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US20070186582A1 - Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus - Google Patents

Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070186582A1
US20070186582A1 US10/583,599 US58359904A US2007186582A1 US 20070186582 A1 US20070186582 A1 US 20070186582A1 US 58359904 A US58359904 A US 58359904A US 2007186582 A1 US2007186582 A1 US 2007186582A1
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air
unit
motor
column
speed
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US10/583,599
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Alain Guillard
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LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Individual
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Assigned to L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SURVEILLANCE POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE reassignment L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME A DIRECTOIRE ET CONSEIL DE SURVEILLANCE POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHOLLAT, JEAN-JACQUES, GUILLARD, ALAIN, LIBARRE, ALAIN, PONTONE, XAVIER
Publication of US20070186582A1 publication Critical patent/US20070186582A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04763—Start-up or control of the process; Details of the apparatus used
    • F25J3/04769—Operation, control and regulation of the process; Instrumentation within the process
    • F25J3/04812—Different modes, i.e. "runs" of operation
    • F25J3/04818—Start-up of the process
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04018—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of main feed air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04012—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling
    • F25J3/04024—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of warm gaseous streams; details of intake or interstage cooling of purified feed air, so-called boosted air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04048—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams
    • F25J3/04054—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit by compression of cold gaseous streams, e.g. intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste) streams of air
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
    • F25J3/04115—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers characterised by the type of prime driver, e.g. hot gas expander
    • F25J3/04133—Electrical motor as the prime mechanical driver
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04006—Providing pressurised feed air or process streams within or from the air fractionation unit
    • F25J3/04109—Arrangements of compressors and /or their drivers
    • F25J3/04139—Combination of different types of drivers mechanically coupled to the same compressor, possibly split on multiple compressor casings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04284—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams
    • F25J3/0429—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion using internal refrigeration by open-loop gas work expansion, e.g. of intermediate or oxygen enriched (waste-)streams of feed air, e.g. used as waste or product air or expanded into an auxiliary column
    • F25J3/04303—Lachmann expansion, i.e. expanded into oxygen producing or low pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04248—Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
    • F25J3/04375—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc.
    • F25J3/04381—Details relating to the work expansion, e.g. process parameter etc. using work extraction by mechanical coupling of compression and expansion so-called companders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/0446—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the heat generated by mixing two different phases
    • F25J3/04466—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air using the heat generated by mixing two different phases for producing oxygen as a mixing column overhead gas by mixing gaseous air feed and liquid oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04527—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general
    • F25J3/04551—Integration with an oxygen consuming unit, e.g. glass facility, waste incineration or oxygen based processes in general for the metal production
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J3/00—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
    • F25J3/02—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
    • F25J3/04—Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous or liquefied gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream for air
    • F25J3/04521—Coupling of the air fractionation unit to an air gas-consuming unit, so-called integrated processes
    • F25J3/04593—The air gas consuming unit is also fed by an air stream
    • F25J3/046—Completely integrated air feed compression, i.e. common MAC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2200/00—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification
    • F25J2200/04—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system
    • F25J2200/06—Processes or apparatus using separation by rectification in a dual pressure main column system in a classical double column flow-sheet, i.e. with thermal coupling by a main reboiler-condenser in the bottom of low pressure respectively top of high pressure column
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2230/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams
    • F25J2230/42—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure of gaseous process streams the fluid being nitrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25J—LIQUEFACTION, SOLIDIFICATION OR SEPARATION OF GASES OR GASEOUS OR LIQUEFIED GASEOUS MIXTURES BY PRESSURE AND COLD TREATMENT OR BY BRINGING THEM INTO THE SUPERCRITICAL STATE
    • F25J2235/00—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams
    • F25J2235/50—Processes or apparatus involving steps for increasing the pressure or for conveying of liquid process streams the fluid being oxygen

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an air separation unit, to an integrated air-separation/metal production installation and to a method of starting up such an air separation unit.
