Abstract: A feed gas including neon, nitrogen, and helium is cooled in a heat exchange system to a first temperature to produce a two-phase mixture that is introduced into a first phase separator and separated into a nitrogen-rich liquid and a first gaseous crude neon stream. The pressure is reduced in at least a portion of the nitrogen-rich liquid, which is vaporized in the heat exchange system to generate a portion of the refrigeration therein. The first gaseous crude neon stream is introduced into a first adsorber that removes impurities such as nitrogen. The gaseous crude neon stream is further cooled to a second temperature. A portion of the cooling duty may come from the heat exchange system and another portion may come from a cryocooler to produce a two-phase stream.

Abstract: An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power generation system is operated with a cryogenic air separation system which produces oxygen used in a gasification system to produce fuel gas for the IGCC combustion turbine and pressurized nitrogen which is introduced into the combustor for control of nitrogen oxides and increased combustion turbine output. The air separation system produces argon as an additional product, and the air separation system preferably operates in the feed pressure range of about 100 to about 160 psia. The compressed air feed for the air separation system and the compressed combustion air for the IGCC system are provided independently in separate compression steps.