CONDENSER-REBOILER SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PERFORATED VENT TUBES

摘要

A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.

主权项

1. A condensation and vaporization system for a distillation column based air separation unit comprising:
one or more condenser-reboiler modules having a housing defining a top, a bottom, one or more lateral sides, an upper portion, and a lower portion, the one or more condenser-reboiler modules disposed between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to receive a condensing medium at a condensing inlet, an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column at an oxygen-rich liquid inlet, and further defining a condensate outlet proximate the bottom and an oxygen-rich effluent outlet; a heat exchanger disposed in the one or more condenser-reboiler modules, the heat exchanger configured to partially vaporize the oxygen-rich liquid forming an oxygen-rich effluent and condense the condensing medium forming a condensate; wherein the condensing medium is released within the heat exchanger in the condenser-reboiler modules proximate the bottom of the housing and flows in an upward and radial outward direction within the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and non-condensables present in the condensing medium accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the one or more condenser-reboiler modules; and one or more vents disposed on the periphery of the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and configured to remove the accumulated non-condensables from within the one or more condenser-reboiler modules. wherein the one or more vents further comprise a plurality of perforated tubes disposed on the periphery of the housing and extending vertically along all or a portion of the lateral sides thereof; and wherein the heat exchanger is a downflow type heat exchanger and the oxygen-rich liquid inlet is disposed proximate the top of the housing for the one or more condenser-reboiler modules and the oxygen-rich effluent outlet is disposed proximate the bottom of the condenser-reboiler module.