Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating energy, which consists in conveying to an air separation apparatus (5) air from a compressor (1) coupled to an expansion machine (3). A nitrogen-enriched gaseous flow (11) containing between 3 and 18% of oxygen is conveyed to a combustion chamber (19) with a combustible flow (17) and the combustion gases (33) are expanded in the expansion machine. Optionally air from an auxiliary compressor (21) can be conveyed to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The feed gas contains essentially hydrocarbons, particularly methane, and impurities including helium. The process includes the conversion of the hydrocarbons into hydrogen and CO2, and the purification by adsorption of the hydrogen contained in the resulting gaseous mixture. Prior to the conversion of the hydrocarbons, the feed gas is processed in a unit for separation by permeation producing a retentate gas impoverished in helium, containing essentially hydrocarbons, and a permeate gas enriched in helium, the retentate gas being then treated by the conversion of the hydrocarbons, particularly of the methane.

Abstract: The pressurized waste nitrogen (11) from a column of an air separation unit (10) is sent, optionally after being compressed, to a combustion chamber (15) where it is heated, to a turbine (17) in which it is expanded and again to the combustion chamber (15) where it is mixed with the flue gases in order to give up waste heat thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for generating energy, which consists in conveying to an air separation apparatus (5) air from a compressor (1) coupled to an expansion machine (3). A nitrogen-enriched gaseous flow (11) containing between 3 and 18% of oxygen is conveyed to a combustion chamber (19) with a combustible flow (17) and the combustion gases (33) are expanded in the expansion machine. Optionally air from an auxiliary compressor (21) can be conveyed to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vaporizer-condensor (4) of the bath type, comprising at least one heat exchange body (13), having a multitude of flat passages (18) for the countercurrent circulation of two fluids in a same direction, and a sealed chamber (14) for confining a fluid containing the or each heat exchange body, the confinement chamber comprising a central section (50) of generally cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis (Y—Y). The longitudinal axis of the central section of said or each confinement chamber is orthogonal to the direction of countercurrent circulation of the fluids in the flat passages of the corresponding heat exchange body. Use in double column air distillation installations.

Abstract: A plant (1) includes, an air distillation apparatus (4) having at least one outlet (25) for a nitrogen-rich fluid and an outlet (32) for a product to be delivered in the liquid state and a gas turbine unit (3) having a combustion chamber (17) and an electricity-generating turbine (18), the intake of which is connected to an outlet of the combustion chamber. An expander (13) for expanding a nitrogen-rich fluid in order to generate refrigerating power allowing the liquid product to be delivered, the air distillation apparatus being connected in parallel to the expander (13) and to the intake of an electricity-delivering turbine in order to feed them with at least one nitrogen-rich fluid. Control elements (41,42) are provided for controlling the flow rates of the nitrogen-rich fluid streams sent to the expander (13) and to the electricity-generating turbine (18), respectively, and determination elements (40) for determining the electrical power to be generated by the electricity-generating turbine (18).

Abstract: In such an exchanger, in which the blocks have fluid inlet openings in communication with the interior space of a supply box which runs alongside the block and communicates with at least one analogous box of an adjacent block to form a fluid supply line, in order to even out the distribution of fluid between the openings of the blocks, the supply line contains at least one grating (30) leaving perforations (301) and solid parts (302) which are distributed in such a way as to create pressure drops which are such that the flow velocities of the fluid in the inlet openings downstream of the grating have similar values.

Abstract: A plant (1) includes, an air distillation apparatus (4) having at least one outlet (25) for a nitrogen-rich fluid and an outlet (32) for a product to be delivered in the liquid state and a gas turbine unit (3) having a combustion chamber (17) and an electricity-generating turbine (18), the intake of which is connected to an outlet of the combustion chamber. An expander (13) for expanding a nitrogen-rich fluid in order to generate refrigerating power allowing the liquid product to be delivered, the air distillation apparatus being connected in parallel to the expander (13) and to the intake of an electricity-delivering turbine in order to feed them with at least one nitrogen-rich fluid. Control elements (41, 42) are provided for controlling the flow rates of the nitrogen-rich fluid streams sent to the expander (13) and to the electricity-generating turbine (18), respectively, and determination elements (40) for determining the electrical power to be generated by the electricity-generating turbine (18).

Abstract: A distillation apparatus comprises a reboiler/condenser (30), cleanable in operation, being duplicated by another reboiler/condenser (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for the cryogenic separation of a mixture containing at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane comprises two phase separators (A, H), two heat exchangers (D, K) and two stripping columns (B, I). The mixture cooled in the first exchanger is sent into a phase separator and at least some of the condensed fraction is sent into the first stripping column (B). At least some of the head gas from the stripping column is sent into the second phase separator (H) and the liquid produced is sent into the head of the second stripping column (I). The base liquid from the first stripping column may be sent into a purification column (C).

Abstract: A process for the generation of energy and of a hydrogen-rich mixture (30), includes the following steps:a) a partial oxidation of an incoming hydrocarbon gas mixture (15) is carried out using an oxidant mixture (16) which contains oxygen, so as to obtain as output from the unit a reaction gas (17) which contains hydrogen and CO;b) the reaction gas produced at the end of step a) is passed into a membrane separator (24) which generates, as its permeate output, a permeate gas mixture (25) enriched in the more permeable components of the reaction gas and, as its retentate output, a retentate gas mixture (26) enriched in the less permeable components of the reaction gas;c) the retentate gas mixture (26) is treated in an electricity generation unit (27);d) the permeate gas mixture (25) is separated in a preferential adsorption separator (29) so as to obtain, as unadsorbed product gas, the desired hydrogen-rich gas mixture (30).

Abstract: A process for the generation of energy and of a hydrogen-rich mixture (30), includes the following steps:a) a partial oxidation of an incoming hydrocarbon gas mixture (15) is carried out using an oxidant mixture (16) which contains oxygen, so as to obtain as output from the unit a reaction gas (17) which contains hydrogen and CO;b) the reaction gas produced at the end of step a) is passed into a membrane separator (24) which generates, as its permeate output, a permeate gas mixture (25) enriched in the more permeable components of the reaction gas and, as its retentate output, a retentate gas mixture (26) enriched in the less permeable components of the reaction gas;c) the retentate gas mixture (26) is treated in an electricity generation unit (27);d) the permeate gas mixture (25) is separated in a preferential adsorption separator (29) so as to obtain, as unadsorbed product gas, the desired hydrogen-rich gas mixture (30).

Abstract: A process for restarting an adsorption receptacle which is part of an installation for the purification of hydrogen by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), which receptacle, during a hiatus in its operation, has been depressurized and then rendered inert with nitrogen. The receptacle is repressurized with practically pure hydrogen, and then the adsorption cycle is restarted in this receptacle. The repressurization is effected counter-current with respect to the adsorption direction in the receptacle. The receptacle is repressurized with hydrogen produced by the installation before the hiatus. The process can be used for the treatment of a catalytic hydrocarbon reforming gas, in which case the receptacle contains successively, in the adsorption direction, a layer of alumina, a layer of carbon and a layer of molecular sieve.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the combined production of ammonia synthesis gas and pure hydrogen. There is withdrawn (at 21) a flow of synthesis gas which is first treated in a permeation unit (24) with the return (at 28) of the non-permeated gas, while the permeate (32)is treated by adsorption (34) (35) (36), which permits producing (in 57) very pure hydrogen. The process has a high energy efficiency.