The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2018
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2015
Steven R. Falta, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Brian S. Powell, Williamsville, NY (US);
Henry E. Howard, Grand Island, NY (US);
Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Williamsville, NY (US);
Steven R. Falta, Honeoye Falls, NY (US);
Brian S. Powell, Williamsville, NY (US);
Henry E. Howard, Grand Island, NY (US);
Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Williamsville, NY (US);
PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC., Danbury, CT (US);
Abstract
An argon reflux condensation system and method in which a plurality of once-through heat exchangers are connected to an argon column of an air separation plant to condense argon-rich vapor streams for production of reflux to the argon column. Condensation of the argon-rich vapor streams is brought about through indirect heat exchange with crude liquid oxygen streams that partially vaporize and are introduced into a lower pressure column of the plant for further refinement. The flow rate of the crude liquid oxygen streams are sensed and controlled at locations in the plant where the crude liquid oxygen is in a liquid state and in proportion to the size of the once-through heat exchangers. Feed stream flow rate to the argon column is controlled in response to air flow rate to the plant and product flow rate is controlled in response to the feed stream flow rate to the argon column.