L'air Liquide,societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude

Air Liquide Canada, Inc.

Air Liquide Global E&c Solutions US Inc.

Gilles Poulin

Yves Hardy

Claude Granger

Wendy Yip

Minh Huy Pham

Yoland Plamondon

May Yee Wendy Yip

Sylvain Madé

Denis Cote

Stephane Peltier

An apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures can include a cold box module comprising framing and having an upper module section and a lower module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; an upper column section disposed within the upper module section; a lower column section disposed within the lower module section; a plurality of support saddles attached to the upper and lower module sections that are configured to provide structural support for the upper and lower column sections when the upper and lower column sections are in a horizontal position during transportation; and means for limiting longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport, wherein the means for limiting longitudinal movement are connected to the lower column section and the lower module section.

Apparatus for distillation at cryogenic temperatures

The jacking system and method for using it to lower an upper column section without the use of a crane is provided. The jacking system is configured to be disposed on a roof of a cold box module and may include: a structural assembly; and a plurality of suspension rods supported at an upper end by the structural assembly, wherein the plurality of suspension rods is configured to provide support to the upper column section.

Apparatus and method for lowering a column section

A method for constructing a cold box module and resulting apparatus is provided. The method can include providing a cold box module having framing and an upper and lower module sections, introducing an upper column section longitudinally into the upper module section while the upper module section is substantially horizontal; introducing a lower column section longitudinally into the lower module section while the lower module section is substantially horizontal; releasably attaching the lower column section to the lower module section using shipping saddle spacers and support saddles; and attaching a skirt attachment to the lower column section and the lower module section, wherein the skirt attachment is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the lower column section when the lower module section is in a horizontal position during transport. After erecting the cold box module at the installation site, the shipping saddle spacers can be removed and the upper column section is lowered using a jacking system located on the roof of the cold box module.

Method for constructing a cold box module

A method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing an upper module section having an upper column section disposed within and secured to the upper module section, wherein the upper module comprises a roof; providing a lower module section having a lower column section disposed within and secured to the lower module section; erecting the lower module section from a horizontal position to a vertical position at an installation site; lifting the upper module section from a horizontal position and attaching the upper module section, while in a vertical position, to a top portion of the lower module section; lowering the upper column section, independent of the upper module section, toward the lower column section; and welding the upper column section and the lower column section together.

Method for installation of a cryogenic distillation apparatus

An apparatus for condensing argon can include cold box, which is preferably sealed and largely maintenance free, where all instruments and valves requiring routine maintenance are to be located outside, a nitrogen separator disposed within the cold box, a heat exchanger disposed within the cold box, the heat exchanger is configured to condense a gaseous argon stream against a pressurized liquid nitrogen stream. The cold box is elevated as compared to an argon storage vessel, such that the condensed argon stream can flow to the argon storage vessel without the need for a pump.

Argon recondensing apparatus

A method for condensing argon can include two flow streams interacting with each other in a heat exchanger found within a cold box: a stream of gaseous argon enters the heat exchanger to be cooled down below its liquefaction point by a stream of pressurized liquid nitrogen entering the heat exchanger. While passing through the heat exchanger, gaseous argon is gradually cooled down until it is condensed into liquid, flowing by gravity to the nearby liquid argon storage tank.

Argon recondensing method

A method of erecting a cold box that includes the steps of anchoring at least one column to a foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; anchoring a pipe rack module to the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the pipe rack module is in close proximity to the at least one column; attaching interconnecting piping between the pipe rack module and the at least one column; anchoring at least four corner beams to the edge of the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; attaching prefabricated panels with bracing to the corner beams, to form an enclosure around the column and piping; and attaching a roof to the enclose is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Montreal, Canada

Gilles Poulin