Patent ID: 6062044
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F25J

Abstract:
Process for producing a gas from air at a variable flow rate by air distillation in an air distillation unit, in which at least some of the gas to be produced is stored, in the form of a first liquid, in a first storage tank; a variable flow of said first liquid is drawn off from said storage tank and brought to gaseous form and to a production pressure, said variable flow being vaporized by condensing a corresponding variable flow of a second fluid; said condensed second fluid is stored, in the form of a second liquid, in a second storage tank; and a. controlled flow of said second liquid is sent to said. distillation unit, wherein an auxiliary flow of said gas to be produced is brought to gaseous form and to a high pressure greater than said production pressure and then stored in an auxiliary tank under said high pressure, and, during certain peaks in demand of the said gas, at least some of the demanded excess gas is bled off from said auxiliary tank, after having expanded said excess gas to said production pressure.