Air separation column low-density solid-state insulation patent

Abstract

A cryogenic insulation system is proposed comprising enclosing at least a portion of a cryogenic device with low density high conductivity insulation material. The cryogenic device may be an air separation unit. The cryogenic device does not include an outer containment structure for granulated cryogenic insulation. The low density high conductivity insulation material may consists of at least one layer of abutting or overlapping low density high conductivity insulation material composite with fibrous batting. The portion of the cryogenic device is selected from the group consisting of: a distillation column, a heat exchanger, a condenser, a reboiler, an expansion turbine, valves, piping, or any combination thereof.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for insulating a cryogenic air separation unit, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a distillation system having an outer surface, the distillation system configured to separate a compressed air stream into a nitrogen enriched stream and an oxygen enriched stream;   obtaining an insulation material comprising aerogel, wherein the insulation material is configured to be flexible; and   covering the outer surface of the distillation system with the insulation material such that the outer surface of the distillation system is not in direct contact with the atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an absence of the step of surrounding the distillation system with an outer containment structure. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an absence of the step of surrounding the distillation system with perlite insulation. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation material further comprises a composite material with fibrous batting. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the insulation material further comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises the aerogel and the second layer comprises fibrous batting. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of covering the outer surface of the distillation system is conducted by wrapping the insulation material around the distillation system. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerogel comprises silica. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerogel is configured to have a lattice that prevents air circulation within the lattice.