Abstract: A method and apparatus for argon recovery in which an impure argon stream is separated from air within a cryogenic air separation unit having a divided wall argon rejection/rectification column. The resulting argon stream is subsequently recovered and purified within an integrated pressure swing adsorption system to produce product grade argon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for argon recovery in which an impure argon stream is separated from air within a cryogenic air separation unit having a divided wall argon rejection/rectification column. The resulting argon stream is subsequently recovered and purified within an integrated pressure swing adsorption system to produce product grade argon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing argon recovery in which an impure argon stream is separated from air within a cryogenic air separation unit and purified within an integrated, multi-stage pressure swing adsorption system to produce product grade argon with high argon recovery levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for argon recovery in which an impure argon stream is separated from air within a cryogenic air separation unit having an argon rejection column and a reflux type argon condenser disposed internally within the lower pressure column. An impure argon stream is subsequently recovered from the argon rejection column and purified within an integrated adsorbent based argon refining and purification subsystem to produce product grade argon. The waste stream from the adsorbent based argon refining and purification subsystem is recycled back to the argon rejection column so as to improve the argon recovery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air by cryogenic rectification in which cooled, compressed and purified air is separated in a distillation column system having higher and lower pressure columns operatively associated with one another in a heat transfer relationship to produce an oxygen-rich liquid stream from the lower pressure column. The oxygen-rich liquid stream is pumped and heated through indirect heat exchange with a compressed heat exchange stream to form a pressurized oxygen product stream. Part of the air is sequentially and successively compressed in booster compressors driven by turboexpanders to form the compressed heat exchange stream while other parts of the air are expanded in turboexpanders driving the booster compressors to form exhaust streams that are introduced into both the higher and lower pressure columns to generate refrigeration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air in which an oxygen-rich liquid stream is pumped and then heated within a heat exchanger to produce an oxygen product through indirect heat exchange with first and second boosted pressure air streams. The first boosted pressure air stream is cold compressed at an intermediate temperature of the heat exchanger, reintroduced into the heat exchanger at a warmer temperature and then fully cooled and liquefied. The second boosted pressure air stream, after having been partially cooled, is expanded to produce an exhaust stream that is in turn introduced into a lower pressure column producing the oxygen-rich liquid. The second boosted pressure air stream is partially cooled to a temperature no greater than the intermediate temperature at which the cold compression occurs so that both the first and second boosted pressure air streams are able to take part in the heating of the oxygen-rich stream.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system which can operate at elevated pressure without encountering a severe separation efficiency burden wherein additional column reflux is generated by an indigenous nitrogen heat pump circuit.

Abstract: A system which integrates a cryogenic air separation plant with a blast furnace system enabling efficient oxygen enrichment of the blast air, and, if desired, production of additional higher purity oxygen.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system which improves argon recovery wherein vapor from the argon column top condenser is turboexpanded to generate refrigeration and is then passed into the lower pressure column.

Abstract: An air boiling cryogenic rectification system wherein additional feed air streams are used for vaporizing pressurized liquid oxygen in a once through main heat exchanger and, by turboexpansion, for the generation of refrigeration prior to being passed into the higher pressure column.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein feed partially traverses the primary heat exchanger, thereafter is turboexpanded, and then traverses another portion of the primary heat exchanger reducing the temperature differences between approaching streams within the primary heat exchanger and thus the cycle irreversibilities resulting in lower power requirements.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing lower purity oxygen wherein a higher pressure feed air stream is used to reboil the bottoms of a lower pressure column and a lower pressure feed air stream is fed directly into a higher pressure column.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing elevated pressure product wherein the lower pressure column of a two column system is operated at elevated pressure and nitrogen-containing fluid taken from the upper portion of the lower pressure column is used to generate plant refrigeration and to regenerate feed purifier adsorbent beds thus avoiding the need for any feed expansion.