Three-column system for the low-temperature fractionation of air

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6564581
  • Patent Number
    6,564,581
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, March 21, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 20, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
The process and the apparatus are used to obtain argon using a three-column system for the fractionation of air, which has a high-pressure column (11), a low-pressure column (13) and a medium-pressure column (12). A first charge air stream (10, 64) is introduced into the high-pressure column (11), where it is separated into a first oxygen-enriched liquid and a first nitrogen top gas. A first oxygen-enriched fraction (23, 24, 26) from the high-pressure column (11) is introduced into the medium-pressure column (12), where it is separated into a second oxygen-enriched liquid and a second nitrogen top gas. A second oxygen-enriched fraction (33, 35), from the high-pressure column and/or from the medium-pressure column (12), is introduced into the low-pressure column (13), where it is separated into a third oxygen-enriched liquid and a third nitrogen top gas. An argon-containing fraction (68) from the low-pressure column (13) is introduced into a crude argon column (70), where it is separated into a crude argon top fraction and an oxygen-rich liquid. At least a part (73) of the crude argon top fraction (71) is passed into a crude argon condenser (29), where it is at least partially condensed by indirect heat exchange with at least a part (27) of the second oxygen-enriched liquid from the medium-pressure column (12). Oxygen-enriched vapour (32) which is formed in the process is returned to the medium-pressure column (12). A fraction (72) from the upper region of the crude argon column (70) and/or a part of the crude argon top fraction downstream of the crude argon condenser is obtained as crude argon product.
Description




The invention relates to a process for the low-temperature fractionation of air using a three-column system. The three-column system has a high-pressure column, a low-pressure column and a medium-pressure column. The medium-pressure column is used to separate a first oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column, in particular in order to produce nitrogen, which in liquefied form is used a reflux in the low-pressure column or is extracted as product.




The fundamentals of the low-temperature fractionation of air in general are described by the monograph “Tieftemperaturtechnik” [cryogenics] by Hausen/Linde (2


nd


edition, 1985) and in an article by Latimer in Chemical Engineering Progress (Vol. 63, No. 2, 1967, page 35). In the three-column system, the high-pressure column and low pressure column preferably form a Linde double column, i.e. these two columns are connected so as to exchange heat via a main condenser. (However, in principle the invention can also be applied to other arrangements of high-pressure column and low-pressure column and/or other condenser configurations.) Unlike the conventional Linde two-column process, in the three-column process not all the oxygen-enriched liquid which is formed in the high-pressure column is introduced directly into the low-pressure column, but rather a first oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column flows into the medium-pressure column, where it is broken down further, specifically under a pressure which is between the operating pressures of high-pressure column and low-pressure column. Top vapour from the medium-pressure column is brought into indirect heat exchange with a cooling fluid and, in the process, is at least partially condensed. Liquid nitrogen which is produced in the process is used as additional reflux in the three-column system and/or obtained as liquid product. For example, it is known to use bottom liquid from the high-pressure column, bottom liquid from the medium-pressure column, an intermediate liquid from the medium-pressure column, bottom liquid from the low-pressure column or an intermediate liquid from the low-pressure column as cooling fluid for condensing top gas in the medium-pressure column. Three-column processes of this type are described, for example, in DE 1065867 B, DE 2903089 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,395 or EP 1043556 A.




In addition to the three abovementioned columns for nitrogen/oxygen separation, further separating devices may also be provided, for example a crude argon column for oxygen/argon separation, a pure argon column for argon/nitrogen separation and/or one or more columns for obtaining krypton and/or xenon, or also non-distillative separating or further cleaning devices. Three-column systems with an additional crude argon column are known, for example, from the abovementioned article by Latimer, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,989, EP 147460 A, EP 828123 A or EP 831284 A.




The invention is based on the object of providing a process and an apparatus for the low-temperature fractionation of air using the three-column system which is particularly economically favourable.




This object is achieved by the fact that at least one of the following two process streams is used as cooling fluid of the condensation of the second nitrogen top gas from the medium-pressure column:




a second, liquefied charge air stream, and/or




a liquid from an intermediate point of the high-pressure column.




In this way, the indirect heat exchange in the medium-pressure column condenser can be carried out particularly efficiently.




The first variant of the process according to the invention can be employed in particular for installations with considerable pre-liquefaction of air, i.e. with a high production of liquid and/or a high degree of internal compression. In the case of an internal compression process, at least one of the products (for example nitrogen from the high-pressure column and/or medium-pressure column, oxygen from the medium-pressure column and/or low-pressure column) is removed in liquid form from one of the columns of the three-column system or from a condenser which is connected to one of these columns, is brought to an elevated pressure in the liquid state, is evaporated or (in the case of supercritical pressure) pseudo-evaporated in indirect heat exchange with the second charge air stream and is ultimately obtained as gaseous pressurized product. The air which is liquefied in the process or during a subsequent expansion step is then used as cooling fluid. The evaporated second charge air stream is preferably introduced into the low-pressure column. The liquefied air required (the second charge air stream) may also be produced in liquid installations without internal compression, in an air cycle.




In this context, the terms “liquefied charge air” is understood as meaning a stream which has been formed directly by liquefaction of a part stream of the charge air and has not then been subjected to any concentration-changing measure. In particular, no phase separation is performed between liquefaction and introduction into the evaporation space of the medium-pressure column condenser.




The top condenser of the medium-pressure column is preferably designed as a falling-film evaporator. In the process, the cooling fluid is only partially evaporated. The resulting two-phase mixture is introduced into a phase-separation device, in which a fraction which is in vapour form and a proportion which has remained in liquid form are separated from one another. The use of a falling-film evaporator results in a particularly low temperature difference between the liquefaction space and the evaporation space. This property contributes to optimizing the pressure at which the medium-pressure column is operated.




The cooling fluid generally has to be expanded upstream of the indirect heat exchange. Within the context of the invention, this expansion step may be carried out so as to perform work. For this purpose, by way of example, the second charge air stream is introduced, in the liquid or supercritical state, into a liquid turbine, from which it emerges again in completely liquid or substantially completely liquid form.




In many cases, it is expedient to feed a second charge fraction to the medium-pressure column in addition to the first oxygen-enriched fraction which is formed, for example, by bottom liquid from the high-pressure column. For this purpose, an additional fraction, which has a different composition from the first oxygen-enriched fraction, is extracted from the high-pressure column and fed to the medium-pressure column. If an intermediate liquid from the high-pressure column is used as cooling fluid, a part can be branched off and fed to the medium-pressure column of a further charge fraction; the additional fraction and the cooling fluid are in this case extracted from the same intermediate point of the high-pressure column.




The process according to the invention can be carried out without argon being obtained. In the latter case, the medium-pressure column can be heated using any known method, for example by means of condensation of a gaseous nitrogen stream from the high-pressure column, of an intermediate fraction from the high-pressure column or a part stream of the charge air, or else by transferring sensible heat from an oxygen-enriched liquid of the high-pressure column. As an alternative, the bottom heating of the medium-pressure column can be operated with recompressed nitrogen, as explained in detail in an application (German Patent Application (10103957.3 and corresponding applications) which is not a prior publication.




However, the three-column system of the invention can be connected particularly effectively to an argon recovery as a result of a crude argon column, the top vapour from which is condensed in a crude argon condenser, being connected downstream of the three-column system. The crude argon condenser preferably serves at the same time as bottom heating of the medium-pressure column as a result of bottom liquid from the medium-pressure column being at least partially evaporated at that location and oxygen-enriched vapour which is formed in the process being returned to the medium-pressure column. The generation of liquid reflux for the crude argon column and the generation of rising vapour for the medium-pressure column is therefore carried out in a single heat-exchange operation. Therefore, a single condenser/evaporator is sufficient for both functions. This on the one hand leads to a relatively low outlay on equipment, and on the other hand means that the process is particularly favourable in terms of energy on account of the reduction in the exchange losses.




Preferably, the cooling fluid is at least partially evaporated in indirect heat exchange with the second nitrogen top gas from the medium-pressure column, and the fraction in vapour form which is formed in the process is introduced into the low-pressure column, in particular with the aid of a cold fan.




Above the feed for the first oxygen-enriched fraction, the medium-pressure column preferably has mass transfer elements covering at least seven theoretical plates. By way of example, the number of theoretical plates above the feed point is 7 to 50, preferably 16 to 22 theoretical plates. Beneath the feed for the first oxygen-enriched fraction, the medium-pressure column does not have any mass transfer elements, or has mass transfer elements amounting to 1 to 5 theoretical plates.




The invention also relates to an apparatus for obtaining argon.




The invention and further details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIGS. 1-7

are schematic flowsheets of embodiments of the invention.











In the system illustrated in

FIG. 1

, atmospheric air


1


is compressed in an air compressor


2


with recooling


3


. The compressed charge air


4


is fed to a cleaning device


5


which is formed, for example, by a pair of molecular sieve adsorbers. A first part


7


of the cleaned air


6


is cooled to approximately its dew point in a main heat exchanger


8


. The cooled first part


9


of the air is mixed with another gaseous air stream


67


. In the exemplary embodiment, the mixture forms the “first charge air stream”, which is fed via line


10


, without restriction, to the high-pressure column


11


of a three-column system. The three-column system also has a medium-pressure column


12


and a low-pressure column


13


.




In the example, the entire top product of the high-pressure column


11


(“first nitrogen top gas”) is passed via line


14


into a main condenser


15


, where is completely or substantially completely condensed. A first part


17


of liquid nitrogen


16


which is formed in the process is passed to the high-pressure column


11


as reflux. A second part


18


is cooled in a supercooling countercurrent heat exchanger


19


and is passed via line


20


, restrictor valve


21


and line


22


to the top of the low-pressure column


13


.




A first oxygen-enriched liquid, which is fed as “first oxygen-enriched fraction” into the medium-pressure column


12


via line


23


, supercooling countercurrent heat exchanger


19


, line


24


, restrictor valve


25


and line


26


, is produced in the bottom of the high-pressure column


11


. In the example, the medium-pressure column


12


does not have any mass transfer elements below the feed for the first oxygen-enriched fraction


26


; the mass transfer elements above the feed are formed by ordered packing which corresponds to a total of


22


theoretical plates.




The bottom product of the medium-pressure column (“second oxygen-enriched liquid”) is passed via line


27


and control valve


28


into the evaporation space of a crude argon condenser


29


, where it is partially evaporated. The two-phase mixture


30


formed in the process is introduced into a separator (phase separator)


31


. The proportion


32


which is in vapour form flows back as “oxygen-enriched vapour” into the medium-pressure column


12


, where it is used as rising vapour. The remaining liquid


33


is throttled (


34


) and fed to the low-pressure column


13


as oxygen-enriched charge


35


.




The second nitrogen top gas, which forms at the top of the medium-pressure column


12


, is in this example completely removed via line


36


and completely condensed in the liquefaction space of a medium-pressure column top condenser


37


. A first part


39


of liquid nitrogen


38


which is formed in the process is added to the medium-pressure column


12


as reflux. A second part


40


is passed via restrictor valve


41


and lines


42


-


22


to the top of the low-pressure column


13


and/or is obtained directly as liquid product (not shown).




Gaseous nitrogen


43


-


44


-


45


and impure nitrogen


46


-


47


-


48


are removed from the upper region of the low-pressure column


13


, heated in the supercooling countercurrent heat exchanger


19


and in the main heat exchanger


18


and extracted as product (GAN) or remainder gas (UN


2


).




A first part


50


-


52


of liquid nitrogen


49


from the bottom of the low-pressure column


13


is conveyed by means of a pump


51


into the evaporation space of the main condenser


15


, where it is partially evaporated. The two-phase mixture formed in the process is returned to the bottom of the low-pressure column


13


. The remainder


54


of the low-pressure column bottom liquid


49


is brought to the desired product pressure in an internal compression pump


55


, is fed to the main heat exchanger


8


via line


56


, is evaporated or pseudo-evaporated and heated in the main heat exchanger


8


and is finally removed via line


57


as gaseous pressurized product (GOX-IC). Any desired product pressure can be achieved by means of the internal compression. This pressure, may, for example, be between 3 and 120 bar.




The heat which is required for the (pseudo) evaporation of the internally compressed oxygen


56


is provided by a second part


62


of the charge air, which is branched off from the purified charge air


6


via line


58


, is brought to the high pressure required for this purpose in a recompressor


59


with recooler


60


, and is fed via line


61


to the main heat exchanger


8


. The second part


62


of the charge air is introduced at least in part as “second charge air stream”, via line


75


, supercooling countercurrent heat exchanger


19


, line


76


, restrictor valve


77


and line


78


, into the evaporation space of the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column, without previously having been subjected to phase separation or any other concentration-changing measure. It is partially evaporated in the medium-pressure column condenser


37


. The two-phase mixture


79


which is formed in the process is introduced into a separator (phase separator)


80


. The proportion


81


which is in vapour form flows into the low-pressure column


13


. The remaining liquid


82


is likewise fed (


84


), via a valve


83


, to the low-pressure column


13


. The feed point lies below the impure nitrogen tap


46


and above the feed


35


for the medium-pressure column bottom liquid.




