Method and apparatuses for the production of synthetic air products and related gases

Abstract

Processes and apparatuses are disclosed for the production of a synthetic air product with a variable oxygen content and a varying level of impurities.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for the production of a synthetic air product comprising the steps of: 
 supplying a feed gas;    enhancing the oxygen content of the feed gas;    passing the feed gas to a cryogenic distillation column;    rectifying the feed gas in the distillation column to remove impurities; and, extracting a synthetic air product at least a real or theoretical tray above where the feed gas is passed to the column.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  further comprising compressing the feed gas.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of enhancing the oxygen content of the feed gas comprises mixing an oxygen stream with the feed gas.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the oxygen content of the feed gas is enhanced prior to fully compressing the feed gas.  
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the oxygen content of the feed gas is enhanced prior to fully rectifying the feed gas.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the oxygen content of the feed gas is enhanced prior to fully cooling the feed gas.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the oxygen content of the feed gas is enhanced at a point in the distillation column.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 7  wherein the synthetic air product is extracted at least one real or theoretical tray above the point in the distillation column.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the feed gas is cooled to generally about a dew point of the feed gas.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  the feed gas is air.  
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of enhancing the oxygen content further comprises mixing an oxygen supply with the feed gas.  
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the oxygen supply is greater than 90% by volume.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of rectifying the feed gas further comprises more than one tray.  
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1  further comprising the step of removing a nitrogen enriched product.  
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the nitrogen enriched product is removed along an upper portion of the column.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the synthetic air product extracted has an oxygen content of about 15% by volume to about 40% by volume.  
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the synthetic air product extracted has an oxygen content of about 20% by volume to about 30% by volume.  
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the synthetic air product extracted has an oxygen content of about 21% by volume.  
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the step of supplying the feed gas further comprises mixing an oxygen supply with an other supply prior to rectifying.  
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19  wherein at least one of the oxygen supply and the other supply is a liquid.  
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 19  wherein the other supply is a nitrogen supply.  
     
     
         22 . A cryogenic process for the production of a synthetic air product including the steps of supplying a feed gas; substantially removing CO2 and moisture from the feed gas; mixing the feed gas with an oxygen content enhancing stream; cooling the feed gas, passing the feed gas into a distillation column; and, removing a synthetic air product.  
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 22  further comprising compressing the feed gas.  
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 22  wherein the step of supplying the feed gas further comprises mixing an oxygen supply and an other supply.  
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 24  wherein at least one of the oxygen supply and the other supply is a liquid.  
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 25  wherein at least one of oxygen supply and the other supply is a gas.  
     
     
         27 . The process of  claim 24  wherein the other supply is a nitrogen supply.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for producing a synthetic air product comprising: 
 a column having an upper portion, a lower portion, a top, a bottom, and at least one tray;    a feed gas supply line connected to the column;    an oxygen content enhancing line connected to the feed gas supply line; and,    a product withdraw line connected to a portion of the column for removing a synthetic air product.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 29  further comprising a line connected to the lower portion of the column to remove rich liquid.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the oxygen content enhancing line is connected to the column.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the feed gas supply line further comprises a connection to an oxygen supply and an other supply.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein at least one of the other supply and the oxygen supply is a liquid.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the other supply is a nitrogen supply.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the product withdraw line removes a synthetic air product with an oxygen content of about 15% by volume to about 40% by volume.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the product withdraw line removes a synthetic air product with an oxygen content of about 20% by volume to about 30% by volume.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 29  wherein the product withdraw line removes a synthetic air product with an oxygen content of about 21% by volume.