Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating a mixture comprising at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. According to said method, the mixture is separated by a first separating means, at least one liquid fraction of the chamber of the separating means is sent to a product stripper, and at least part of the liquid fraction is sent from the product stripper to a CO/CH4 separating column in order to produce a methane-enriched liquid flow and a gaseous flow enriched with carbon monoxide. The process is carried out under cold conditions at least partially as a result of a carbon monoxide cycle, said cycle at least partially ensuring the condensation at the top of the CO/CH4 separating column and/or the reboiling in the chamber of the product stripper and/or the reboiling in the chamber of the CO/CH4 separating column and/or the cooling of the mixture for the first separating means.

Abstract: A process and a device for the cryogenic separation of a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in particular of a mixture having, as main components, hydrogen and carbon monoxide is presented.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide-containing product from a feed containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen and optionally argon. The carbon monoxide-containing product is produced using a hydrogen stripping column for forming a hydrogen-enriched vapor and a hydrogen-freed liquid, a nitrogen separation fractionator for forming a nitrogen-enriched vapor and a nitrogen-depleted liquid containing carbon monoxide and methane from the hydrogen-freed liquid, and a carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator for forming the carbon monoxide containing product and a methane-enriched liquid from the nitrogen-depleted liquid. At least part of the nitrogen separation fractionator condenser duty provides the feed vaporization duty and reboiler duty for the carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator, thereby reducing the energy requirement for the separation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carbon monoxide consisting, during an adsorption step, in using N adsorbers (4A, 4B), wherein N is equal to greater than two, each of which follows, at an offset; the same period T cycle during which adsorption and regeneration phases succeed each other, in exposing, at the beginning of the adsorption phase, each adsorber to an eluting phase during which only a part of a nominal flowrate of the mixture is transferred to the adsorber until said adsorber is substantially carbon monoxide saturated while at least the second adsorber is maintained in the adsorption phase and a purified gaseous mixture is partially liquefied for producing a liquefied gaseous mixture, in storing said mixture in a capacity (7) and in transferring the liquefied gaseous mixture from the capacity to at least one column (11) for the separation thereof into a carbon monoxide rich product and, during at least one part of the adsorber eluting phases, the liquid level in the container is decrea

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide-containing product from a feed containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen and optionally argon. The carbon monoxide-containing product is produced using a hydrogen stripping column for forming a hydrogen-enriched vapor and a hydrogen-freed liquid, a nitrogen separation fractionator for forming a nitrogen-enriched vapor and a nitrogen-depleted liquid containing carbon monoxide and methane from the hydrogen-freed liquid, and a carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator for forming the carbon monoxide containing product and a methane-enriched liquid from the nitrogen-depleted liquid. At least part of the nitrogen separation fractionator condenser duty provides the feed vaporization duty and reboiler duty for the carbon monoxide/methane separation fractionator, thereby reducing the energy requirement for the separation.

Abstract: In a process for producing a mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide (73) by cryogenic separation of a feed gas containing at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the feed gas (1) is separated to produce a first gas enriched in hydrogen (71), the feed gas is scrubbed in a methane wash column (7), a carbon monoxide enriched stream (13) from the bottom of the methane wash column is separated (19) to produce a stream further enriched in carbon monoxide (23), the stream further enriched in carbon monoxide is separated to form a carbon monoxide rich stream (31,49) and a liquid methane stream (27), at least part (72) of the carbon monoxide rich stream is mixed with the first gas enriched in hydrogen to form the mixture containing at least 10% carbon monoxide as a product stream.

Abstract: An plant unit for fractionating and purifying synthesis gas is described, which is comprised of a device for partially condensing synthesis gas and a device for nitrogen washing, whereat the device for nitrogen washing is adjacent to the device for partial condensation.

