A method and apparatus for separating air in which production of the liquid products can be selectively varied between high and low production rates by varying the pressure ratio across a turboexpander used in imparting refrigeration with the use of a branched flow path. The branched flow path has a system of valves to selectively and gradually introduce a compressed refrigerant air stream into either a booster compressor branch having a booster compressor to increase the pressure ratio during high modes of liquid production or a bypass branch that bypasses the booster compressor to decrease the pressure ratio during low modes of liquid production. A recycle branch is connected to the booster compressor branch to allow compressed air to be independently recycled from the outlet to the inlet of the booster compressor during turndown from the high to the low liquid mode of liquid production to prevent surge.
申请公布号
EP2941608(A2)
申请公布日期
2015.11.11
申请号
EP20130808296
申请日期
2013.11.19
申请人
PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY INC.
发明人
RAUCH, JEREMIAH, J.;SARIGIANNIS, CATHERINE, B.;WARTA, ANDREW, M.;DOWD, SOPHIA, J.