PROCESS FOR DISTILLATION OF MULTICOMPONENT FLUID AND PRODUCTION OF AN ARGON-ENRICHED STREAM FROM A CRYOGENIC AIR SEPARATION PROCESS

摘要

A process separates a multicomponent feed by distillation into at least one stream enriched in the most volatile component, one stream enriched in the least volatile component, and one stream enriched in a component of intermediate volatility . In one embodiment, the process produces an argon-enriched stream from a cryogenic a ir separation process. The distillation system includes at least one distillati on column that produces a nitrogen-enriched stream from the top of the column, an oxygen product stream from the bottom of the column, and an argon-enriched stream from a partition ed section. The geometry of the partitioned section minimizes vapor and liquid maldistribution, and includes a vertical separating element and an end separating element to isolate the partitioned section from the intermediate distillation section. The equivale nt diameter (De) of the partitioned section is at least 60% of the ideal diameter (Di) of the partitioned section, wherein the equivalent diameter is defined as four times the cross sectional flow area enclosed by the vertical separating element divided by the perimeter formed by the vertical separating element, and the ideal diameter (Di) is the diameter of a circle which has the same cross sectional flow area as that cross sectional flow area which is enclosedby the vertical separating element.