APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW PRESSURE GASEOUS OXYGEN

摘要

An apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen includes a heat exchanger and a system of columns comprised of an auxiliary column, a higher pressure column and a lower pressure column. The LP column and the HP column are thermally integrated via a top reboiler/condenser disposed on top of the HP column. The system of columns is configured to separate a cooled air stream into oxygen and nitrogen. The auxiliary column comprises a distillation section and a first and second reboiler. One of the reboilers is driven by the cooled air stream and the other reboiler is driven by a pressurized nitrogen stream. The first and second reboilers boil their fluids at the same pressure as the auxiliary column.

主权项

1. An apparatus for the production of low pressure gaseous oxygen, the apparatus comprising:
a) a heat exchanger having a warm end, a cold end, and an intermediate section; b) an auxiliary column in fluid communication with the cold end of the heat exchanger, the auxiliary column further comprising a distillation section, a first reboiler and a second reboiler, wherein the first reboiler is configured to use a fluid consisting essentially of air as its reboiling fluid, wherein the second reboiler is configured to use a pressurized nitrogen stream as its reboiling fluid; c) a higher pressure (HP) column in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the auxiliary column, wherein the HP column is configured to receive at least a first portion of air from the first reboiler of the auxiliary column, wherein the HP column is configured to receive at least a first portion of the pressurized nitrogen stream from the second reboiler of the auxiliary column; d) a lower pressure (LP) column in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and the HP column, wherein the LP column is configured to receive a bottoms liquid comprising oxygen from the HP column; and e) a cold compressor in fluid communication with a top portion of the HP column, such that the compressor is configured to receive and pressurize at least a first portion of a nitrogen-rich fluid from the HP column to form the pressurized nitrogen stream.