PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING OXYGEN AND NITROGEN USING ION TRANSPORT MEMBRANES

摘要

Process and apparatus for producing an oxygen product gas and a nitrogen product gas using ion transport membrane assemblies. The apparatus comprises at least two ion transport membrane assemblies and a turboexpander downstream of one of the ion transport membrane assemblies. In the process, an oxygen- and nitrogen-containing gas is introduced into a first of the ion transport membrane assemblies to produce oxygen-depleted gas and oxygen product gas. The oxygen-depleted gas is divided, with a first portion being expanded in the turboexpander and a second portion introduced into a second of the ion transport membrane assemblies. A nitrogen-rich product gas and additional oxygen product gas are withdrawn from the second ion transport membrane assembly.