Patents by Inventor Patrick Le Bot
Patrick Le Bot has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20110011130Abstract: A method of producing at least one air gas using cryogenic distillation is provided. The expanded streams coming from the two turbines are combined and then split into two fractions. The first fraction is sent to the medium-pressure column of the system in gaseous form, whereas the second fraction is returned to the cold end of the heat exchange line. At a temperature T4 below ?100° C. and above T2, the second fraction is sent to a turbine where it expands up to a temperature T5, forming an air stream. This air stream is then warmed in the heat exchange line before being discharged into the atmosphere, so that the distillation is not disturbed. A liquid product is withdrawn from the column system as final product. The sole liquid product from the apparatus is liquid oxygen, but of course other products may be produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2008Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Xavier Pontone
-
Publication number: 20100314888Abstract: A process for the integration of an air separation apparatus and of a steam reheat cycle is presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicants: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'EDtude Et L'Exloitation Des Procedes Georges Claude, Siemens Vai Metals Technologies GmbH & Co.Inventors: Marie Cognard, Richard Dubettier-Grenier, Jens Juckel, Patrick Le Bot
-
Publication number: 20100242811Abstract: A carbon fuel combustion process, employing an air gas separation unit, a combustion unit operating either with air or with an oxidizer leaner in nitrogen than air, coming from the air gas separation unit, and a unit for compressing and/or purifying the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas, wherein the power consumed by the air gas separation unit and/or the flow of oxygen produced by the air gas separation unit and/or the capture of the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas are variable over time is presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: L'Air Liquids Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Philippe Court, Arthur Darde, Jean-Pierre Tranier, Patrick Le Bot, Jean-Mac Tsevery
-
Publication number: 20100115995Abstract: [ 4 ? ? Q air ? ? ? K ? ( P P 0 ) ? 0.35 ] ? 1 / 2 ( I ) In a process for the separation of air into at least one constituent by cryogenic distillation of air in a system of columns (1, 3) comprising at least one column (1, 3) for producing at least gaseous oxygen and/or nitrogen as product, if the operating pressure of the largest-diameter column is P>2 bar abs, then the diameter (in metres) of this column is less than (I), where : Qair is the sum of the flow rates in Sm3/h of the air feeding the column system and K is the capacity per unit area of the column and P0 is equal to 2 bar abs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2005Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Anne-Maie Olivier Bruder, Patrick Le Bot, Richard Dubettier-Grenier
-
Publication number: 20090249830Abstract: A process for producing variable gaseous nitrogen and variable gaseous oxygen by air distillation, during a period of high demand for gaseous nitrogen and for gaseous oxygen, liquid nitrogen is drawn off from a storage vessel, the liquid nitrogen is vaporized by heat exchange with a first flow of compressed, purified and cooled air, the vaporized nitrogen is sent to the customer and the first flow of liquefied air produced by the heat exchange is sent to a liquefied air storage vessel, liquid oxygen is drawn off from a storage vessel, the liquid oxygen is vaporized by heat exchange with a second flow of compressed, purified and cooled air, the vaporized oxygen is sent to the customer and the second flow of liquefied air is sent to the storage vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Patrick Le Bot
-
Publication number: 20090211295Abstract: Heat exchange assembly comprising at least one first and one second heat exchange body (5, 7), each body being of the plate heat exchanger type, comprising a plurality of metal plates of substantially similar contour extending along a first dimension or length and a second dimension or width, spaced from and arranged in parallel rows to one another along a third dimension or thickness and sealing means bounding flattened passages with the said plates, forming at least one passage of a first type and at least one passage of a second type, the sealing means allocated to each passage releasing one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet, characterized in that one side bounded by a width and a thickness of at least one first heat exchange body is located at least partially opposite a side bounded by a width and a thickness of at least one second heat exchange body, the two sides being separated by insulating material (I).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Patrice Cavagne, Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Daniel Gourdain, Marc Wagner, Frederic Judas, Jean-Marc Peyron, Bernard Saulnier, David Averous, Isabelle Naude, Ivan Lewon
-
Publication number: 20090107176Abstract: Integrated air separation units with a petrochemical process. This invention provides an integrated process and gas treatment process wherein at least one first pressurized gas derived from a first process at a first site is expanded. Using the work generated by the expansion of at least one pressurized gas, a first gas compressor at the first site is driven, operates, and removes compressed gas from the first gas compressor. At least part of the compressed gas from the first gas compressor is sent to a gas treatment unit located at a remote second site. At least part of the compressed gas sent from the first site to the second site is treated in the gas treatment unit. At least one fluid from the gas treatment unit is removed and at least part of the fluid removed from the gas treatment unit is sent to the first site.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2009Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGEInventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Bernard Saulnier