Abstract: A process for recovering a first component and/or a second component from a multicomponent feed gas mixture containing the first component and the second component includes multiple steps. The first step is to pass the feed gas mixture through a membrane separation unit, thereby separating the feed gas mixture into a first stream enriched in the first component and a second stream lean in the first component. The second step is to cool the first stream. The third step is to expand the cooled first stream in a work extraction device, thereby generating a refrigeration supply for the process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a gaseous mixture thereof. The process comprises separating a cooled and partially condensed stream of feed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into hydrogen-rich vapor and carbon monoxide-rich liquid. A portion of the carbon monoxide-rich liquid is at least partially stripped of hydrogen in a hydrogen stripping column, having an operating pressure below the feed pressure to produce hydrogen-stripped carbon monoxide liquid and hydrogen-enriched carbon monoxide vapor. A further portion of the carbon monoxide-rich liquid or a stream derived therefrom is vaporized to provide refrigeration for the feed gas. The vaporized carbon monoxide-rich liquid is compressed in a compressor to below the feed pressure, cooled and partially condensed by heat exchange and at least a portion is recycled to the hydrogen stripping column.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating carbon monoxide and hydrogen from a gaseous mixture thereof. The process comprises separating a cooled and partially condensed stream of feed gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen into hydrogen-rich vapor and carbon monoxide-rich liquid. A portion of the carbon monoxide-rich liquid is at least partially stripped of hydrogen in a hydrogen stripping column, having an operating pressure below the feed pressure to produce hydrogen-stripped carbon monoxide liquid and hydrogen-enriched carbon monoxide vapor. A further portion of the carbon monoxide-rich liquid or a stream derived therefrom is vaporized to provide refrigeration for the feed gas. The vaporized carbon monoxide-rich liquid is compressed in a compressor to below the feed pressure, cooled and partially condensed by heat exchange and at least a portion is recycled to the hydrogen stripping column.

Abstract: For producing ultrapure nitrogen by low-temperature fractionation of air in a rectification system having at least one rectification column, compressed and purified feed air is conducted into a high pressure column, an oxygen-free pressurized nitrogen fraction is produced from the high pressure column, conducted into a low-pressure column and in the low-pressure column carbon-monoxide-free low-pressure nitrogen is produced as overhead gas. The oxygen-free pressurized nitrogen fraction (1) is either taken off in the liquid state from an upper region of the high pressure column or is provided from a liquid tank (22) containing stored oxygen-free nitrogen and the oxygen-free pressurized nitrogen fraction (1) is expanded into the bottom-heated low-pressure column (2).

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are separated from a condensate-containing gaseous mixture thereof by using (a) a “first” stripping column (8) to remove the hydrogen content of the CO-loaded methane stream (6) obtained by washing CO from the gaseous mixture, or the vapor portion from a phase separation thereof, ascending a methane wash column (2) and (b) a “second” stripping column or a flash separator (30) to remove the hydrogen content of the feed gas condensate (9) obtained from the methane wash column (2), or the phase separation. The vapor stream (32) from the second stripping column or flash separator (30) is fed to the first stripping column (8). The liquid stream from the first stripping column and the liquid stream (33) from the second stripping column or flash separator (30) are fed (16, 17, 19 & 20; 34 to 39) to different locations of a separation column (18) providing a gaseous carbon monoxide product stream (21) and a liquid methane wash recycle stream (3).

Abstract: A process for obtaining purified carbon monoxide from a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and one or more additional impurities to be removed by one or more vapor-liquid separation devices is provided which includes the steps of providing a feed stream of the gaseous mixture, cooling and partially condensing the feed stream to partially separate the feed stream into at least one hydrogen rich vapor substream and at least one carbon monoxide rich liquid substream, withdrawing a first and a second substream from one of the carbon monoxide rich substreams, passing the first substream through a first expansion valve to let down the pressure to a pressure nominally the same as that of a vapor-liquid separation device downstream, vaporizing the second substream using a heat exchange device to produce a third substream at a pressure substantially above that of the vapor-liquid separation device, passing the third substream through a work extraction device to provide a substantial portion of all refrige

Abstract: In the process of the invention, an ammonia synthesis mixture and carbon monoxide are produced. The hydrogen is purified in a nitrogen-washing column (61). The carbon monoxide is recovered cryogenically from a first liquid fraction (51) collected at the base of the said washing column (61), in a medium-pressure stripping column (62), then in a low-pressure distillation column (63). A second liquid fraction (52) is drawn from a position intermediate between the base and head of the washing column (61).

Abstract: An apparatus for the cryogenic separation of a mixture containing at least hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane comprises two phase separators (A, H), two heat exchangers (D, K) and two stripping columns (B, I). The mixture cooled in the first exchanger is sent into a phase separator and at least some of the condensed fraction is sent into the first stripping column (B). At least some of the head gas from the stripping column is sent into the second phase separator (H) and the liquid produced is sent into the head of the second stripping column (I). The base liquid from the first stripping column may be sent into a purification column (C).

