Distillation apparatus and method of transporting the same

Abstract

A distillation column 2 , suitable for the cryogenic distillation of air or the thermal distillation of hydrocarbon gas, is supported within an insulation structure 4 from interior corners of said structure. This apparatus and method of support avoid placing significant stresses on the column during transportation. The apparatus is particularly suitable for columns having a diameter of at least 3.5 m (11 ft).

1 . Apparatus comprising a distillation column and an insulation structure, characterised in that said column is supported within said structure from interior corners of said structure.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the column has a diameter of at least 3.5 m (11 ft).  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the column has a diameter of about 5 m (16 ft) or about 6 m (20 ft).  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the column is supported using radial supports provided between each corner of the insulation structure and the outer wall of the column.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the column is supported using at least two sets of radial supports provided along the length of the column.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the column comprises an internal stiffening structure to disperse local stresses imposed on the wall of the column by the radial supports.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the internal stiffening structure remains in the column during distillation.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the thickness of the wall of the column is less than the thickness required to support the column both during transit and when erected on site without an internal stiffening structure.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the column is a cryogenic air distillation column.  
   
   
       10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of transporting apparatus comprising a column and an insulation structure, said method comprising supporting said column within said structure from interior corners of said structure and transporting said apparatus.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the column has a diameter of at least 3.5 m (11 ft).  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column has a diameter of about 5 m (16 ft) or about 6 m (20 ft).  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column is supported using radial supports provided between each corner of the insulation structure and the outer wall of the column.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column is supported using at least two sets of radial supports provided along the length of the column.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column comprises an internal stiffening structure to disperse local stresses imposed on the wall of the column by the radial supports.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the internal stiffening structure remains in the column during distillation.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the thickness of the wall of the column is less than the thickness required to support the column both during transit and when erected on site without an internal stiffening structure.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the column is a cryogenic air distillation column.