Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.

Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.

Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.

Abstract: A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.

Abstract: Improved capacity structured packing arranged in a section or brick wherein the packing in the base region of the section is configured differently from the structured packing in the bulk region making resistance to gas flow between the packing sheets in the base region less than resistance to gas flow between the sheets in the bulk region.

Abstract: A downflow heat exchanger, particularly applicable as the main condenser/reboiler of a double column cryogenic air separation plant, wherein liquid distribution for uniform flow is carried out above the vapor passages and the well distributed liquid is passed into the liquid passages, preferably angularly onto the bridge fins, and then down through the liquid passages cocurrently with vapor in adjacent vapor passages.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system which advantageously separates feed air wherein the thermodynamic irreversibility of the argon column top condenser and the lower pressure column is reduced by using a stripping column upstream of the double column main plant.

Abstract: A downflow heat exchanger, particularly applicable as the main condenser/reboiler of a double column cryogenic air separation plant, wherein liquid distribution for uniform flow is carried out above the vapor passages and the well distributed liquid is passed into the liquid passages, preferably angularly onto the bridge fins, and then down through the liquid passages cocurrently with vapor in adjacent vapor passages.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system wherein a portion of the feed air is condensed against vaporizing product from the air separation plant and at least some of the vaporized bottom liquid from the higher pressure column is withdrawn from the system, bypassing the lower pressure column thereby increasing the L/V ratio in the upper portion of the lower pressure column to compensate for reduced liquid in that column caused by the feed air liquefaction.

Abstract: The vapor capacity of multiple downcomer type fractionation trays is increased by the provision of vapor directing slots in the tray deck, with the slots being oriented toward the closest downcomer to reduce froth height. The slots located in the relatively narrow deck area between downcomers are accordingly divided into two sets which point in opposite directions. Vertical baffles are provided above the downcomer inlets. The baffles preferably extend upward to slightly below the lower surface of the next higher tray, with the upper edge of the baffles being notched to accommodate the downcomers of this next higher tray.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a rotatable mass of structured packing for mass or heat transfer between two contacting fluids of different densities wherein the packing mass is made up of corrugated sheets of involute shape relative to the axis of the packing mass and form a logarithmic spiral curved counter to the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A distillation system, particularly useful for the cryogenic distillation of feed air, employing a first column and a partitioned second column whereby three separate product streams may be withdrawn from the partitioned column.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing liquid over the cross section of a liquid-vapor contacting column comprising a distributor plate having orifices for downward liquid flow and risers for upward vapor flow. Above the distributor plate is a trough for receiving liquid to be distributed. The vapor risers directly below the trough extend through the trough. The trough floor has annular openings around the penetrating vapor risers to discharge liquid onto the distributor plate below.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system using a random packing section below a section of structured packing and redistributing liquid between sets of random and structured Packing sections.

Abstract: Structured metal column packing with corrugations and textured surfaces having a defined construction of the corrugation corners which enables significantly improved performance especially under turndown conditions.

Abstract: A cryogenic distillation system employing a multisection column wherein structure packing of different packing density is employed in at least two sections of the column.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system characterized by a hybrid argon column having trays in the lower portion and packing in the upper portion whereby the argon column is operated at a lower pressure thus enabling improved argon recovery while maintaining the pressure sufficiently high at the lower end of the argon column to enable fluid flow back to the main column system without need for pressurization.

Abstract: Structured column packing having a fluted surface wherein the flute elevation forms a shelf sufficient to cause downflowing liquid to pool on the shelf thereby enabling more efficient countercurrent vapor-liquid mass transfer.

Abstract: A double rectification column air separation system with an associated argon column having a hybrid upper column containing both trays and packing in a defined construction wherein the upper column contains essentially exclusively packing below the argon column feed takeoff.

Abstract: A bubble cap tray enabling efficient mass transfer over a wide range of vapor-liquid flowrates comprising bubble caps having triangular-shaped openings of substantially equal total area disposed in rows distant from the inlet and proximate the inlet wherein the bubble caps in rows distant from the inlet experience a substantially equal liquid head across the tray and the bubble caps in rows proximate the inlet experience a lesser liquid head than the bubble caps in the rows distant from the inlet.