Abstract: A method for condensing argon can include two flow streams interacting with each other in a heat exchanger found within a cold box: a stream of gaseous argon enters the heat exchanger to be cooled down below its liquefaction point by a stream of pressurized liquid nitrogen entering the heat exchanger. While passing through the heat exchanger, gaseous argon is gradually cooled down until it is condensed into liquid, flowing by gravity to the nearby liquid argon storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

Abstract: A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (“ASU”) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.

Abstract: A method for moving a packed column section about a remote manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the packed column section can include a first course, a second course, packing disposed within the first course and second course, and a plurality of distributors. The method can include the steps of placing the packed column section on top of a movable platform, the movable platform configured to support and distribute the weight of the packed column section; and moving the packed column section from a first point to a second point, the second point being in an open area adapted for stacking a plurality of packed column sections on top of each other to form a column.

Abstract: A system for moving heavy objects about a manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the system can include a pair of rails disposed on the ground of the manufacturing yard; a plurality of multi-ton rollers configured to mate with the rails, each multi-ton roller configured to be attached to a movable platform which is configured to accept a packed column section; and a winch disposed between the pair of rails and secured to the ground of the manufacturing yard, the winch having a spool of cable with one end configured to be attached to the movable platform, the winch configured to apply a force to cause the movable platform to travel about a length of the pair of rails.

Abstract: A method for condensing argon can include two flow streams interacting with each other in a heat exchanger found within a cold box: a stream of gaseous argon enters the heat exchanger to be cooled down below its liquefaction point by a stream of pressurized liquid nitrogen entering the heat exchanger. While passing through the heat exchanger, gaseous argon is gradually cooled down until it is condensed into liquid, flowing by gravity to the nearby liquid argon storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a distillation column in a remote location away from a permanent manufacturing facility is provided. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: forming a plurality of column sections each having a diameter D, each column section comprising a plurality of courses that have been horizontally welded together, wherein each course is comprised of two or more partial shells that have been vertically welded together, wherein each of the two or more partial shells was created by vertically rolling a rectangular plate having a length of at least ( 1 N ? ? · D ) , wherein N is the number of partial shells used to form the course; installing a distributor and packing in each column section to form a plurality of packed column sections; and stacking the plurality of packed column sections to form a column.

Abstract: A system for moving heavy objects about a manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the system can include a pair of rails disposed on the ground of the manufacturing yard; a plurality of multi-ton rollers configured to mate with the rails, each multi-ton roller configured to be attached to a movable platform which is configured to accept a packed column section; and a winch disposed between the pair of rails and secured to the ground of the manufacturing yard, the winch having a spool of cable with one end configured to be attached to the movable platform, the winch configured to apply a force to cause the movable platform to travel about a length of the pair of rails.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a distillation column in a remote location away from a permanent manufacturing facility is provided. In one embodiment, the method can include the steps of: forming a plurality of column sections each having a diameter D, each column section comprising a plurality of courses that have been horizontally welded together, wherein each course is comprised of two or more partial shells that have been vertically welded together, wherein each of the two or more partial shells was created by vertically rolling a rectangular plate having a length of at least ( 1 N ? ? · D ) , wherein N is the number of partial shells used to form the course; installing a distributor and packing in each column section to form a plurality of packed column sections; and stacking the plurality of packed column sections to form a column.

Abstract: A method for moving a packed column section about a remote manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the packed column section can include a first course, a second course, packing disposed within the first course and second course, and a plurality of distributors. The method can include the steps of placing the packed column section on top of a movable platform, the movable platform configured to support and distribute the weight of the packed column section; and moving the packed column section from a first point to a second point, the second point being in an open area adapted for stacking a plurality of packed column sections on top of each other to form a column.

Abstract: A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (“ASU”) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.