Air separation plant and process operating by cryogenic distillation

摘要

An air separation plant is provided that includes a plurality of air compressors, a plurality of air purification units, and one or more cold boxes. In a first mode of operation, a first air compressor is configured to compress air to a higher pressure than a second air compressor. In a second mode of operation, the second air compressor is configured to compress air to a higher pressure than during the first mode of operation.

主权项

1. An air separation plant comprising:
a first air compressor and a second air compressor, wherein each are configured to receive air at substantially atmospheric pressure; a first air purification unit and a second air purification unit; a cold box having one or more medium-pressure air lines and one or more high-pressure air lines; wherein the first air compressor is connected to the first air purification unit, wherein the first air purification unit is in fluid communication with the cold box; wherein the second air compressor is connected to the second air purification unit, wherein the second air purification unit is in fluid communication with the cold box, wherein the first air compressor is configured to produce air at a first pressure and further configured to send all the air at the first pressure to the first purification unit, the first purification unit being connected to the one or more high-pressure air lines of the cold box; wherein the second air compressor is configured to produce air at a second pressure and further configured to send all the air at the second pressure to the second air purification unit, the second air purification unit being connected to the one or more medium-pressure air lines of the cold box; a means for modifying the operation of the second air compressor in order to increase the pressure of the air produced to a third pressure that is higher than the second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure; and a delivery side of the second air compressor being connected to the one or more high-pressure air lines of the cold box through the second purification unit so as to send air thereto at the third pressure.