Integrated process and apparatus for the separation of air

Abstract

In an integrated process for separation of air, an air separation unit produces a stream enriched in oxygen and a stream enriched in nitrogen, the stream enriched in nitrogen is used to liquefy vaporized natural gas by indirect heat exchange and the stream enriched in oxygen is sent to a natural gas treatment unit.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A method which may be used for separating air, said method comprising: 
 a) producing an oxygen enriched stream in an air separation unit;    b) producing a nitrogen enriched stream in said air separation unit;    c) liquefying vaporized natural gas by indirect heat exchange with said nitrogen enriched stream; and    d) sending said oxygen enriched stream to a natural gas treatment unit.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising expanding said nitrogen enriched stream in a turbine prior to said liquefying.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said vaporized natural gas is liquefied at a pressure less than about 3 bar abs.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said treatment unit comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a natural gas reformer unit; and    b) a partial oxidation unit.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising compressing feed air for said air separation unit in a compressor, wherein: 
 a) power for said compressor is obtained from at least one steam turbine; and    b) said steam turbine is associated with said natural gas treatment unit.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus which may be used as an integrated air separation unit, said apparatus comprising: 
 a) an air separation unit;    b) a conduit for supplying said air separation unit with cooled compressed air;    c) a conduit for removing from said air separation unit a nitrogen enriched fluid;    d) a conduit for removing from said air separation unit an oxygen enriched fluid;    e) a heat exchanger for condensing vaporized natural gas;    f) at least one conduit for supplying vaporized natural gas to said heat exchanger;    g) at least one conduit for supplying said nitrogen enriched fluid to said heat exchanger;    h) at least one conduit for removing condensed natural gas from said heat exchanger;    i) at least one conduit for removing a cooled nitrogen enriched fluid from said heat exchanger; and    j) a conduit for supplying said oxygen enriched fluid to said natural gas treatment unit.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a turbine located downstream of said air separation unit and upstream of said heat exchanger.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said natural gas unit comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a natural gas reformer; and    b) a natural gas partial oxidation unit.