摘要 |
An amount of product(s) (36, 38, 41, 42) produced by an air separation unit (X) is increased by integrating a single column cryogenic distillation unit (Y) such that the production of the air separation unit is boosted to A+B moles/h. A process for increasing the amount of product(s) produced by the air separation unit (X) comprises integrating the single column cryogenic distillation unit. The product has a different composition, and optionally a different state and/or a different pressure, from the fluid mixture(s). The air separation unit alone, before a single column cryogenic distillation unit is integrated to it, produces an A moles/h of a first product and the amount of the first product withdrawn from the air separation unit and optionally from the distillation unit is increased to C moles/h. C is greater than A, and comprises fluid steam(s) withdrawn from the air separation unit and optionally from the distillation unit. The integration comprises sending energy and/or fluid stream(s) from the air separation unit to the distillation unit and/or from the distillation unit to the air separation unit. The distillation unit treats fluid mixture(s) by process(es) such that the air separation unit produces an amount of first product A+B moles/h. The process(es) is/are pressurization, mixing, expansion, distillation, liquefaction, adsorption, and/or permeation. An Independent claim is also included for an air separation apparatus having an air separation unit comprising a high and/or a low pressure column (25, 27) and possibly an intermediate pressure column and/or mixing column, which are thermally linked; means for producing a stream containing more than 20 mol % oxygen from a single column cryogenic distillation unit; means for sending part(s) of the stream to the high and/or low pressure column and/or intermediate pressure column and/or mixing column; means for sending cooled and purified air to the high pressure and/or to the distillation unit; and means for removing an oxygen enriched product from the unit(s) of the apparatus. |