US5078766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Equipment for air distillation to produce argon
Assignee: LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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Filing: 1990-07-16
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-07-16
Abstract
Abstract The column for the production of impure argon (2) is surmounted by an auxiliary column section (9) which is cooled to produce reflux by vaporizing poor liquid withdrawn from the head portion of the mean pressure column (3) and expanded. Application to the addition of an argon side column to an air distillation double column.
Inventors
- 👤 Odile Guilleminot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:22
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/04; F25J3/04763; F25J3/04866; F25J3/04969; F25J3/04406; F25J3/04412; F25J3/04642; F25J3/04648; F25J3/04654; F25J3/04666; F25J3/04672; F25J3/0469; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/923; Y10S62/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for air separation by rectification, comprising: a first column having a top portion and a bottom portion, a second column having a top portion and a bottom portion, and an argon column having a bottom portion in fluid exchange relationship with the second column, the first column having feed means for introducing into said first column air to be separated, first outlet means for withdrawing a first liquid which is enriched in oxygen and second outlet means for withdrawing a second liquid which is less rich in oxygen than the first liquid; the argon column having a main section, a first head condenser in heat exchange relation with the main section and supplied with said first liquid, and a second head condenser supplied with said second liquid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for air separation by rectification, comprising: a first column having a top portion and a bottom portion, a second column having a top portion and a bottom portion, and an argon column having a bottom portion in fluid exchange relationship with the second column, the first column having feed means for introducing into said first column air to be separated, first outlet means for withdrawing a first liquid which is enriched in oxygen and second outlet means for withdrawing a second liquid which is less rich in oxygen than the first liquid; the argon column having a main section, a first head condenser in heat exchange relation with the main section and supplied with said first liquid, and a second head condenser supplied with said second liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second head condenser is in heat exchange relation with an upper column section of the argon column which is above said main section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the upper column section has a diameter less than the main section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second outlet means are provided at the top portion of the first column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second head condenser has outlet means connected via a duct to inlet means at the top portion of the second column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 5, comprising a second duct means between said second outlet means and the second head condenser, the second duct means including at least one second expansion means for expanding the second liquid supplied to the second head condenser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a branch line between the second duct means and the top portion of the second column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, comprising first duct means between said first outlet means and the first head condenser, the first duct means including a first expansion means for expanding the first liquid supplied to the first head condenser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet means are provided at the bottom of the bottom portion of the first column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second head condensers are both located within said argon column and said second head condenser is spaced above said first head condenser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10, there being means defining theoretical distillation plates between said first and second head condensers and below said first head condenser within said argon column.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |