Process and apparatus for cryogenic separation of gases

摘要

A back-up quantity of a "first" gas is supplied temporarily to maintain the level of production of the first gas from a cryogenic separation of a gaseous mixture comprising the first gas and at least one other gas in the event of reduction in the level of production of said first gas from the separation. In the event of reduction in the level of production of said first gas from the separation, liquefied first gas inventory is withdrawn from the or at least one of said cryogenic distillation systems and vaporised to produce said back-up quantity of first gas. The invention has particular application to the production of gaseous oxygen ("GOX") from the separation of air.