Patent ID: 6574988
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: F25J,Y10S

Abstract:
Process for separating an argon-enriched gas by cryogenic distillation, comprising the following steps:the step of sending an argon-enriched gas stream to a first column; the step of separating the gas by distillation in the first column into an oxygen-enriched liquid and an argon-enriched gas; the step of at least partially condensing the argon-rich gas in an overhead condenser of the first column in order to form reflux; the step of removing another argon-rich stream containing at most 1000 ppm oxygen and 1000 ppm nitrogen from the first column and of sending it to the top of a second column; the step of warming the bottom of the second column by means of a warming gas; the step of withdrawing, as a final product, an argon-rich fluid from the lower portion of the second column; and the step of sending an overhead gas of the second column to the overhead condenser of the first column.