Method for designing a cryogenic air separation plant

Abstract

A method for designing a cryogenic air separation plant wherein a particular plant which fits into a certain classification is designed by first employing at least one predesigned subsystem for that classification to form a base system and then completing the design by adding to the base system at least one auxiliary subsystem designed specifically for that particular plant.

1 . A method for designing a cryogenic air separation plant comprising: 
 (A) electing a plant classification from a set of plant classifications;    (B) defining a group of predesigned subsystems for the elected plant classification;    (C) initiating the design of a specific cryogenic air separation plant within the elected plant classification by choosing at least one predesigned subsystem to form the base system of the cryogenic air separation plant; and    (D) completing the design of the cryogenic air separation plant by adding to the base system an auxiliary system comprising at least one subsystem designed specifically for the cryogenic air separation plant.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base system comprises an air prepurification system.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base system comprises a primary heat exchanger.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the base system comprises a cryogenic distillation column.