US5437161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and installation for the production of oxygen and/or nitrogen under pressure at variable flow rate
Assignee: LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
•
Filing: 1994-06-06
•
Granted: 1995-08-01
•
Expires: 2014-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A process and an installation for the production of a variable flow rate of at least,one principal constituent of air under pressure, wherein a constituent is withdrawn in liquid phase from an air distillation apparatus (12), this liquid is brought to a vaporization pressure, and the liquid is vaporized under this vaporization pressure by heat exchange (in 9) with a calorific fluid under high pressure. The flow rate of the constituent is adjusted by modifying the flow rate of the liquid to be vaporized and the vaporization pressure. The vaporization pressure is intermediate the withdrawal pressure and the production pressure. The gas resulting from the vaporization is compressed in a compressor (20) to the production pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Denis Chretien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:54
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/04; F25J3/04006; F25J3/04078; F25J3/04103; F25J3/0409; F25J3/04248; F25J3/04284; F25J3/0429; F25J3/04303; F25J3/04406; F25J3/04412; F25J3/04763; F25J3/04769; F25J3/04781; F25J3/04812; F25J3/04836; F25J2230/00; F25J2230/50; F25J2245/00; F25J2245/50; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a process for the production of a variable flow rate of at least one principal constituent of air under pressure, wherein a said constituent is withdrawn in liquid phase from an air distillation apparatus, this liquid is brought to a vaporization pressure, and the liquid is vaporized under this vaporization pressure by heat exchange with a calorigenic fluid under high pressure; the improvement comprising adjusting the flow rate of said constituent by modifying the flow rate of the liquid to be vaporized and said vaporization pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a process for the production of a variable flow rate of at least one principal constituent of air under pressure, wherein a said constituent is withdrawn in liquid phase from an air distillation apparatus, this liquid is brought to a vaporization pressure, and the liquid is vaporized under this vaporization pressure by heat exchange with a calorigenic fluid under high pressure; the improvement comprising adjusting the flow rate of said constituent by modifying the flow rate of the liquid to be vaporized and said vaporization pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein said vaporization pressure is intermediate the withdrawal pressure and a production pressure, and wherein the gas resulting from said vaporization is compressed in a compressor to the production pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Process according to claim 2, wherein said modification is effected such as to permit said compressor to follow its characteristic curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein, to effect said modification, the liquid to be vaporized is throttled in a variable manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein, to effect said modification, the liquid sent to the vaporization heat exchanger is pumped at variable speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein, to effect said modification, a constant flow rate of the liquid is pumped, and a variable flow rate is returned to the distillation apparatus, the rest of the liquid being vaporized.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
In an installation for the production of a variable flow rate of at least one principal constituent of air under pressure, comprising an air distillation apparatus, means to withdraw a liquid from said apparatus, means to bring the withdrawn liquid to a vaporization pressure, a calorific fluid compressor, and a heat exchanger to vaporize the liquid under said vaporization pressure by heat exchange with the calorific fluid under high pressure; the improvement comprising means for adjusting the flow rate of the liquid to be vaporized and for regulating said vaporization pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
In an installation for the production of a variable flow rate of at least one principal constituent of air under pressure, comprising an air distillation apparatus, means to withdraw a liquid from said apparatus, means to bring the withdrawn liquid to a vaporization pressure, a calorific fluid compressor, and a heat exchanger to vaporize the liquid under said vaporization pressure by heat exchange with the calorific fluid under high pressure; the improvement comprising means for adjusting the flow rate of the liquid to be vaporized and for regulating said vaporization pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Installation according to claim 7, which further comprises a compressor to bring the resulting gas from said vaporization to the production pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Installation according to claim 8, wherein said compressor is free from variable blades at its inlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Installation according to claim 8, wherein said compressor is driven by a constant speed motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Installation according to claim 7, which further comprises a pump of constant speed connected upstream to the distillation apparatus and downstream to the heat exchange passages for vaporization of the liquid, and wherein the adjustment means comprise a throttle valve mounted in the output conduit of said pump.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Installation according to claim 7, which further comprises a pump driven by a variable speed motor, connected upstream of the distillation apparatus and downstream of said vaporization passages for the liquid in the heat exchanger.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
Installation according to claim 10, which further comprises a return conduit, provided with a flow rate adjustment valve, connecting the output of the pump to the distillation apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
Installation according to claim 11, which further comprises a return conduit, provided with a flow rate adjustment valve, connecting the output of the pump to the distillation apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3056268A
Cited
US3214925A
Cited
US3485053A
Cited
US3760596A
Cited
US3648471A
Cited
US3912476A
Cited
US4303428A
Cited
EP0029656A1
Cited
US4732595A
Cited
US4853013A
Cited
US5084081A
Cited
US5082482A
Cited
US5129932A
Cited
US5081845A
Cited
US5329776A
Cited
US5251449A
Cited
US5337571A
Cited
US5341647A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-31 | 1999-01-30 | 1999-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-31 | 2003-01-30 | 2003-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-31 | 2007-01-30 | 2007-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |