Abstract: A reboiler/condenser bath heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first fluid to be vaporized and a second fluid to be condensed includes a number of passages for heat exchange between the two fluids in order to make the second fluid flow, which fluid has a temperature of T2-2 at the outlet of the passages; a vessel containing the passages for making the first fluid flow between the passages by thermosiphon effect from the bottom upwards over a height h, the first fluid having an entry temperature T1-1 where T1-1<T2-2 and an exit pressure P1-2; elements for giving the entry pressure P1-1 of the first fluid a value such that the pressure P1-2 is greater than a minimum pressure Pm,ex and elements for ensuring that at least one of the following two conditions is fulfilled: the height h of the passages is at least equal to 2.5 m; and the temperature T2-2 of the second fluid is less than T1-1+1.2° C.

Abstract: A reboiler/condenser bath heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first fluid to be vaporized and a second fluid to be condensed includes a number of passages for heat exchange between the two fluids in order to make the second fluid flow, which fluid has a temperature of T2-2 at the outlet of the passages; a vessel containing the passages for making the first fluid flow between the passages by thermosiphon effect from the bottom upwards over a height h, the first fluid having an entry temperature T1-1 where T1-1<T2-2 and an exit pressure P1-2; elements for giving the entry pressure P1-1 of the first fluid a value such that the pressure P1-2 is greater than a minimum pressure Pm, ex and elements for ensuring that at least one of the following two conditions is fulfilled:

Abstract: In a plant for separating air which does not comprise an argon column, an intermediate-pressure column (102) has a bottom reboiler (24) which is heated by a gas (233) coming from the low-pressure column (103). The intermediate-pressure column is fed from the high-pressure column (101). This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption while improving the efficiency of the process.

Abstract: A plant for the separation of air includes at least three columns, including an auxiliary column and two other columns, of which at least one is fed with air and of which that operating at the lowest pressure operates between 2 and 10 bar. A flow between 40 and 95 mol % of argon originating from the auxiliary column is optionally mixed with a gas enriched in nitrogen from the column operating at the lowest pressure. The auxiliary column operates at the same pressure as the column from which it is fed.

Abstract: In a plant for separating air which does not comprise an argon column, an intermediate-pressure column (102) has a bottom reboiler (24) which is heated by a gas (233) coming from the low-pressure column (103). The intermediate-pressure column is fed from the high-pressure column (101). This makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption while improving the efficiency of the process.

Abstract: An exchanger comprises a plurality of plates (8) made of copper, nickel or aluminium or an alloy of these metals, which are separated by exchange corrugations made of copper or a copper alloy (6) and two outer sheets (7). The distance between the plates is more than 6 mm, optionally 8 mm.

Abstract: A plant for the separation of air comprises at least three columns, including an auxiliary column (25) and two other columns (9, 11, 40), of which at least one is fed with air and of which that operating at the lowest pressure operates between 2 and 10 bar. A flow comprising between 40 and 95 mol % of argon originating from the auxiliary column is optionally mixed with a gas enriched in nitrogen from the column operating at the lowest pressure. The auxiliary column operates at the same pressure as the column from which it is fed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reboiler/condenser heat exchanger of the bath type for heat exchange between a first fluid (F1) to be vaporized and a second fluid (F2) to be condensed.