The remainder of the cryogenic high-pressure air


62


is throttled (


63


) to high-pressure column pressure and is introduced into the high-pressure column


11


via line


64


. The feed point preferably lies a few theoretical plates above the bottom, at which the gaseous air


10


is introduced.




A part


65


of the purified charge air


6


is recompressed together with the second part


62


and is introduced (


58


-


59


-


60


-


61


) into the main heat exchanger


8


, but is then removed again at an intermediate temperature and fed to an expansion machine


66


, which in this example is in the form of a generator turbine. The third part


67


of the charge air, which has undergone work-performing expansion, is passed to the high-pressure column


11


together with the first part


9


as “first charge air stream”


10


.




The low-pressure column


13


is in communication with a crude argon column


70


via a gas line


68


and a liquid line


69


. An argon-containing fraction in gas form is introduced into the crude argon column via


68


, where it is separated into a crude argon top fraction and an oxygen-rich liquid in the bottom. In the present example, a first part


72


of the gaseous crude argon top fraction


71


is obtained as crude argon product (GAR). If appropriate, it can be purified further, for example in a pure argon column (not shown). The remainder


73


is completely or substantially completely liquefied in the crude argon condenser


29


and is added to the top of the crude argon column


70


as reflux via line


74


.




In the present example, all three condenser/evaporators


15


,


29


,


37


are designed as falling-film evaporators. However, within the context of the invention each may also be produced by a different type of evaporator, for example a forced circulation evaporator (thermosiphon evaporator). If, for example, the crude argon condenser is designed as a forced circulation evaporator, it may be arranged directly in the bottom of the medium-pressure column


12


. Therefore, in terms of apparatus, the crude argon column


70


and medium-pressure column


12


could also be arranged in the form of a double column and accommodated, for example, in a common vessel.




However, within the context of the invention it is generally more advantageous for a falling-film evaporator to be used at this very point and for its low temperature difference to be utilized in order to optimize the column pressures. If low-pressure column


13


, medium-pressure column


12


, crude argon condenser


29


and crude argon column


70


are arranged above one another, as illustrated in the drawing, it is even possible to dispense with the circulation pump (cf. pump


51


for the main condenser


15


) which is otherwise required for falling-film evaporators. Purely on account of the static pressure, the liquid flows via the lines


27


,


30


,


33


,


35


out of the medium-pressure column


12


, via crude argon condenser


29


, into the low-pressure column


13


. There is also no need for a pump on the liquefaction side.




The operating pressures of the columns (in each case at the top) are:





















High-pressure




for example 4 to 12 bar,







column 11




preferably approximately 6








bar







Medium-pressure




for example 1.2 to 2 bar,







column 12




preferably approximately








1.4 bar







Low-pressure column




for example 1.2 to 2 bar,







13




preferably approximately








1.6 bar















In the process shown in

FIG. 2

, the medium-pressure column


12


has fewer theoretical plates, for example


12


. The top product


37


and the liquid


38


,


39


,


40


formed in the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column therefore have a lower purity than the nitrogen from the high-pressure column or the main condenser, which is added at the top of the low-pressure column via line


222


. The liquid medium-pressure column nitrogen


242


, which has been restricted at


41


, is therefore introduced into the low-pressure column at in intermediate point, in the example illustrated approximately at the level at which the impure nitrogen is removed.




In

FIG. 3

, all the medium-pressure column nitrogen


40


which is not used as reflux


39


in the medium-pressure column


12


is extracted as liquid product (LIN) via line


342


. The number of plates in the medium-pressure column


12


can therefore be adapted to product requirements. Since there is no medium-pressure column nitrogen introduced into the low-pressure column, the product purity in the medium-pressure column can be set independently of the concentrations of the top fractions in high-pressure column


11


and low-pressure column


13


. Conversely, the products of the low-pressure column are not affected by any fluctuations in operation of the medium-pressure column.




