US5557951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process and apparatus for recovery and purification of argon from a cryogenic air separation unit
Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-24
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Granted: 1996-09-24
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Expires: 2015-03-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing high purity product grade argon from an argon-containing stream using a cryogenic argon column in combination with a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Ravi Prasad
- 👤 Dante P. Bonaquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:43
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/04; F25J3/04642; F25J3/04648; F25J3/04721; F25J3/04733; C; C01; C01B; C01B23/00; C01B23/001; C01B23/0036; C01B23/0042; F25J3/04654; F25J3/04666; F25J3/04672; F25J3/04678; F25J3/04739; F25J2200/00; F25J2200/90; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/02; F25J2205/80; F25J2205/86; F25J2235/00; F25J2235/58; F25J2290/00; F25J2290/10; F25J2290/62; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/923; Y10S62/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for purifying and recovering product grade argon from an argon-containing stream, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing an argon-containing stream to a packed argon column having a reflux means and from 78 to 140 equilibrium stages; (b) withdrawing a purge stream from the argon column, withdrawing an argon-enriched liquid from the argon column below where the purge stream is withdrawn from the argon column, vaporizing the argon-enriched liquid to produce argon-enriched vapor and contacting the argon-enriched vapor with a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane; and (c) recovering product grade argon from step (b) having an oxygen concentration below about 10 ppm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for purifying and recovering product grade argon from an argon-containing stream, said method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing an argon-containing stream to a packed argon column having a reflux means and from 78 to 140 equilibrium stages; (b) withdrawing a purge stream from the argon column, withdrawing an argon-enriched liquid from the argon column below where the purge stream is withdrawn from the argon column, vaporizing the argon-enriched liquid to produce argon-enriched vapor and contacting the argon-enriched vapor with a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane; and (c) recovering product grade argon from step (b) having an oxygen concentration below about 10 ppm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the argon-containing stream introduced to the argon column contains about 5 to about 25% argon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the argon column has about 110 to 140 equilibrium stages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the argon-enriched liquid contains argon in a concentration of at least about 98%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane is a mixed conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane is an ionic conductor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the packing comprises structured packing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the argon-enriched liquid is increased in pressure prior to vaporization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the argon-enriched liquid is vaporized by heat exchange with air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the argon-enriched vapor is warmed to a temperature within the range of from 400° C. to 1200° C. prior to the contacting with the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for purifying and recovering product grade argon from an argon-containing stream comprising: (a) a source of an argon-containing stream; (b) an argon column to which an argon-containing stream is fed comprising packing therein and a reflux means, said argon column capable of operating at about 78 to about 140 equilibrium stages and having means for withdrawing a purge stream from the argon column and, below said purge stream withdrawal means, means for withdrawing argon-enriched liquid from the argon column; (c) a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane; (d) means for vaporizing the argon-enriched liquid to produce argon-enriched vapor and means for contacting said argon-enriched vapor with said solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane to remove oxygen from said stream; and (e) means for recovering product grade argon with an oxygen concentration below about 10 ppm from said solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for purifying and recovering product grade argon from an argon-containing stream comprising: (a) a source of an argon-containing stream; (b) an argon column to which an argon-containing stream is fed comprising packing therein and a reflux means, said argon column capable of operating at about 78 to about 140 equilibrium stages and having means for withdrawing a purge stream from the argon column and, below said purge stream withdrawal means, means for withdrawing argon-enriched liquid from the argon column; (c) a solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane; (d) means for vaporizing the argon-enriched liquid to produce argon-enriched vapor and means for contacting said argon-enriched vapor with said solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane to remove oxygen from said stream; and (e) means for recovering product grade argon with an oxygen concentration below about 10 ppm from said solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising heat exchange means between the argon column and the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a pump between the argon column and the means for vaporizing the argon-enriched liquid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a liquid tank between the argon column and the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane is a mixed conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the solid electrolyte ionic or mixed conductor membrane is an ionic conductor.
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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) | 1999-09-24 | 2000-03-25 | 2000-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-24 | 2004-03-25 | 2004-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-24 | 2008-03-25 | 2008-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |