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, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 21, 2002
Gerhard Pompl, Beilngries, DE;
Linde Aktiengesellschaft, Wiesbaden, DE;
Abstract
The process and the apparatus are used to obtain argon using a three-column system for the fractionation of air, which has a high-pressure column ( ), a low-pressure column ( ) and a medium-pressure column ( ). A first charge air stream ( ) is introduced into the high-pressure column ( ), where it is separated into a first oxygen-enriched liquid and a first nitrogen top gas. A first oxygen-enriched fraction ( ) from the high-pressure column ( ) is introduced into the medium-pressure column ( ), where it is separated into a second oxygen-enriched liquid and a second nitrogen top gas. A second oxygen-enriched fraction ( ), from the high-pressure column and/or from the medium-pressure column ( ) is introduced into the low-pressure column ( ), where it is separated into a third oxygen-enriched liquid and a third nitrogen top gas. An argon-containing fraction ( ) from the low-pressure column ( ) is introduced into a crude argon column ( ), where it is separated into a crude argon top fraction and an oxygen-rich liquid. At least a part ( ) of the crude argon top fraction ( ) is passed into a crude argon condenser ( ), where it is at least partially condensed by indirect heat exchange with at least a part ( ) of the second oxygen-enriched liquid from the medium-pressure column ( ). Oxygen-enriched vapor ( ) which is formed in the process is returned to the medium-pressure column ( ). A fraction ( ) from the upper region of the crude argon column ( ) and/or a part of the crude argon top fraction downstream of the crude argon condenser is obtained as crude argon product.