US 12,313,336 B2
Method for starting up an argon separation column of an apparatus for air separation by cryogenic distillation and unit for implementing the method
Antonio Trueba, Paris (FR); David Bednarski, Paris (FR); and Bernard Saulnier, Jouy-en-Josas (FR)
Assigned to L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Paris (FR)
Filed by L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, Paris (FR)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/211,756.
Prior Publication US 2021/0310730 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. F25J 1/00 (2006.01); F25J 3/04 (2006.01)
CPC F25J 1/0015 (2013.01) [F25J 1/002 (2013.01); F25J 3/04412 (2013.01); F25J 2210/42 (2013.01); F25J 2210/58 (2013.01); F25J 2215/04 (2013.01); F25J 2250/20 (2013.01); F25J 2280/10 (2013.01); F25J 2290/00 (2013.01); F25J 2290/60 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for starting up a column for separating argon by cryogenic distillation, the method comprising the steps of:
sending an argon-enriched fluid coming directly or indirectly from a double air separation column to an argon separation column, wherein the double air separation column comprises a first column and a second column, which are interconnected thermally;
measuring a nitrogen content at a top of the argon separation column,
wherein during start-up of the column:
a. sending a top gas from the argon separation column to the atmosphere, upon a determination that the nitrogen content at the top of the argon separation column is above a first threshold, and
b. sending the top gas from the argon separation column to a denitrogenation column for separation therein upon a determination that the nitrogen content at the top of the argon separation column is below a second threshold, which is lower than or equal to the first threshold; and withdrawing an argon-rich fluid product from the denitrogenation column.