Rare gases recovery process for triple column oxygen plant

Abstract

The present invention is a process for recovering rare gases from a multiple column oxygen plant, wherein the multiple column oxygen plant comprises a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, a middle pressure intermediate column, and a low pressure intermediate column, said middle pressure intermediate column comprising a first bottom reboiler and said low pressure intermediate column comprising a second bottom reboiler. The process includes providing a first oxygen rich liquid stream containing rare gases from the higher pressure column, wherein said first oxygen rich liquid stream is introduced to the first bottom reboiler. The process also includes removing a second oxygen rich liquid stream rich in rare gases from the bottom of the middle pressure intermediate column, wherein said second oxygen rich liquid stream is introduced to the low pressure intermediate column. The process also includes removing a first liquid purge stream concentrated in rare gases is removed from the low pressure intermediate column, wherein said first liquid purge stream is further concentrated downstream. And the process includes removing a third oxygen rich liquid stream lean in rare gases at a location that is at least one tray above the first bottom reboiler, wherein said third oxygen rich liquid stream is introduced to the lower pressure column.