-
Publication number: 20090078001Abstract: Methods and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation in a double or triple air separation column. The column in the system with the highest operating pressure is said to be operating at medium pressure. All the air to be distilled is pressurized to a high pressure, which is about 5 bar greater than the medium pressure. The air is purified at this high pressure, and a portion of the purified air is cooled in a heat exchange line, while another portion is expanded in a turbine. Part of the cooled air is drawn from the exchange line with a cold booster, which is mechanically coupled to at least one turbine. An energy dissipation device is also provided which is coupled to the turbine not coupled to the cold booster. The energy dissipation device is either another booster, an oil break system, or an electrical generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicants: l'Exploitation des ProInventors: Patrick Le Bot, Olivier De Cayeux
-
Patent number: 7502667Abstract: Production plants for treating gas mixtures and methods of their operation. The plant's treatment unit is operated in periods when the cost of electricity is either above a first level or below a second level. At some point when the cost is below the second level, part of the fluid is stored in a storage tank. This stored liquid is supplied to the customer when the cost is above the first level. When the cost is below the second level, a fluid with predefined properties is produced by the treatment unit. When the cost is above the first level, the power consumption of the treatment unit is reduced and a less ideal fluid is produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot
-
Patent number: 7497092Abstract: Process and apparatus for optimization of integrated air separation systems. In an integrated process for the compression, cooling, and purification of air, an adiabatic compressor compresses an air stream to produce a compressed air stream. The compressed air stream is used to warm a first pressurized stream at a first pressure and a second pressurized stream at a second pressure. The produced streams include a first warmed pressurized stream, a second warmed pressurized stream, and a cooled compressed air stream. The first warmed pressurized stream is gaseous and is expanded in a turbine. At least part of the work produced by the turbine is used to power the adiabatic compressor. The cooled compressed air stream is further cooled by a cooling unit by heat exchange with water, and then purified in a purifying unit using a TSA process.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Patrick Le Bot
-
Patent number: 7490484Abstract: Integrated air separation units with a petrochemical process. This invention provides an integrated process and gas treatment process wherein at least one first pressurized gas derived from a first process at a first site is expanded. Using the work generated by the expansion of at least one pressurized gas, a first gas compressor at the first site is driven, operates, and removes compressed gas from the first gas compressor. At least part of the compressed gas from the first gas compressor is sent to a gas treatment unit located at a remote second site. At least part of the compressed gas sent from the first site to the second site is treated in the gas treatment unit. At least one fluid from the gas treatment unit is removed and at least part of the fluid removed from the gas treatment unit is sent to the first site.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Bernard Saulnier
-
Patent number: 7464568Abstract: Methods and apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation in a double or triple air separation column. The column in the system with the highest operating pressure is said to be operating at medium pressure. All the air to be distilled is pressurized to a high pressure, which is about 5 bar greater than the medium pressure. The air is purified at this high pressure, and a portion of the purified air is cooled in a heat exchange line, while another portion is expanded in a turbine. Part of the cooled air is drawn from the exchange line with a cold booster, which is mechanically coupled to at least one turbine. An energy dissipation device is also provided which is coupled to the turbine not coupled to the cold booster. The energy dissipation device is either another booster, an oil break system, or an electrical generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Patrick Le Bot, Olivier De Cayeux
-
Publication number: 20080223076Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for separation of air by means of cryogenic distillation. According to the invention, all of the air is brought to a high pressure greater than the medium pressure and purified. Part of the purified air flow (11) is cooled in an exchange line (9) and, subsequently, divided into two fractions (13, 15). Each of the fractions expands in a turbine (17, 19), the intake pressure of the two turbines being greater than the medium pressure by at least 5 bars. Moreover, the discharge pressure of at least one of the two turbines is essentially equal to the medium pressure. At least part of the air that was expanded in at least one of the turbines is conveyed to the medium pressure column (100) of a double or triple column. Subsequently, a cold booster (23), which is mechanically connected to one (19) of the expansion turbines, draws the air which was cooled in the main exchange line and releases said air at a temperature greater than the intake temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2005Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventor: Patrick Le Bot
-