Abstract: Gas mixtures are separated by cryogenic separation, preferably a cryogenic condensation separation cycle, into at least a first gas mixture and a second gas mixture having at least one component common with the first gas mixture; at least one gas mixture selected from at least a portion of said feed gas mixture and at least a portion of said second gas mixture is subjected to non-cryogenic separation to provide a separated gas rich in said common component; and said separated gas is added to said first gas mixture to contribute to a product gas mixture. It is particularly preferred to also blend a portion of the second gas mixture with the first gas mixture to facilitate, in conjunction with the separated stream, simultaneous control of both the amount and composition of the first gas mixture product.

Abstract: A process and plant for the combined production of carbon monoxide and an ammonia synthesis from a feed gas mixture containing essentially hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other constituents including methane. The process comprises subjecting the feed gas mixture at high pressure to partial condensation through a heat exchanger followed by separation to produce an impure hydrogen flow and a condensed fraction rich in carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide is cryogenically purified from the condensed fraction by separation and removal of dissolved hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a washing column, and is then cryogenically purified by washing with nitrogen in the washing column while drawing off a liquid fraction rich in carbon monoxide at the base of the washing column. An ammonia synthesis mixture is produced by adding a nitrogen supplement taken from a high-pressure nitrogen stream, and from the hydrogen flow produced at the head of the washing column.

Abstract: The separation energy requirement of a conventional cryogenic process for separating carbon monoxide ("CO") from a gaseous feed containing primarily CO and hydrogen is reduced by an improvement to the process. In the process, CO is scrubbed from a vapor portion of the feed by a liquid methane wash and dissolved hydrogen is stripped from the resultant CO-loaded liquid methane stream. The hydrogen-stripped CO-loaded liquid methane stream is sub-cooled and split into at least first and second substreams. The first substream is expanded and introduced into a CO/methane fractionation column as a liquid feed. The second substream is partially vaporized and introduced into said fractionating column as a two-phase feed. The fractionating column separates the hydrogen-stripped CO-loaded liquid methane feeds to provide CO-rich vapor overheads and methane-rich bottoms liquid. A "high pressure" CO recycle heat pump stream provides reboil to the fractionation column.

Abstract: Hydrogen (4), and carbon monoxide (21) are separated from a gaseous mixture thereof, typically a mixture of essentially hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane (1) using liquid methane (3) to dissolve carbon monoxide in a methane wash column (2), removing (8) residual hydrogen (15) from the loaded methane wash (6,9), and separating (18) the residual loaded methane into carbon monoxide and methane fractions (21,22). The residual hydrogen (15) is removed in a hydrogen stripping column (8), said column being refluxed with a methane rich scrubbing liquid stream (13) withdrawn from an intermediate location of the methane wash column (2).

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is separated from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and methane and contaminated with nitrogen by scrubbing carbon monoxide from a vapor portion of the feed by a liquid methane wash; stripping dissolved hydrogen from the resultant CO-loaded liquid methane stream; fractionating the resultant hydrogen-stripped CO-loaded liquid methane stream to separate nitrogen therefrom; and fractionating the resultant nitrogen-freed bottoms liquid into CO product overheads vapor and methane bottoms liquid. If the gaseous mixture also contains argon, argon content can be removed with the methane content to obviate a separate argon-separation stage as required by prior art processes.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is separated from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide and contaminated with nitrogen by partially condensing the mixture to provide a hydrogen-enriched vapor feed fraction and a carbon monoxide-enriched liquid feed fraction; separating nitrogen from carbon monoxide in said liquid fraction in a distillation column to provide nitrogen-freed liquid carbon monoxide bottoms and nitrogen-enriched vapor overheads; condensing at least a portion of said overheads against a recycle heat pump stream derived from said gaseous mixture and containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and returning at least a portion of said condensed overheads to said nitrogen-separation column as reflux. The recycle heat pump stream usually is provided by condensation from the hydrogen-enriched vapor feed fraction and/or by separation from the carbon monoxide-enriched liquid feed fraction.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is separated from a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and contaminated with nitrogen by separating hydrogen and carbon monoxide contents to provide a carbon monoxide-enriched nitrogen-containing stream and separating carbon monoxide and nitrogen contents of said stream in a nitrogen-separation column to provide a nitrogen-enriched overheads vapor and a nitrogen-freed bottoms liquid. The overheads vapor is washed with liquid nitrogen to remove carbon monoxide therefrom and the resultant carbon monoxide-enriched liquid nitrogen is returned to said column as additional reflux. The liquid nitrogen wash simultaneously reduces the loss of carbon monoxide with the nitrogen-enriched vapor and provides refrigeration to the process. When the gaseous feed is a synthesis gas also containing methane, the methane and carbon monoxide contents can be separated before or after separation of the nitrogen and carbon monoxide contents.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an efficient and easier to operate distillation embodiment to separate mixtures containing three or more components into streams enriched in one of the components. In this invention, from one end of an earlier distillation column, a liquid or a vapor stream containing two or more components is sent to a subsequent column, then a return vapor or a liquid stream is implemented between the same locations of the two columns. This establishes a two-way communication between one end of the earlier distillation column and the subsequent distillation column. From the other end of the earlier distillation column, a vapor or a liquid stream is eventually fed to another location of the subsequent distillation column; no return stream is implemented between the same locations of the two columns. This establishes the one-way communication between the other end of the earlier distillation column and the subsequent distillation column.

