Abstract: A method for separating air by cryogenic distillation is provided, in which, at least one portion of the first oxygen-enriched liquid is sent from a first column to a first vaporizer-condenser where it is partially vaporized in the form of a film at a pressure higher than the second pressure forming a second oxygen-enriched liquid constituting at least 30% of the oxygen-enriched liquid sent to the first vaporizer-condenser and a third oxygen-enriched gas, an argon-enriched fluid is sent from a second column to a third column and the fluid is separated in the column forming an argon-rich flow at the top of the column and an oxygen-rich flow at the bottom of the column and the third oxygen-enriched gas is expanded in a turbine with production of work.

Abstract: In a method for regulating a device for separating air by cryogenic distillation, during the change from a low-flow mode to a high-flow mode, two flow rates of reflux sent to the low-pressure column of a double column are increased more rapidly than the flow rate of gaseous air sent to the medium-pressure column of the double column in order to ensure the stability of the oxygen content in the argon bulge of the low-pressure column during the mode change.

Abstract: In a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using a column system consisting of a higher pressure column operating at a first pressure and a lower pressure column operating at a second pressure, a first air flow constituting between 75% and 98% of the air sent to the column system compressed to a third pressure above the first pressure, is sent to the higher pressure column, a second air flow constituting between 5% and 25% of the air sent to the column system is compressed to a fourth pressure above the second pressure but lower than the third pressure, is sent to the lower pressure column, a third column separates an argon-enriched flow and the air sent to the lower pressure column constitutes between 10% and 25% of the total air sent to the column system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon mixture, in which the residual gas of a PSA H2 (12) is separated by permeation in order to reduce the hydrocarbon content thereof and the hydrocarbon-purified gas is separated at a low temperature to produce a carbon dioxide-rich liquid (22).

Abstract: A direct heat exchange and material transfer apparatus having a plurality of columns, a single stack of at least two solid metal plates of rectangular section, the plates being substantially all of the same shape and dimensions and parallel to a determined direction, each plate being separated from the adjacent plate, at least in a first direct heat exchange and material transfer zone of the apparatus, by a group of hollow metal columns that are aligned and have a section which is polygonal and has at least two parallel surfaces, the channels being parallel to the determined direction and contiguous with one another, the columns of each group each being in contact with the two metal plates on either side of the group, at least some of the columns of a group containing a material and heat exchange means.

Abstract: A matrix, configured to form at least part of a material-transfer separation unit, the matrix having a stack of several plates arranged parallel to one another in a direction known as the direction of stacking, thereby defining passages, the matrix having a length, a width and a thickness, the length of a matrix being the greatest dimension of the parallel plates, the width of the matrix being measured perpendicular to the length, and the thickness of the matrix being measured in the direction of stacking of the plates.

Abstract: In a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using a column system consisting of a higher pressure column operating at a first pressure and a lower pressure column operating at a second pressure, a first air flow constituting between 75% and 98% of the air sent to the column system compressed to a third pressure above the first pressure, is sent to the higher pressure column, a second air flow constituting between 5% and 25% of the air sent to the column system is compressed to a fourth pressure above the second pressure but lower than the third pressure, is sent to the lower pressure column, a third column separates an argon-enriched flow and the air sent to the lower pressure column constitutes between 10% and 25% of the total air sent to the column system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon mixture, in which the residual gas of a PSA H2 (12) is separated by permeation in order to reduce the hydrocarbon content thereof and the hydrocarbon-purified gas is separated at a low temperature to produce a carbon dioxide-rich liquid (22).

Abstract: A cryogenic installation unit comprises at least one item of equipment to be thermally insulated, a structure for containing the at least one item of equipment, a main insulation contained in the structure and, associated with this main insulation, a secondary insulation of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, said secondary insulation consisting of a vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: A method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a system of columns comprising a first column and a second column operating at a lower pressure than the first column, comprising the steps of compressing all of the feed air in a first compressor to a first output pressure of at least 1 bar greater than the pressure of the first column, sending a first portion of the air under the first output pressure to the second compressor, and compressing the air to a second output pressure, cooling and condensing at least a portion of the air under the second output pressure in a heat exchanger, withdrawal of a liquid from a column of the system of columns, pressurising the liquid and evaporating the liquid by heat exchange in the heat exchanger, and pressure reduction of a portion of the compressed air to a second output pressure, at least partially evaporating said air in the heat exchanger, optionally additional heating of said air in the heat exchanger, and sending at least a portion of this air to the second

