Gas compressor, unit for separating a gas mixture incorporating such a compressor, and method of separating a gas mixture incorporating such a compressor

Abstract

The inventive gas compressor ( 1 ) comprises n in series connected stages (C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 ), wherein n is equal to or greater than 3, each stage is followed by a cooler (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 ), at least two coolers have different compressed gas pressure drops, the cooler exhibiting a smaller pressure drop being mounted upstream from the cooler exhibiting a higher pressure drop.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . A gas compressor ( 1 ,  11 ) having n stages (C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 , CA 1 , CA 2 , CA 3 ) connected in series, where n is equal to at least 3, each stage being followed by a cooler (R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , RA 1 , RA 2 , RA 3 ) characterized in that at least two coolers have different pressure drops for the compressed gas, the cooler having the lower pressure drop being upstream of that having the higher pressure drop.  
   
   
       8 . The compressor of  claim 7 , in which the cooler (R 5 , RA 3 ) of the final stage of the compressor has a higher pressure drop than that of the first stage.  
   
   
       9 . The compressor of  claim 8 , having at least four stages, in which the final stages of the compressor have a higher pressure drop than the first stages.  
   
   
       10 . The compressor of  claim 7 , in which at least two coolers have pressure drops differing by at least 30%, or at least 50% or even at least 100%, the cooler having the lower pressure drop being upstream of that having the higher pressure drop.  
   
   
       11 . The compressor of  claim 10 , in which at least two coolers have pressure drops different by at least 100%, the cooler having the lower pressure drop being upstream of that having the higher pressure drop.  
   
   
       12 . A unit for separating a gas mixture, which includes at least one compressor ( 1 ,  11 ) of  claim 7  and means for sending a gas ( 3 ,  9 ) coming from and/or intended for the unit to this compressor.