Abstract: This disclosure discusses the problems associated with the design, layout, and construction of units and equipment in air separation units. The invention of this disclosure provides a process and apparatus using multiple discrete subcoolers. The nitrogen stream exiting the cryogenic distillation columns cools streams in the subcoolers. By having at least two subcoolers, the size of the nitrogen vent (nitrogen waste or product stream) can be reduced. This saves fabrication costs and improves reliability by reducing thermal stresses in the piping and equipment. Subcoolers cool rich liquid, lean liquid, liquid oxygen, and/or liquid air streams coming from the main heat exchanger or a system of separation columns. The disclosure also discusses integration of the subcoolers with the main heat exchangers.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide containing fluid comprises the steps of: compressing the fluid in a compressor to form a compressed fluid, drying at least part of the compressed fluid to form a compressed and dried fluid, cooling at least part of the compressed and dried fluid to form a compressed, dried and cooled fluid, separating the compressed, dried and cooled fluid at a temperature lower than 0° C. into a carbon dioxide rich stream, a carbon dioxide lean stream and at least one intermediate purity liquid stream having a carbon dioxide purity lower than that of the carbon dioxide rich stream and higher than that of the carbon dioxide lean stream, expanding at least one intermediate purity liquid stream to produce at least one expanded stream using at least one expanded stream to cool the compressed and dried fluid and recycling at least part of the expanded stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a gas production system to efficiently maintain a pressure of a gaseous output stream within a tight pressure range when the system changes normal operation to backup operation. In one preferred embodiment, during normal operation a backup vaporizer is kept in cold standby by directing a small portion of a liquefied gas stream away from the main heat exchanger to the backup vaporizer. In this way, the backup vaporizer is able to respond immediately to a shutdown of the main gas production system. During normal operation, the output of the backup vaporizer is recombined with the gaseous output stream to any avoid loss of product thereby increasing efficiency.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing make-up water for a chilled water system. A first water tower for cooling water is provided. Condensate water from a condensate water source is extracted. Make-up water for the first water tower is provided using the condensate water. The apparatus comprises a first water tower for generating cooling water; an air compressor to produce compressed air; a condensate water source to extract condensate water from the compressed air; and a water flow control system for providing water from the condensate water source to the first water tower.

Abstract: A blast fragment and oxygen fire safety barrier comprising a corrugated impact panel connected to and spanning a pair of columns designed by directly impacting the barrier with a fragment of specified weight at a specified velocity to obtain test values for use in determining whether the barrier is capable of absorbing impact kinetic energy (KE) without exceeding predetermined maximum allowable ductability and maximum allowable deflection to span ratios, and dissipating strain energy at such maximum allowable deflection, and whether connectors have sufficient shear strength considering the lesser of maximum dynamic shear capacity of said column and a maximum dynamic shear force based on measured peak reaction during direct fragment impact on the column, includes an oxygen fire resistant panel on the non-blast side of the impact panel spaced from said impact panel a distance in excess of the maximum allowable deflection of said impact panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for the power efficient production of high-pressure gaseous oxygen product. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid oxygen stream is pumped to a low to medium pressure and warmed within a first heat exchanger such as a brazed aluminum plate fin heat exchanger. The liquid oxygen stream is then pumped to a further pressure and then vaporized in a second heat exchanger to produce a high-pressure gaseous oxygen stream. In an embodiment, a high-pressure air stream may be utilized in the second heat exchanger for vaporizing the oxygen stream and cooling the air stream. The air stream may be utilized as a feed for the cryogenic air unit. A portion of the air stream at a medium pressure may be utilized in the first heat exchanger. A portion of the air stream may also be expanded to recover energy.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes and apparatuses for the integration of a blast furnace and an air separation plant to increase blast furnace production. The present invention recovers energy from the air separation through the expansion of a product stream.

Abstract: A gas stream containing at least about 90% (vol.) hydrogen and at least one halogen-containing compound is contacted with a nickel hydrogenation catalyst. When the gas stream contacts the hydrogenation catalyst substantially all halogen-containing compounds are dehalogenated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air separation plant integrated with another process. Work is recovered from a nitrogen enriched stream produced by an air separation process either by expanding the nitrogen enriched stream directly or by combustion of the nitrogen enriched stream with a fuel stream and expanding gas produced by the combustion.

Abstract: Air is separated in a triple column comprising a high pressure column, an intermediate pressure column and a low pressure column, the intermediate pressure column being fed by oxygen enriched liquid from the high pressure column. The low pressure column feeds an argon column with argon enriched liquid and operates at a higher pressure than the argon column. Heat is supplied to the bottom of the argon column by sending gas to a bottom reboiler. This gas is preferably rich in nitrogen and may come from the top of the low pressure column.

Abstract: Air is separated in a triple column system comprising a high pressure column, an intermediate pressure column and a low pressure column. An argon enriched liquid from the low pressure column feeds an argon column. Oxygen enriched fluids containing at least 95% oxygen are removed from the argon column and optionally from the low pressure column.

Abstract: Air is separated by cryogenic distillation comprising the steps of feeding compressed, cooled and purified air to a high pressure column where it is separated into a first nitrogen enriched stream at the top and a first oxygen enriched stream at the bottom. At least a portion of the first oxygen enriched stream is fed to an intermediate pressure column to yield a second nitrogen enriched stream at the top and a second oxygen enriched stream at the bottom. At least a portion of the second nitrogen enriched stream is sent to a low pressure column or to a top condenser of an argon column, and at least a portion of the second oxygen enriched stream is sent to the low pressure column. A third oxygen enriched stream is separated at the bottom and a third nitrogen enriched stream is separated at the top of the low pressure column. A heating gas is sent to a bottom reboiler of the low pressure column, and at least a portion of the third oxygen enriched stream is removed at a removal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and installations for the production of oxygen and nitrogen by cryogenic distillation. The cost of oxygen and nitrogen production is reduced by providing an improved high pressure process.

Abstract: A single or double dephlegmator is used to transfer heat between condensing nitrogen and rich liquid in a single column nitrogen generator.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method and system for separating and purifying perfluorocompounds (PFCs). The method comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a perfluorocompound-containing gas stream into a first distillation column; (b) removing a light product from the first column, and removing a heavy product from the first column; (c) introducing the first column light product into a second distillation column; (d) removing a light product from the second column, and removing a heavy product from the second column; (e) introducing the second column light product into a third distillation column; and (f) removing a light product from the third column, and removing a heavy product from the third column. The method and system can be advantageously used in the treatment of exhaust gases from semiconductor processing tools, and results in highly purified PFCs which can be recycled, thereby avoiding the release of PFCs into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for highly efficient generation of nitrogen product in a single column arrangement. Oxygen-enriched liquid from a distillation column is partially vaporized to form a liquid and a vapor phase. The liquid is vaporized in a second reboiler/condenser and thereafter the vapor expanded to provide process refrigeration. The vapor portion having higher nitrogen content is compressed and returned to the distillation column for higher overall nitrogen recovery.

Abstract: A process and system for producing an argon-enriched stream comprising a multiple column air separation system, a first crude argon column, and a second crude argon column is provided. The improved process involves removing a vapor stream from the upper portion of the first argon column; reducing the pressure of the vapor in a pressure reducing device; and then flowing the reduced pressure vapor to a second argon column which operates at a lower operating pressure relative to the first argon column.