High efficiency nitrogen generator

摘要

A process and apparatus is disclosed for highly efficient generation of nitrogen product in a single column arrangement. Oxygen-enriched liquid from a distillation column is partially vaporized to form a liquid and a vapor phase. The liquid is vaporized in a second reboiler/condenser and thereafter the vapor expanded to provide process refrigeration. The vapor portion having higher nitrogen content is compressed and returned to the distillation column for higher overall nitrogen recovery.