公开(公告)号：US20230221069A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-13

申请号：US18180211

申请日：2023-03-08

Applicant: Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Jeremy M. Cabral ,  James R. Handley

Inventor： Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Jeremy M. Cabral ,  James R. Handley

IPC: F25J3/04

CPC classification number: F25J3/04357 ,  F25J3/04181 ,  F25J3/04212 ,  F25J3/0409 ,  F25J3/04412 ,  F25J3/04672 ,  F25J3/04393 ,  F25J3/04496 ,  F25J3/04084 ,  F25J3/04096 ,  F25J2245/42 ,  F25J2235/42 ,  F25J2210/42 ,  F25J2205/60 ,  F25J2245/50 ,  F25J2200/34 ,  F25J2230/52

Abstract: A nitrogen liquefier configured to be integrated with an argon and nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation unit and method of nitrogen liquefaction are provided. The integrated nitrogen liquefier and associated methods may be operated in at least three distinct modes including: (i) a nil liquid nitrogen mode; (ii) a low liquid nitrogen mode; and (iii) a high liquid nitrogen mode. The present systems and methods are further characterized in an oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column of the air separation unit is an oxygen enriched condensing medium used in the argon condenser.

公开(公告)号：US10969168B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-06

申请号：US16742965

申请日：2020-01-15

Applicant: Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser

Inventor： Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser

IPC: F25J3/02 ,  F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

公开(公告)号：US20190331417A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-31

申请号：US15962245

申请日：2018-04-25

Applicant: Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser

Inventor： Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

公开(公告)号：US20210356205A1

公开(公告)日：2021-11-18

申请号：US17229923

申请日：2021-04-14

Applicant: Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  James R. Handley ,  Zhengrong Xu ,  Henry E. Howard

Inventor： Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  James R. Handley ,  Zhengrong Xu ,  Henry E. Howard

IPC: F25J3/04 ,  F25J3/02

Abstract: Enhancements to the distillation column system and cycles for an argon and nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation unit are provided. The enhancements include systems and methods for: (i) recovery of xenon and krypton; (ii) production of oxygen product substantially free of hydrocarbons; and (iii) improvement in the design and performance of the super-stage argon column. The present systems and methods are further characterized in an oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column of the air separation unit is an oxygen enriched condensing medium used in the argon condenser.

公开(公告)号：US10816263B2

公开(公告)日：2020-10-27

申请号：US15962358

申请日：2018-04-25

Applicant: Neil M. Prosser ,  James R. Handley ,  Brian R. Kromer

Inventor： Neil M. Prosser ,  James R. Handley ,  Brian R. Kromer

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon and an overall nitrogen recovery of 98% or greater. The air separation is configured to produce a high purity oxygen enriched stream which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption prepurifier unit. Argon recovery is facilitated with the use of an argon superstaged column.

公开(公告)号：US10663224B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-26

申请号：US15962205

申请日：2018-04-25

Applicant: Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley

Inventor： Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

公开(公告)号：US20200149806A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16742950

申请日：2020-01-15

Applicant: Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley

Inventor： Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer ,  James R. Handley

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98 percent or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

公开(公告)号：US20190331419A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-31

申请号：US15962297

申请日：2018-04-25

Applicant: James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer

Inventor： James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98% or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.

公开(公告)号：US20230055084A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-23

申请号：US17961697

申请日：2022-10-07

Applicant: Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Jeremy M. Cabral ,  James R. Handley

Inventor： Brian R. Kromer ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Jeremy M. Cabral ,  James R. Handley

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A nitrogen liquefier configured to be integrated with an argon and nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation unit and method of nitrogen liquefaction are provided. The integrated nitrogen liquefier and associated methods may be operated in at least three distinct modes including: (i) a nil liquid nitrogen mode; (ii) a low liquid nitrogen mode; and (iii) a high liquid nitrogen mode. The present systems and methods are further characterized in an oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column of the air separation unit is an oxygen enriched condensing medium used in the argon condenser.

公开(公告)号：US10663223B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-26

申请号：US15962297

申请日：2018-04-25

Applicant: James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer

Inventor： James R. Handley ,  Neil M. Prosser ,  Brian R. Kromer

IPC: F25J3/04

Abstract: A moderate pressure air separation unit and air separation cycle is disclosed that provides for up to about 96% recovery of argon, an overall nitrogen recovery of 98% or greater and limited gaseous oxygen production. The air separation is configured to produce a first high purity oxygen enriched stream and a second lower purity oxygen enriched stream from the lower pressure column, one of which is used as the refrigerant to condense the argon in the argon condenser, with the resulting vaporized oxygen stream used to regenerate the temperature swing adsorption pre-purifier unit. All or a portion of the first high purity oxygen enriched stream is vaporized in the main heat exchanger to produce the gaseous oxygen products.