Abstract: A process for compressing a gaseous fluid comprising a step (a) of injecting refrigerant during which a refrigerant substance is sprayed into the gaseous fluid to be compressed, and also a compression step (b), during which the passage of said gaseous fluid loaded with refrigerant substance is forced through said compressor in order to compress said gaseous fluid, the mass flow rate (Q3) of the refrigerant substance injected into the gaseous fluid represents between 1% and 5% of the mass flow rate of the gaseous fluid to be compressed, and the refrigerant substance is sprayed in the form of particles having a maximum dimension of less than or equal to 25 pm, and preferably less than or equal to 10 pm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly having two exchangers, each comprising a stack of parallel plates defining a first connection surface and a second connection surface that are adjacent to each other. The heat exchanger assembly can also include an enclosure between the first connection surface and the second connection surface, primary compartments in the enclosure configured to channel primary fluid through the first connection surface and the second connection surface, and a secondary compartment in the enclosure for channeling secondary fluid.

Abstract: A cryogenic installation unit comprises at least one item of equipment to be thermally insulated, a structure for containing the at least one item of equipment, a main insulation contained in the structure and, associated with this main insulation, a secondary insulation of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, said secondary insulation consisting of a vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: A cryogenic installation unit comprises at least one item of equipment to be thermally insulated, a structure for containing the at least one item of equipment, a main insulation contained in the structure and, associated with this main insulation, a secondary insulation of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, said secondary insulation consisting of a vacuum insulation panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unit and method for melting in a furnace comprising a combustion-heated melting chamber, in which the air is heated by means of heat exchange with the fumes generated by combustion. The heated air is used in a gas turbine in order to generate electrical and/or mechanical energy. In addition, the effluent from the gas turbine is used to pre-heat the combustion oxygen and/or gaseous fuel upstream of the melting chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a melting unit and method in which: a melting chamber is heated by means of combustion, the combustion fumes are used to heat the air used as a heat-transfer gas, the heated air is used to pre-heat the combustion oxygen and/or the gaseous fuel, the tempered air resulting from the pre-heating is compressed, the compressed tempered air is heated by means of heat exchange with the combustion fumes, and the mechanical and/or electrical energy is generated by expansion of the heated compressed air.

Abstract: A process for compressing a gaseous fluid comprising a step (a) of injecting refrigerant during which a refrigerant substance is sprayed into the gaseous fluid to be compressed, and also a compression step (b), during which the passage of said gaseous fluid loaded with refrigerant substance is forced through said compressor in order to compress said gaseous fluid, the mass flow rate (Q3) of the refrigerant substance injected into the gaseous fluid represents between 1% and 5% of the mass flow rate of the gaseous fluid to be compressed, and the refrigerant substance is sprayed in the form of particles having a maximum dimension of less than or equal to 25 ?m, and preferably less than or equal to 10 ?m.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing air and producing a carbon dioxide-rich fluid includes an air compressor, an element for bringing the air bound for the air compressor into contact with water to produce humidified air and cooled water, a pipe for sending the humidified compressed air from the air compressor to an installation producing a carbon dioxide-rich gas, a carbon dioxide-rich gas compressor for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich gas, at least one heat exchanger upstream and/or downstream the carbon dioxide-rich gas compressor and pipes for conveying into the heat exchanger water cooled in the contact element and the carbon dioxide-rich gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of obtaining carbon dioxide from a CO2-containing gas mixture. The methods combine the benefits of gas membrane separation with cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: In a method for separating a gaseous mixture by separation at sub-ambient temperature, a gaseous mixture at a first pressure is cooled, then separated in a separation unit, a liquid is withdrawn from the separation unit and vaporized to form a pressurized gaseous product, and at least part of the heat of vaporization of the liquid is supplied by a heat pump using the magnetocaloric effect, of which the hot source exchanges heat, directly or indirectly, with the liquid which vaporizes.