On account of the temperature and pressure differences and the concentrations, the pressure on the evaporation side of the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column


12


may be lower than the operating pressure of the low-pressure column


13


. In this case, the condenser configuration shown in

FIG. 2

can nevertheless be used if the vapour


81


from the separator


80


is forced into the low-pressure column by means of a cold fan


485


, as illustrated in FIG.


4


.




The exemplary embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 5

represents another modification to the process shown in FIG.


1


. In this case, all the cryogenic high-pressure air is introduced into the high-pressure column via line


564


. The cooling fluid for the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column is formed by an intermediate liquid


575


of the high-pressure column, which is supplied via the supercooling countercurrent heat exchanger


19


, line


576


, restrictor valve


577


and line


578


. The guidance of the flow downstream of the evaporator space of the top condenser


37


(


579


to


584


) is the same as that shown in FIG.


1


. In the example, the intermediate liquid


575


is taken off slightly above the feed for the liquefied air


564


. There are preferably approximately 2 to 10 theoretical plates between the two tapping points. Alternatively, it may also be removed at the level of the liquefied-air feed or slightly below it.




In

FIG. 6

, the second charge air stream


676


, before being introduced


678


into the evaporation space of the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column, is expanded not via a restrictor valve (


77


in FIG.


1


), but rather in a liquid turbine


677


. The work performed in the process is converted into electrical energy, in the example illustrated by means of a generator. In the exemplary embodiment shown in

FIG. 6

, all the cryogenic high-pressure air


62


is passed into the liquid turbine


677


and on to the top condenser


37


. No liquefied air flows into the high-pressure column


11


.




Unlike in

FIG. 5

, in the process illustrated in

FIG. 7

, not all of the intermediate liquid


775


,


776


from the high-pressure column is passed via


777


-


778


into the evaporation space of the top condenser


37


of the medium-pressure column. Rather, a part


786


-


787


-


788


flows as “additional fraction” into the interior of the medium-pressure column


12


. The feed point for the further charge fraction


788


lies above the feed


26


for the high-pressure column bottom liquid. Alternatively, it is possible for all the intermediate liquid


775


,


776


to be introduced (


788


) into the medium-pressure column


12


. The cooling fluid for the medium-pressure column top condenser


37


is then formed by a different fluid, for example by liquefied charge air (cf. for example FIG.


1


), by high-pressure column bottom liquid, by liquid from a different intermediate point of the high-pressure column or by an oxygen-enriched liquid from medium-pressure column or low-pressure column.




As will be immediately apparent to the person skilled in the art, further combinations of the individual features outlined in the exemplary embodiments are possible within the context of the invention.




The exemplary embodiments may also be implemented without argon being obtained, by dispensing with the lines


68


and


69


and the crude argon column


70


. The condenser/evaporator


29


, which is used as bottom evaporator for the medium-pressure column


12


, is then heated using a different medium, for example using gaseous nitrogen from the high-pressure column


11


, which is branched off from line


14


, using a gaseous intermediate fraction from the high-pressure column


11


or using a part of the gaseous charge air in line


10


.




The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples. Also, the preceding specific embodiments are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.




The entire disclosure of all applications, patents and publications, cited above and below, and of corresponding German application 10113790.7, are hereby incorporated by reference.




From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.