  • the pressure of the air gradually increases up to a pressure that allows the booster compressor for compressing the air intended for the air separation to start.
  • One subject of the invention is an air separation unit comprising a system of columns, means for feeding the unit at least partly with compressed air coming from at least one booster compressor, means for purifying and cooling the air, means for sending it to one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor having at least two nominal rotation speeds.
  • the variation in the frequency of the supply and/or of the load means that the motor having a nominal speed of x revolutions will turn in fact at about this speed within a range of ⁇ 5% at most.
  • Another subject of the invention is an integrated air-separation/metal-production installation comprising an air separation unit, a metal production unit, a main compressor that compresses air intended for the air separation unit and air intended for the metal production unit, the air separation unit being of the type defined above, means for sending air from the main compressor to the booster compressor and means for sending the gaseous product coming from the air separation unit to the metal production unit.
  • Another subject of the invention is a method of starting up an air-separation/metal-production installation comprising a system of columns, means for feeding a booster compressor with compressed air and means for sending air from the booster compressor to at least one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system in order to send it to the metal production unit, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor and in that, during a startup period of the metal production unit, the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
  • the rotation speed of the motor may be adjusted by various means:
  • FIG. 1 shows a metal treatment unit, in this example a blast furnace BF, and an air distillation unit comprising an exchange line EL, a double column DC and a mixing column MC, the blast furnace and the air distillation unit both being fed with air by a blower C that typically produces more than 100 000 Sm 3 /h of air at a pressure of at least 6 bar, typically between 3 and 5.5 bar.
  • the blower C may feed other units.
  • the air intended for the blast furnace BF is heated and sent to the blast furnace after having been mixed with a stream of oxygen O coming from the air separation unit.
  • the air distillation unit shown in FIG. 1 is intended to produce low-purity oxygen in a first operation, for example with a purity of 80 to 97% and preferably 85 to 95% at a specified pressure P different from 7 bar, for example at 2 to 6 bar, or else at a pressure above 7 bar by at least 2 bar and possibly up to 14 bar, preferably between 9 and 14 bar.
  • the double distillation column DC itself comprises a medium-pressure column MPC, a low-pressure column LPC and a main reboiler/condenser.
  • the columns MPC and LPC typically operate at about 6 bar and about 1.2 bar, respectively.
  • a mixing column is a column that has the same structure as a distillation column but is used for mixing, in a manner close to reversibility, a relatively volatile gas introduced at the bottom of the column with a less volatile liquid introduced at the top of the column.
  • Such mixing generates refrigeration energy and therefore makes it possible to reduce the consumption of energy associated with the distillation.
  • this mixing is also profitably used for direct production of impure oxygen at the pressure P, as will be explained below.
  • the air intended for the distillation is cooled by a cooler CL and purified by a purification unit PU. Next, it is divided into two streams.
  • the stream L is boosted in a booster compressor C 2 up to a pressure of 6 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and then cooled in the exchange line EL and introduced into the bottom of the mixing column MC.
  • the other stream J is sent to the exchange line EL, partially cooled and divided into two. One portion is sent to the medium-pressure column MPC after being cooled right to the cold end of the exchange line and the other portion is expanded to the low pressure in a turbine T and then injected into the low-pressure column LPC at an intermediate point.
  • the booster compressor C 2 is driven by a variable-speed motor M with at least two nominal speeds.
  • This motor may be of the Dahlander type with two or three speeds, as described in Memotech Electrotechnique de Bourgeois et Cogniel, published by Educalivre, page 295.
  • the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
  • the booster compressor may also be driven by a turbine, such as a steam turbine.
  • “Rich liquid” oxygen-enriched air
  • “Lean liquid” pure nitrogen withdrawn at an intermediate point from the column MPC, is, after being expanded in an expansion valve, introduced into the top of the column LPC.
  • Nitrogen N constituting the waste gas of the unit, and possibly pure gaseous nitrogen at the medium pressure produced at the top of the column MPC are warmed in the exchange line EL and discharged from the unit.
