Patent ID: 6357258
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: F25J

Abstract:
Apparatus for producing at least one product by the cryogenic rectification of feed air comprising:(A) a cryogenic air separation plant having at least one column; (B) a base load air compressor and means for passing feed air to the base load air compressor; (C) at least one booster compressor, and means for passing feed air from the base load air compressor to said booster compressor(s), and means for passing feed air from the booster compressor(s) to the cryogenic air separation plant; (D) a multicomponent refrigerant fluid circuit comprising a multicomponent refrigerant fluid compressor and an expansion device, and means for passing refrigeration generated by the multicomponent refrigerant fluid circuit to the cryogenic air separation plant; (E) a gear case, means for drivingly coupling the booster compressor(s) to the gear case, and means for drivingly coupling the multicomponent refrigerant fluid compressor to the gear case; and (F) means for recovering at least one product from the cryogenic air separation plant.