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:
Sep. 27, 2016
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2014
Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Williamsville, NY (US);
Michael J. Lockett, Grand Island, NY (US);
Dante P. Bonaquist, Boalsburg, PA (US);
Maulik R. Shelat, Williamsville, NY (US);
Karl K. Kibler, Amherst, NY (US);
Vijayaraghavan S. Chakravarthy, Williamsville, NY (US);
Michael J. Lockett, Grand Island, NY (US);
Dante P. Bonaquist, Boalsburg, PA (US);
Maulik R. Shelat, Williamsville, NY (US);
Karl K. Kibler, Amherst, NY (US);
PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC., Danbury, CT (US);
Abstract
A method and main heat exchange system for use in a cryogenic air separation plant in which down-flow and thermosiphon heat exchangers are employed to partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid produced in a lower pressure column and to condense the nitrogen-rich vapor in a higher pressure column. A greater proportion of the oxygen-rich liquid can be partially vaporized in the down-flow heat exchangers than in the thermosiphon heat exchangers and the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the thermosiphon heat exchangers can have a higher oxygen content than the nitrogen-rich vapor condensed in the down-flow heat exchangers. This allows the higher pressure column to operate at a lower pressure than would otherwise be possible. A central conduit can extend from the higher pressure column into the lower pressure column to introduce the nitrogen-rich vapor into at least the down-flow heat exchangers for purposes of reducing pressure drop and column height.