CRYOGENIC AIR SEPARATING SYSTEM WITH HYBRID TYPE ARGON COLUMN

摘要

PURPOSE: To develop a cryogenic separation system for a material containing oxygen, nitrogen and argon in which an argon column is operated at a lower pressure and fluid can flow back to main column system without need for pressurization. CONSTITUTION: Air 9 is fed to main column systems 10, 13 and separated through counterflow gas-liquid contact into nitrogen rich component 22 and oxygen rich component 19. Fluid 26 containing argon and oxygen from the main column system is passed through an argon column 27 and separated through counterflow gas-liquid contact argon rich component 28 and oxygen rich component 33. The argon column is provided with a tray 45 at the lower part and a filler 46 at the upper part. The tray serves as means for reducing the pressure at the inlet of the argon column so that the argon column can be operated at a lower average pressure level.