A New Cryogenic Air Separation Process with Flash Separator

Abstract

A new cryogenic air separation process with flash separator is developed. A flash separator is added to the conventional double-column cryogenic air separation process. The flash separator is used to replace the turbine required to recover a portion of the energy in the double-column air separation process. The flash separator served dual purposes of throttling and separation. Both the conventional and the new processes are simulated using Aspen Plus version 11.1 the model air flow rate and compositions are taken as 50000 Nm 3 /h of air at standard conditions of 1 atm and 25°C and feed composition of 79.1% N 2 and 20.9% O 2 . The new process decreases the energy consumption and increases the productivity.