  • Liquid oxygen the purity of which depends on the setting of the double column DC, is withdrawn from the bottom of the column LPC, brought by a pump W to a pressure P 1 slightly above the aforementioned pressure P, in order to take into account the pressure drops (P 1 ⁇ P, for example less than 1 ⁇ 10 5 Pa), and introduced into the top of the column MC.
  • P 1 is therefore advantageously between 4-6 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 30 ⁇ 10 5 Pa, preferably between 8 ⁇ 10 5 Pa and 16 ⁇ 10 5 Pa.
  • FIG. 1 also shows auxiliary heat exchangers for recovering the refrigeration available in the fluids circulating in the unit.
  • all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C 1 driven by a variable-speed motor M.
  • the boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU, cooled and divided into two portions.
  • One portion of the air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column MC in a booster compressor c coupled to the blowing turbine T which is fed by one portion of the rest of the air.
  • FIG. 3 as in FIG. 2 , all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C 1 driven by a variable-speed motor M.
  • the boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU and a portion L of the purified air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column in a second booster compressor C 2 also coupled to a motor M′, possibly a variable-speed motor.
  • This air is cooled in the exchange line EL and sent to the mixing column MC.
  • the remainder J of the air coming from the purification unit is partially cooled and divided into two portions. One portion of the air is sent to a turbine T and then to the low-pressure column LPC.
  • the remainder of the air continues to be cooled in the exchange line EL and is sent in gaseous form to the medium-pressure column.
  • the turbine T is driven by a low-pressure nitrogen compressor c.
  • the double column may be fed by means of the blower, while the mixing column is fed by means of a dedicated compressor, or otherwise.
  • the booster compressor may be used to feed the mixing column and/or the mixing column.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an air-separation apparatus comprising a system of columns (DC, CM), means for supplying the apparatus at least partially with compressed air from at least one supercharger (C2), air-scrubbing and -cooling means (E, LE), means for conveying the air to a column (CM) in the system of columns, and means for drawing off a gaseous product (O) from a column in said system, the aforementioned supercharger being driven by a motor (M) having a variable rotation speed and at least two nominal speeds.

Description

  • The present invention relates to an air separation unit, to an integrated air-separation/metal production installation and to a method of starting up such an air separation unit.
  • As described in the article “Optimized Steel Production with Oxygen for Blast Furnaces at ILVA, Taranto Works, Italy” by Capogrosso et al., Steel Times International, February-March 2003, it is known to feed an air separation unit at least partly with compressed air from the blower of a blast furnace. The oxygen produced by the unit is then mixed with the rest of the air coming from the blower, heated and sent to the blast furnace.
  • It is frequently necessary for a portion of the air coming from the blower and intended for the air separation unit to be boosted.
  • The article explains that the air may come from a compressed-air main fed by several blowers.
  • Suitable air separation units for feeding a blast furnace are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,489, U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,040, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,482 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,932.
  • To start up the blast furnace, it is firstly necessary to turn the blower on. The pressure of the air gradually increases up to a pressure that allows the booster compressor for compressing the air intended for the air separation to start.
  • It is obviously important to be able to start up this booster compressor rapidly so as to deliver oxygen to the consumer as quickly as possible, so that the blast furnace can operate normally.
  • It is an object of the present invention to reduce the minimum air pressure at which the booster compressor can start to operate.
  • One subject of the invention is an air separation unit comprising a system of columns, means for feeding the unit at least partly with compressed air coming from at least one booster compressor, means for purifying and cooling the air, means for sending it to one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor having at least two nominal rotation speeds.
  • The variation in the frequency of the supply and/or of the load means that the motor having a nominal speed of x revolutions will turn in fact at about this speed within a range of ±5% at most.
      • The unit includes means for supplying the motor with a variable-frequency AC current;
      • The unit includes a multi-speed motor;
      • The motor is of the type having a single primary winding, in particular a Dahlander winding, or of the type having several primary windings.
