second chamber. The interstage valve means, which controls the fluid flowing from the first chamber to the second chamber, is closed during a suction stroke and is open during a compression stroke.

Abstract: A layer of mixed-resistance structured packing includes: a first structured packing having a first packing resistance; and a second structured packing generally horizontally adjacent the first structured packing, the second structured packing having a second packing resistance different than the first packing resistance. The layer of mixed-resistance structured packing is used in exchange columns for exchanging heat and/or mass between a first phase and a second phase in processes such as cryogenic air separation. Use of the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing reduces HETP (height equivalent to a theoretical plate) in the exchange columns and processes. A method also is provided for assembling the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing in an exchange column.

Abstract: A process for producing a nitrogen-enriched vapor product from a supply of a nitrogen-rich liquid uses a purifying device and a distillation column having a distillation zone. The process includes the steps of: feeding at least a portion of the supply of the nitrogen-rich liquid to the distillation zone at a first location; feeding a stream of a gas containing nitrogen and at least one contaminant to the purifying device, wherein the gas is cooled by a cryogenic liquid whereby at least a portion of the at least one contaminant condenses, solidifies, or dissolves; eventually feeding at least a portion of the cool gas from the purifying device to the distillation zone at a second location below the first location; withdrawing a stream of the nitrogen-enriched vapor product from the distillation zone; and withdrawing a stream of an oxygen-enriched liquid from the distillation zone.

Abstract: A cryocooler system comprising a heat exchanger for cooling a compressed returning warmed cryogenic fluid stream, the heat exchanger having a bypass loop to produce a major stream and a minor stream exiting the heat exchanger. The minor stream is further cooled by expansion and used as a heat exchange medium for an external heat load after which it is compressed and returned to the heat exchanger for heat exchange with the compressed return warmed cryogenic fluid stream. The major stream is further cooled by expansion and recirculated to the heat exchanger to cool the compressed returning warmed cryogenic fluid stream. The major stream and minor stream are combined either inside or outside of said heat exchanger to form the warmed cryogenic fluid inlet stream for compression.

Abstract: A process of liquefying gas to produce a liquid cryogen comprising compressing a gas stream using a compressor, work expanding the compressed gas stream using at least one expansion turbine to produce an expanded gas stream together with power, mechanically transferring the power generated by the expansion turbine(s) to drive the compressor, using the expanded gas stream to provide refrigeration duty for liquefaction, and recycling the cooled expanded compressed gas stream to the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fluid from a vessel includes a pump, a first conduit, and a control means in fluid communication with the pump and having open and closed positions. The first end of the conduit is in fluid communication with the vessel and a second end of the conduit is in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump. The control means alternates between the open and the closed positions, whereby a stream of fluid flows into the pump inlet from the conduit when the control means first alternates to the open position, the control means alternates to the closed position and the fluid vaporizes in the pump thereby forming a vaporized portion of the fluid, and a stream of the vaporized portion of the fluid flows out of a pump outlet when the control means alternates again to the open position.

Abstract: A layer of mixed-resistance structured packing includes: a first structured packing having a first packing resistance; and a second structured packing generally horizontally adjacent the first structured packing, the second structured packing having a second packing resistance different than the first packing resistance. The layer of mixed-resistance structured packing is used in exchange columns for exchanging heat and/or mass between a first phase and a second phase in processes such as cryogenic air separation. Use of the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing reduces HETP (height equivalent to a theoretical plate) in the exchange columns and processes. A method also is provided for assembling the layer of mixed-resistance structured packing in an exchange column.

Abstract: A process for the cryogenic distillation of air uses a distillation column system having a supplemental column and a distillation unit including a lower-pressure column and a higher-pressure column. A liquid stream enriched in oxygen is withdrawn from the lower-pressure column and is eventually vaporized through indirect latent heat transfer, thereby producing a reflux stream, a portion of which is eventually sent to the lower-pressure column, the higher-pressure column, and/or the supplemental column. At least a portion of the reflux for the supplemental column is eventually derived from the distillation unit. A nitrogen-enriched liquid removed from the distillation unit is increased in pressure and is fed to the supplemental column or back to the distillation unit. An oxygen-enriched fluid from the bottom of the supplemental column is fed to the distillation unit. At least some of the nitrogen product from the supplemental column is returned to the distillation unit.