Abstract: The molar ratio of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in synthesis gas is changed by partially condensing at least a portion of the feed gas and separating the partially condensed feed mixture by non-fractionating phase separation. Preferably, the partially condensed feed mixture is separated by a first phase separation into a first liquid stream and a first vapor stream; the first vapor stream is partially condensed and separated by a second phase separation into a second liquid stream and a second vapor stream; the second vapor stream is warmed and expanded to provide refrigeration and partial condensation; and the expanded partially condensed stream is separated by a third phase separation to provide a third liquid stream and a third vapor stream. The synthesis gas product is at least partially derived from the third liquid stream and a portion of the third vapor stream.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, according to which:a) a flow to be purified, comprising at least 90 mol % of a compound chosen from nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or a mixture of these compounds and at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, is cooled to a temperature of less than -40.degree. C.;b) the cooled flow is passed through an adsorbent for the adsorption of at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO, the adsorbent comprising at least one porous metal oxide;c) a flow which is substantially purified with respect to at least one of the impurities O.sub.2 and CO is recovered.

Abstract: The plant comprises an adsorbent-filled tank (8) permanently interposed in the line (2), between the purification unit (3), operating by adsorption of solidifiable impurities from the gas mixture (5) containing carbon monoxide, and the cryogenic separation unit which delivers pure carbon monoxide at its outlet (6). The adsorbent in the tank (8), advantageously the same as the adsorbent in the adsorbers (4A, 4B) of the purification unit (3), has an affinity for carbon monoxide, thus making it possible to reduce the cyclic variations in the carbon monoxide production delivery rate which results from the cyclic operation of the adsorbers (4A, 4B) of the separation unit (3).

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is recovered by a cryogenic route from a gas mixture, for example from the tail gas of an operation for scrubbing with nitrogen in the preparation of an ammonia synthesis mixture, this mixture containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen and other constituents including nitrogen. The hydrogen is separated off by partial condensation and the other components by distillation of the condensate. The carbon monoxide is produced by distillation in two columns, of which only one has a head condenser fed with a flow of liquid carbon monoxide. A liquid flow is drawn at an intermediate level in the column with the head condenser and directed to the head of the other column.

Abstract: Light components are stripped from a multicomponent liquid feed mixture in a core type plate-fin heat exchanger by heating and partially vaporizing the mixture during downward flow in one of a plurality of multichannel flow passageways in the exchanger. The vapor thus formed flows upward and promotes vaporization of dissolved light components from the liquid to yield a liquid product substantially free of lighter components. The passageways are disposed in indirect heat exchange with one or more additional groups of passageways, and heat for partial vaporization of the downward-flowing liquid feed mixture is provided by indirect heat exchange with a condensing process stream. Alternatively, this heat is provided by a bottoms stream recovered from distillation of the stripped liquid product withdrawn from the core type plate-fin heat exchanger.

Abstract: In the recovery of a pure CO fraction from a charge containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane from which water and carbon dioxide have optionally been removed, the charge is cooled and partially condensed; and the carbon monoxide is scrubbed out with supercooled liquid methane. The resultant hydrogen is stripped out, and the recovered CO/CH.sub.4 -rich fraction is separated by rectification to obtain a pure CO fraction and a CH.sub.4 -rich fraction. The supercooled liquid methane used as the scrubbing agent contains at least 2 to 15 mol % carbon monoxide, preferably 7 to 10 mol % carbon monoxide. Also, the hydrogen stripper and methane scrubbing column can be combined in a single column.