  • Another subject of the invention is an integrated air-separation/metal-production installation comprising an air separation unit, a metal production unit, a main compressor that compresses air intended for the air separation unit and air intended for the metal production unit, the air separation unit being of the type defined above, means for sending air from the main compressor to the booster compressor and means for sending the gaseous product coming from the air separation unit to the metal production unit.
  • Another subject of the invention is a method of starting up an air-separation/metal-production installation comprising a system of columns, means for feeding a booster compressor with compressed air and means for sending air from the booster compressor to at least one column of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product from one column of the column system in order to send it to the metal production unit, characterized in that the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor and in that, during a startup period of the metal production unit, the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
  • According to other optional aspects:
      • the motor turns at one of the two speeds, the motor turning at a first speed during startup of the metal production unit and at a second speed during steady operation of the unit, the first speed being higher than the second speed;
      • the motor is supplied with AC current at a higher frequency during startup of the metal production unit than the frequency of the current during steady operation of the unit;
      • the motor is supplied with a variable-frequency current; and
      • the motor comprises several windings differently coupled depending on the operation of the unit.
  • Yet another subject of the invention is a method of the above mentioned type, in which an air separation unit and a metal production unit are fed with air from a main compressor and the metal production unit is fed with a gaseous product from the air separation unit, in which method the main compressor that feeds the two units is started first and then the air separation unit according to the above mentioned startup method is started.
  • The rotation speed of the motor may be adjusted by various means:
      • it is possible to change the number of pairs of poles on machines having a single primary winding (with Dahlander-type winding coupling) or machines having several primary windings;
      • it is possible to change the frequency of the stator supply voltage using electromechanical frequency converters or static converters; and
      • it is possible to change the slip, by varying the status supply voltage using a slip rheostat to the rotor or using a recovery cascade.
  • All the pressures mentioned are absolute pressures.
  • The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, which are diagrams showing the principle of an air separation unit according to the invention integrated with a blast furnace.
  • FIG. 1 shows a metal treatment unit, in this example a blast furnace BF, and an air distillation unit comprising an exchange line EL, a double column DC and a mixing column MC, the blast furnace and the air distillation unit both being fed with air by a blower C that typically produces more than 100 000 Sm3/h of air at a pressure of at least 6 bar, typically between 3 and 5.5 bar. The blower C may feed other units. The air intended for the blast furnace BF is heated and sent to the blast furnace after having been mixed with a stream of oxygen O coming from the air separation unit.
  • The air distillation unit shown in FIG. 1 is intended to produce low-purity oxygen in a first operation, for example with a purity of 80 to 97% and preferably 85 to 95% at a specified pressure P different from 7 bar, for example at 2 to 6 bar, or else at a pressure above 7 bar by at least 2 bar and possibly up to 14 bar, preferably between 9 and 14 bar. The double distillation column DC itself comprises a medium-pressure column MPC, a low-pressure column LPC and a main reboiler/condenser. The columns MPC and LPC typically operate at about 6 bar and about 1.2 bar, respectively.
  • As explained in detail in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,030, a mixing column is a column that has the same structure as a distillation column but is used for mixing, in a manner close to reversibility, a relatively volatile gas introduced at the bottom of the column with a less volatile liquid introduced at the top of the column.
  • Such mixing generates refrigeration energy and therefore makes it possible to reduce the consumption of energy associated with the distillation. In the present case, this mixing is also profitably used for direct production of impure oxygen at the pressure P, as will be explained below.
  • The air intended for the distillation is cooled by a cooler CL and purified by a purification unit PU. Next, it is divided into two streams. The stream L is boosted in a booster compressor C2 up to a pressure of 6×105 Pa and then cooled in the exchange line EL and introduced into the bottom of the mixing column MC.