Abstract: A combined main air/O2 enriched product compressor for use with an air separation unit that produces O2 enriched product is provided that includes a prime mover that drives a bull gear. The bull gear drives at least two pinion gears, and the pinion gears drive several compression stages where at least one compression stage compresses feed air for the air separation unit and at least one compressor stage compresses O2 enriched product from the air separation unit. The combined main air/O2 enriched product compressor satisfies all air separation unit feed air requirements and at least some compression for the oxygen product from the air separation unit. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A containment enclosure (1) for a cryogenic unit (2) has a chamber (7) in which the cryogenic unit (2) is located. A chamber wall (4, 5, 6) includes thermally insulating bricks (10, 11) for thermally insulating the cryogenic unit (2) in the chamber (7). The chamber wall (4, 5, 6) is impermeable to liquid leaking from the cryogenic unit (2). A sump (30) is provided for receiving any liquid leaking from the cryogenic unit (2). Withdrawing means (31) are provided for withdrawing liquid from the sump (30) through an open uppermost end of the sump (30).

Abstract: A structured packing having a surface area density in the range of about 500 m2/m3 to about 675 m2/m3 includes a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in vertically parallel relation. Each plate has at least one aperture and a plurality of regularly spaced and substantially parallel corrugations disposed in crisscrossing relation to the corrugations of an adjacent plate. The apertures have an equivalent diameter of less than about 4 millimeters but greater than about 2 millimeters. The corrugations have a corrugation angle (∝) relative to horizontal in the range of about 40° to about 60°. Each corrugation, when approximated to be substantially a triangular cross-section, has an included angle (&bgr;) defined by two sides of the corrugation in the range of about 90° to about 100°. The structured packing is used in exchange columns for exchanging heat and/or mass between a first phase and a second phase in processes such as cryogenic air separation.

Abstract: Coolant gas recovery and reuse from a heat exchanger is automatically interrupted when the oxygen content of the used gas exceeds a predetermined maximum concentration and is recommenced when the oxygen content falls below a predetermined minimum concentration. The mass flow of coolant gas introduced into the passageway is controlled independently of its composition and, during normal operation, the mass flow ratio of coolant gas withdrawn for recovery to coolant gas introduced into the heat exchanger is maintained constant. This ratio can be ramped up to the constant level in a predetermined manner on start up of fiber cooling and following recovery interruption. The invention provides both methods and apparatus and has particular application to Optical Fiber manufacture.

Abstract: A method for controlling NOx in a multi-zone re-heating furnace used for meeting process heating (or re-heating) requirements in the metals industry. Oxidant-fuel stoichiometry is altered in different zones of a multi-zone re-heating furnace to reduce the overall NOx emission without replacing existing burners or intrusively modifying the furnace (or drilling holes in the furnace) for fuel and/or an oxidant injection. The oxidant-fuel stoichiometry in at least one zone of a multi-zone re-heating furnace is made either oxidant neutral or oxidant deficient (or fuel rich) to reduce the formation of NOx and the oxidant-fuel stoichiometry of at least one other zone that is located downstream of the oxidant neutral or oxidant deficient zone is made oxidant rich (or fuel lean) to further reduce the formation of NOx in the furnace.

Abstract: An improved process for producing an atmosphere suitable for carburizing steel components by adding a small amount of oxygen to a mixture of natural gas and carbon dioxide, pre-heating the mixture to the desired reaction temperature in the presence of an inert material or a non-nickel-based catalyst that promotes the reaction between oxygen and natural gas without forming coke to avoid catalyst deactivation by coke formation, and reacting natural gas with carbon dioxide at high temperature in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: An efficient and easier to operate distillation process separates mixtures containing three of more components into streams enriched in one of the components. The invention converts a two-way communication between two distillation columns of a prior art thermally coupled distillation system into a one-way communication. Either a distillation section is added to one of the two distillation columns or a new distillation column is added, and only a liquid stream is transferred from one distillation column to another distillation column thereby eliminating the implementation of the return vapor stream between the same locations of the two columns. More than one distillation column produces product streams of at least one of the most volatile or the least volatile major constituent components.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a cylinder with a closed interior compartment. A piston assembly has a dispensing end and an opposed end and is moveably mounted within the compartment for reciprocating movement in opposed linear directions between opposed ends of the closed interior compartment. A linear magnetic drive generates a linearly moving magnetic field for moving the piston assembly in opposed linear directions through a swept volume in each of said opposed linear directions, one of said linear directions being a dispensing stroke and the other of said linear directions being a suction stroke. A sealing member is provided between the cylinder and the piston assembly to divide the interior compartment of the cylinder into a dispensing chamber and a reservoir chamber.