Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas separation system for the recovery of pressurized, substantially pure, constituent gaseous products from a gas mixture using a single pressure distillation column with the feed gas as the working fluid for column reflux and reboil. The present invention is particularly useful for the separation of air into pressurized oxygen and nitrogen products. In an air separation process the nitrogen stream is utilized as secondary cooling gas for a combuster, the exhaust gas of which when fed to a gas turbine can provide air feed compression energy and/or electrical power generation for export or process operation when a generator is attached to the turbine.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery of net power during the depressurization of natural gas from high pressure pipeline conditions to low pressure end user conditions wherein the natural gas is rewarmed to a relatively warm temperature greater than 35.degree. F. using renewable energy and ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air separation system for the recovery of pressurized, substantially pure oxygen gas. The system uses a single pressure distillation column and utilizes the nitrogen product stream to provide power for feed air compression, segregated heat pump fluid compression, and electric generation. The system utilizes a segregated heat pump cycle which provides heat exchange for both column reboil and reflux.

Abstract: The invention is a method of returning process generated warm vapors of a cryogen such as hydrogen, helium and neon, to the main liquefier by contacting the warm vapors with process liquefied cryogen in order to generate saturated, essentially constant enthalpy vapors that can be readily processed by the main liquefier. Three example methods are described. In the first two methods, the warm vapor is recycled through the main storage tank associated with the process back to the main liquefier. In the third method, the warm vapor is washed with liquid in a contactor before being recycled to the main liquefier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an extractive distillation separatory technique wherein the improvement comprises a two stage column with a condenser only for the high pressure section and a reboiler only for the low pressure section, as well as a flash separation of a stream communicating between the sections.