  • The other stream J is sent to the exchange line EL, partially cooled and divided into two. One portion is sent to the medium-pressure column MPC after being cooled right to the cold end of the exchange line and the other portion is expanded to the low pressure in a turbine T and then injected into the low-pressure column LPC at an intermediate point.
  • The booster compressor C2 is driven by a variable-speed motor M with at least two nominal speeds. This motor may be of the Dahlander type with two or three speeds, as described in Memotech Electrotechnique de Bourgeois et Cogniel, published by Educalivre, page 295. During a startup period of the metal production unit, the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit. Optionally, the booster compressor may also be driven by a turbine, such as a steam turbine.
  • “Rich liquid” (oxygen-enriched air), withdrawn from the bottom of the column MPC, is, after being expanded in an expansion valve, introduced into the column LPC close to the point of injection of the air. “Lean liquid” (impure nitrogen) withdrawn at an intermediate point from the column MPC, is, after being expanded in an expansion valve, introduced into the top of the column LPC. Nitrogen N constituting the waste gas of the unit, and possibly pure gaseous nitrogen at the medium pressure produced at the top of the column MPC are warmed in the exchange line EL and discharged from the unit.
  • Liquid oxygen, the purity of which depends on the setting of the double column DC, is withdrawn from the bottom of the column LPC, brought by a pump W to a pressure P1 slightly above the aforementioned pressure P, in order to take into account the pressure drops (P1−P, for example less than 1×105 Pa), and introduced into the top of the column MC. P1 is therefore advantageously between 4-6×105 Pa and 30×105 Pa, preferably between 8×105 Pa and 16×105 Pa. Withdrawn from the mixing column MC are the following three fluid streams: at the base of the column, liquid close to the rich liquid and combined with the latter via a line provided with an expansion valve; at an intermediate point, a mixture essentially composed of oxygen and nitrogen, which is sent at an intermediate point of the low-pressure column LPC via a line provided with an expansion valve; and at the top of the column, impure oxygen which, after being warmed in the heat exchange line, is discharged, at approximately the pressure P, from the unit via a line as production gas O.
  • FIG. 1 also shows auxiliary heat exchangers for recovering the refrigeration available in the fluids circulating in the unit.
  • In the example shown in FIG. 2, all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C1 driven by a variable-speed motor M. The boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU, cooled and divided into two portions. One portion of the air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column MC in a booster compressor c coupled to the blowing turbine T which is fed by one portion of the rest of the air.
  • The other components of the figure are identical to those of FIG. 1.
  • In FIG. 3, as in FIG. 2, all the air intended for distillation is compressed in a booster compressor C1 driven by a variable-speed motor M. The boosted air is then purified in a purification unit PU and a portion L of the purified air is boosted to the pressure of the mixing column in a second booster compressor C2 also coupled to a motor M′, possibly a variable-speed motor. This air is cooled in the exchange line EL and sent to the mixing column MC. The remainder J of the air coming from the purification unit is partially cooled and divided into two portions. One portion of the air is sent to a turbine T and then to the low-pressure column LPC. The remainder of the air continues to be cooled in the exchange line EL and is sent in gaseous form to the medium-pressure column.
  • The turbine T is driven by a low-pressure nitrogen compressor c.
  • It is also conceivable for the double column to be fed by means of the blower, while the mixing column is fed by means of a dedicated compressor, or otherwise.
  • The booster compressor may be used to feed the mixing column and/or the mixing column.

Claims (11)

1-10. (canceled)
11. An air separation unit comprising a system of columns (MPC, LPC, MC), means for feeding the unit at least partly with compressed air coming from at least one booster compressor (C1, C2), means (PU, EL) for purifying and cooling the air, means for sending it to one column (MC, MPC) of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product (O) from one column of the column system, wherein the booster compressor is driven by a variable-speed motor (M, M′) having at least two nominal rotation speeds and wherein it includes means for supplying the motor with a variable-frequency AC current.
