Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pressurized product stream product by cryogenic rectification. A main heat exchanger, used in the cryogenic rectification, warms a pumped product stream composed of oxygen-rich or nitrogen-rich liquid and thereby produces the pressurized product stream. Layers of the main heat exchanger are designed such that a reduction in the heat transfer area provided within the main heat exchanger for warming the pumped product stream occurs at a location at which the temperature of the pumped product stream exceeds either the critical or a dew point temperature of such stream. The reduction in heat transfer area leaves regions of the layers able to heat or cool another stream that is used in connection with the cryogenic rectification. Such other stream can be a refrigerant stream that allows the introduction of additional refrigeration to increase production of liquid products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pressurized product stream product by cryogenic rectification. A main heat exchanger, used in the cryogenic rectification, warms a pumped product stream composed of oxygen-rich or nitrogen-rich liquid and thereby produces the pressurized product stream. Layers of the main heat exchanger are designed such that a reduction in the heat transfer area provided within the main heat exchanger for warming the pumped product stream occurs at a location at which the temperature of the pumped product stream exceeds either the critical or a dew point temperature of such stream. The reduction in heat transfer area leaves regions of the layers able to heat or cool another stream that is used in connection with the cryogenic rectification. Such other stream can be a refrigerant stream that allows the introduction of additional refrigeration to increase production of liquid products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for increasing liquid production involving retrofitting an existing air separation plant with a nitrogen liquefier. The nitrogen liquefier liquefies a nitrogen-rich vapor stream withdrawn from the higher pressure column to return a nitrogen-rich liquid stream to the higher pressure column. This increases liquid nitrogen reflux to the higher pressure column to in turn increase the production of liquid oxygen containing column bottoms of the higher pressure column and therefore, the production of oxygen-rich liquid in the lower pressure column. The increased production of the oxygen-rich liquid allows a liquid oxygen product to be taken at an increased rate or for the liquid oxygen product to be taken in the first instance, if the plant is not designed to produce such a product. Also liquid nitrogen and argon products can be produced at an increased rate as a result of the retrofit.

Abstract: A method for the cryogenic separation of air having defined temperatures for condensed feed air passed into a double column system relative to liquid oxygen and preferably to shelf vapor, and wherein kettle liquid is not subcooled from the higher pressure column to the lower pressure column.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system having enhanced liquid production capacity wherein a feed air stream bypasses the primary heat exchanger and is processed through cooling and warming passes of a feed air liquefier to produce liquid feed air for introduction into the cryogenic air separation plant.

Abstract: A method for providing refrigeration to a cryogenic rectification plant which enables the facile provision of varying amounts of refrigeration to the plant wherein a working fluid is pressurized in a recycle compressor, a first portion is at least partially condensed in a heat exchanger and passed into the plant, a second portion is cooled and then turboexpanded to generate refrigeration, the refrigeration bearing second portion passes refrigeration in the heat exchanger to the first portion to effect the condensation, and the resulting second portion is not passed into the cryogenic rectification plant but rather is returned to the recycle compressor.

Abstract: An annular column, particularly useful for cryogenic rectification, comprising coaxially oriented, radially spaced cylindrical column walls defining a first column region, and a second column region between the walls, wherein different fluid mixtures are rectified in each of the first column and second column regions.

Abstract: An annular column, particularly useful for cryogenic rectification, comprising coaxially oriented, radially spaced cylindrical column walls defining a first column region, and a second column region between the walls, wherein different fluid mixtures are rectified in each of the first column and second column regions.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system wherein base load pressure energy is supplied to the feed air by a base load compressor and custom load pressure energy is supplied to the feed air by a bridge machine having one or more turbine booster compressors and one or more product boiler booster compressors, all of the compressors of the bridge machine driven by power supplied through a single gear case.