Publication number: 20080034790Abstract: The invention relates to a method of enriching a pressurised gas stream (1) with one of the components (A) thereof. The inventive method comprises the following steps: the stream is separated into at least first and second fractions (2, 3); at least one part of the first fraction (2) is sent to a separation unit (ASU); the separation unit supplies at least two discharges, including a first discharge (10) having a greater A content than that of the fraction (2) supplied to the separation unit; at least one part of the first discharge (10) is mixed with at least one part of the second fraction (3) such as to form a pressurised gas mixture (15); the second fraction (3) is expanded and, subsequently, at least one part of the first discharge (10) is mixed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2004Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Patrick Le Bot, Xavier Pontone
-
Patent number: 7296437Abstract: A process and an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation. The apparatus has a medium pressure column thermally coupled to a low pressure column. Compressed and purified air is cooled to cryogenic temperature in an exchanger, and sent at least partly to the medium pressure column. Streams enriched in oxygen and nitrogen are sent from the medium pressure column to the low pressure column and, streams enriched in nitrogen and oxygen are removed from the low pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Emmanuel Garnier, Daniel Gourdain, Frederic Judas, Patrick Le Bot, Frederic Staine
-
Patent number: 7263859Abstract: Process and apparatus for cooling a compressed gas stream which utilizes one or more elongated vessels having a substantially vertical orientation. Each vessel has one compartment for indirect heat exchange between the compressed gas stream and a cooling stream and a second compartment for direct contact between the compressed gas stream and a liquid stream. The two compartments are separated by a barrier, which allows for upward passage of air, but prevents the downward passage of liquid. The design permits one to use the heat present in the compressed air efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Patrick Le Bot
-
Publication number: 20070137247Abstract: An integrated process and air separation process including the steps of: Work expanding at least one first pressurized gas 39 derived from a first process at a first site 1, using work generated by the expansion of the at least one pressurized gas to drive a first air compressor 5 at the first site and removing compressed air from the first air compressor, sending at least part of the compressed air 19 from the first air compressor to an air separation unit 21, located at a second site 2 remote by at least 1 km from the first site, separating at least part of the compressed air sent from the first site to the second site in the air separation unit and removing at least one fluid 37 enriched in a component of air from the air separation unit and sending at least part of the fluid enriched in a component of air to the first site.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Alain GUILLARD, Patrick Le Bot, Bernard Saulnier
-
Patent number: 7225637Abstract: Process and apparatus for optimization of integrated air separation systems. In an integrated process for the compression, cooling, and purification of air, an adiabatic compressor compresses an air stream to produce a compressed air stream. The compressed air stream is used to warm a first pressurized stream at a first pressure and a second pressurized stream at a second pressure. The produced streams include a first warmed pressurized stream, a second warmed pressurized stream, and a cooled compressed air stream. The first warmed pressurized stream is gaseous and is expanded in a turbine. At least part of the work produced by the turbine is used to power the adiabatic compressor. The cooled compressed air stream is further cooled by a cooling unit by heat exchange with water, and then purified in a purifying unit using a TSA process.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme á´ Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Patrick Le Bot
-
Patent number: 7197894Abstract: An integrated process and air separation process including the steps of: Work expanding at least one first pressurized gas 39 derived from a first process at a first site 1, using work generated by the expansion of the at least one pressurized gas to drive a first air compressor 5 at the first site and removing compressed air from the first air compressor, sending at least part of the compressed air 19 from the first air compressor to an air separation unit 21, located at a second site 2 remote by at least 1 km from the first site, separating at least part of the compressed air sent from the first site to the second site in the air separation unit and removing at least one fluid 37 enriched in a component of air from the air separation unit and sending at least part of the fluid enriched in a component of air to the first site.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme A' Directorie et Conseil De Survelliance Pour L'Etude Et, L'Exploltation Des Procedes Georges, ClaudeInventors: Alain Guillard, Patrick Le Bot, Bernard Saulnier
-
Publication number: 20060277944Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cryogenic distillation of air. In a system of air separation columns, all the air is taken to a high pressure which is 5 to 10 bar greater than a medium pressure. A portion of air, between 10% and 50% of the high pressure air stream, is boosted in a cold booster. This boosted air is then sent to an exchanger and a portion of it liquefies at the cold end of the exchanger. Part of the air is sent to one column of the column system, and another fraction is partly expanded in a Claude turbine. After expansion in the turbine, the air is sent to a medium pressure column, and a liquid stream is withdrawn for one of the columns of the system. The withdrawn stream is pressurized and vaporizes in the exchange line. The cold booster is coupled to either an expansion turbine, an electric motor, or a combination of the two.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2004Publication date: December 14, 2006Inventors: Patrick Le Bot, Olivier De Cayeux, Frederic Judas