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:
Mar. 11, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 13, 1995
Thomas Rathbone, Surrey, GB;
Brian A Keenan, Surrey, GB;
The BOC Group plc, Windlesham, GB;
Abstract
A first flow of air is compressed in a first air compressor associated with a gas turbine and is purified in an adsorptive purification unit which separates water vapour and carbon dioxide from the air. The purified first flow of air is further compressed to a pressure at least 5 bar higher than that at which it is purified in a second air compressor whose outlet pressure is independent of fluctuations in the power output of the gas turbine, is cooled in a main heat exchanger, is passed through an expansion valve, and is introduced into a higher pressure rectification column. A second flow of air is compressed in a third air compressor which is independent of the gas turbine. The compressed second flow of air is purified in an adsorptive purification unit by the separation of water vapour and carbon dioxide therefrom. The purified second flow of air is cooled in the main heat exchanger and is introduced into the higher pressure rectification column. The air flows are rectified in the higher pressure rectification column and an associated lower pressure rectification column operating at pressures above 2 bar. A nitrogen product is withdrawn from the top of the lower pressure rectification column and a liquid oxygen product from the bottom thereof. The liquid oxygen is revised in pressure to at least 25 bar by a pump and is warmed to ambient temperature in the main heat exchanger.