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. 05, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 22, 2001
Linde Gas Aktiengesellschaft, Höllriegelskreuth, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for extracting xenon and eventually also krypton from a liquid oxygen (LOX) charge, as it accrues in a cryogenic air separation system (LZA) during a rectification of the air, mostly as a bottom product of a low-pressure, column, namely with xenon (Xe), krypton (Kr) and hydrocarbons (C H ) in a small concentration and approximately 99 mol % oxygen (O ). According to the inventive method, the LOX charge is fed to a first column, the oxygen of the LOX charge is extensively removed by stripping with an inert gas, and is extracted in the top gas, whereas the inert gas is withdrawn in the form of a liquid from the bottom of the first column with little O and nearly the total mass of C H , Kr, Xe. According to the invention, the liquid discharge is fed to a second column without prior catalytic and/or adsorptive removal of C H . A Kr fraction is extracted as top gas of the second column, and an Xe fraction is withdrawn from the bottom of the second column. The method can be used in a device for extracting Xe and/or Kr in an air separation system (LZA). The device can be arranged in a transportable container.