Patent ID: 6282901
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: F01K,F25J,Y02C,Y02E

Abstract:
An integrated air separation process, wherein the process uses at least an air separation unit, a first boiler and a second boiler, comprising the steps of:(a) introducing air to the air separation unit;(b) separating the air into at least an O.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream and an N.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream;(c) introducing at least a portion of the N.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream, having a pressure of at least 3 bars (300 kPa), into at least one heat exchanger associated with the first boiler;(d) generating power by introducing the N.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream exiting the first boiler into a first means for generating power;(e) directing the N.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream exiting the first means for generating power into at least one heat exchanger associated with the second boiler;(f) introducing water into at least one of the first boiler and the second boiler to generate steam;(g) introducing at least a portion of the O.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream, having a pressure of at least 3 bars (300 kPa), and fuel to a first combustor associated with the first boiler to produce a flue gas;(h) introducing a temperature controlling fluid into the first boiler to control the combustion temperature at a predetermined temperature less than the combustion temperature of fuel and the O.sub.2 -enriched gaseous stream alone;(i) generating power by introducing at least a portion of the flue gas stream exiting the first boiler into a second means for generating power; and(j) directing at least a portion of the flue gas stream from the second means for generating power to the second boiler.