12. The unit of claim 11, which includes a multi-speed motor (M, M′).
13. The unit of claim 11, in which the motor (M, M′) is of the type having a single primary winding, in particular a Dahlander winding, or of the type having several primary windings.
14. An integrated air-separation/metal-production installation comprising an air separation unit, a metal production unit (BF), a main compressor (C) that compresses air intended for the air separation unit and air intended for the metal production unit, the air separation unit of claim 11, means for sending air from the main compressor to the booster compressor (C1, C2) and means for sending the gaseous product (O) coming from the air separation unit to the metal production unit.
15. A method of starting up an air-separation/metal-production installation comprising a system of columns, means for feeding a booster compressor (C1, C2) with compressed air and means for sending air from the booster compressor to at least one column (MPC, MC) of the column system and means for withdrawing a gaseous product (O) from one column of the column system in order to send it to the metal production unit, the booster compressor being driven by a variable-speed motor (M, M′), wherein, during a startup period of the metal production unit, the speed of the motor is higher than the speed of the motor during steady operation of the unit.
16. The method of claim 15, in which the motor (M, M′) turns at one of the two speeds, the motor turning at a first speed during startup of the metal production unit (BF) and at a second speed during steady operation of the unit, the first speed being higher than the second speed.
17. The method of claim 16 in which the motor is supplied with AC current at a higher frequency during startup of the metal production unit (BF) than the frequency of the current during steady operation of the unit.
18. The method of claim 17, in which the frequency of the current is variable.
19. The method of claim 17, in which the motor (M, M′) comprises several windings differently coupled depending on the operation of the unit.
20. The method of claim 15, in which an air separation unit and a metal production unit (BF) are fed with air from a main compressor (C) and the metal production unit is fed with a gaseous product (O) from the air separation unit, in which method the main compressor (C) that feeds the two units is started first and then the air separation unit of claim 16 is started.
US10/583,599 2003-12-22 2004-12-16 Air-seperation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus, and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus Abandoned US20070186582A1 (en)

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FR0351157 2003-12-22
FR0351157A FR2864214B1 (en) 2003-12-22 2003-12-22 AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS, INTEGRATED AIR SEPARATION AND METAL PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STARTING SUCH AIR SEPARATION APPARATUS
PCT/FR2004/050702 WO2005064251A1 (en) 2003-12-22 2004-12-16 Air-separation apparatus, integrated air-separation and metal-production apparatus and method of starting one such air-separation apparatus

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US20160053764A1 (en) * 2012-10-03 2016-02-25 Ahmed F. Abdelwahab Method for controlling the compression of an incoming feed air stream to a cryogenic air separation plant
US10385861B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-08-20 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10443603B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-10-15 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10978967B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2021-04-13 KSB SE & Co. KGaA PM line-start motor and switch-on method therefor
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US8863534B2 (en) 2009-02-05 2014-10-21 Carrier Corporation Direct drive system with booster compressor
US20130086940A1 (en) * 2010-06-18 2013-04-11 L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pout l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude Air separation plant and process operating by cryogenic distillation
US9534836B2 (en) * 2010-06-18 2017-01-03 L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Air separation plant and process operating by cryogenic distillation
US20160053764A1 (en) * 2012-10-03 2016-02-25 Ahmed F. Abdelwahab Method for controlling the compression of an incoming feed air stream to a cryogenic air separation plant
US10385861B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-08-20 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
US10443603B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2019-10-15 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
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US10533564B2 (en) 2012-10-03 2020-01-14 Praxair Technology, Inc. Method for compressing an incoming feed air stream in a cryogenic air separation plant
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US10978967B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2021-04-13 KSB SE & Co. KGaA PM line-start motor and switch-on method therefor
US20220196325A1 (en) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L?Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method and apparatus for improving start-up for an air separation apparatus

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JP2007515617A (en) 2007-06-14
RU2006126668A (en) 2008-01-27
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CN100473929C (en) 2009-04-01
FR2864214B1 (en) 2017-04-21

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