Abstract: An industrial unit (1) comprises internal parts (3, 4, 5) placed in a chamber (2, 8, 9) closed at least temporarily by a protective end (8, 9), the internal parts being connected to the atmosphere outside the chamber essentially via at least one line (6) allowing the passage of air from the exterior to the internal parts and from the internal parts to the exterior, the line containing at least one device (11) for trapping at least one undesirable atmospheric component.

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: 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: In an air separation apparatus comprising at least two columns (104, 105) and optionally a mixing column (107), a liquid containing between 22 and 70 mol % oxygen is vaporized in a reboiler/condenser (109) against a stream of air (86) which condenses therein at least partially. The stream of at least partially condensed air is sent to at least one column (104, 105, 107) of the column system.

Abstract: A method for air distillation with production of argon using an air distilling installation (1) comprising an air distilling apparatus (2) in particular with double column, and at least one column for producing impure argon. The installation has dimensions for supplying argon with a nominal yield &rgr;n of argon extraction at the impure argon producing column output. For reduced argon production requirements corresponding to a required yield &rgr; of argon extraction at the impure argon producing column output, with &rgr;≦&rgr;o≦&rgr;n where &rgr;o is a predetermined optimal yield, the argon extraction yield in the impure argon producing column is maintained at the value &rgr;o.

Abstract: Impure oxygen containing 70 to 98% oxygen and less than 2% argon is supplied to a synthesis-gas production unit (3a) which supplies hydrogen to an ammonia-production unit (7a). The same air-separation device (1a) can supply the nitrogen (9) to the ammonia-production unit and impure oxygen (2a) to the synthesis-gas production unit.

Abstract: In order to allow more flexible operation of a column for separating air by cryogenic distillation, a first air stream (6) exchanges heat with a liquid (16) which vaporizes, while a second air stream (7, 7A) is drawn off from an intermediate level in the exchange line and sent to a column in order to be distilled therein.

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.