Claims
  • 1. Process for the low-temperature fractionation of air using a three-column system, which has a high-pressure column (11), a low-pressure column (13) and a medium-pressure column (12), in which process(a) a first charge air stream (10, 64, 564) is introduced into the high-pressure column (11), where it is separated into a first oxygen-enriched liquid and a first nitrogen top gas, (b) a first oxygen-enriched fraction (23, 24, 26) from the high-pressure column (11) is introduced into the medium-pressure column (12) where it is separated into a second oxygen-enriched liquid and a second nitrogen top gas, (c) a second oxygen-enriched fraction (33, 35) from the high-pressure column and/or from the medium-pressure column (12) is introduced into the low-pressure column (13), where it is separated into a third oxygen-enriched liquid and a third nitrogen top gas, (d) a nitrogen product stream and/or an oxygen product stream is removed from the low-pressure column (13), (e) at least a portion (36) of the second nitrogen top gas from the medium-pressure column (12) is at least partially condensed by indirect heat exchange (37) with a cooling fluid (78, 578, 678, 778), characterized in that(f1) a second charge air stream (62, 75, 76, 676) is liquefied and is then used as cooling fluid (78) for the condensation of the second nitrogen top gas (36) from the medium-pressure column (12), and/or (f2) a liquid (575, 576, 775, 776) from an intermediate point of the high-pressure column (11) is used as cooling fluid (578, 778) for the condensation of the second nitrogen top gas (36) from the medium-pressure column (12).
  • 2. Process according to claim 1, in which the cooling fluid (78, 578, 678, 778) is only partially evaporated during the indirect heat exchange (37), and the resulting two-phase mixture (79, 579) is introduced into a phase-separation device (80, 580) in which a fraction (81, 581) which is in vapour form and a proportion (82, 582) which has remained in liquid form are separated from one another.
  • 3. A process according to claim 1, further comprising subjecting the cooling fluid (678) to work-performing expansion (677) upstream of the indirect heat exchange (37).
  • 4. A process according to claim 1, further comprising extracting from the high-pressure column (12), an additional fraction (786, 788), which has a different composition from the first oxygen-enriched fraction (26), (775, 776) and feeding said additional fraction to the medium-pressure column (12).
  • 5. Process according to claim 4, characterized in that the additional fraction (786, 788) and the cooling fluid (778) are extracted (775, 776) from the same intermediate point of the high-pressure column (11).
  • 6. A process according to claim 1, further comprising withdrawing argon-containing fraction (68) from the three-column system and introducing said argon-containing fraction into a crude argon column (70), where it is separated into a crude argon top fraction and an oxygen-rich liquid, and obtaining as crude argon product a fraction (72) from the upper region of the crude argon column (70) and/or a part of the crude argon top fraction downstream of the crude argon condenser.
  • 7. Process according to claim 6, characterized in that at least a part (73) of the crude argon top fraction (71) is passed into a crude argon condenser (29), where it is at least partially condensed by indirect heat exchange with at least a part (27) of the second oxygen-enriched liquid from the medium-pressure column (12), oxygen-enriched vapour (32) which is formed in particular in the crude argon condenser (29) being returned to the medium-pressure column (12).
  • 8. A process according to claim 1, wherein the cooling fluid (78, 578, 678, 778) is at least partially evaporated into a vapor fraction during the indirect heat exchange (37) with the second nitrogen top gas (36) from the medium-pressure column (12), and introducing the vapor fraction into the low-pressure column (13).
  • 9. Apparatus for the low-temperature fractionation of air, having a three-column system which has a high-pressure column (11), a low-pressure column (13) and a medium-pressure column (12), having(a) a first charge air line (10, 64, 564) for introducing a first charge air stream into the high-pressure column (11), (b) a first crude oxygen line (23, 24, 26) for introducing a first oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column (11) into the medium-pressure column (12), (c) a second crude oxygen line (33, 35) for introducing a second oxygen-enriched fraction from the high-pressure column and/or from the medium-pressure column (12) into the low-pressure column (13), (d) at least one product line for a nitrogen product stream and/or an oxygen product stream, and having (e) medium-pressure column condenser (37), the liquid fraction space of which is connected (36) to the upper region of the medium-pressure column (12), characterized in that the medium-pressure column condenser (37) has an evaporation space, which is connected to a feedline (78, 578, 678, 778) for a cooling fluid, the feedline being connected (76, 676, 575, 576, 775, 776)(f1) to a second charge air line (62, 75) for liquefied charge air, and/or (f2) to an intermediate point of the high-pressure column (11).
  • 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by a liquid turbine (677) which is arranged in the feedline (676, 678).
  • 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an additional charge line (775, 776, 786, 788) for introducing an additional fraction having a different composition from the first oxygen-enriched fraction (26), from the high-pressure column (12) into the medium-pressure column (12).
  • 12. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the feedline (775, 776, 778) for the medium-pressure column top condenser (37) and the additional charge line (775, 776, 786, 788) are at least partially formed by a common line (775, 776).
  • 13. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the medium-pressure column condenser is a falling-film evaporator.
  • 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a phase separator (80, 580), having a vapor space, said vapor space being connected (81, 581) to the low-pressure column (13) and in communication with the evaporation space of the medium-pressure column condenser (37).
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
101 13 790 Mar 2001 DE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to Applicants' concurrently filed application Ser. No. 10/102,013 entitled, “Obtaining Argon Using A Three-Column System For The Fractionation Of Air And A Crude Argon Column” based on German Application No. 10113791.5, filed Mar. 21, 2001.

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