OXYGEN-NITROGEN MIXTURE SEPARATION METHOD Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: gas separation methods. SUBSTANCE: in order to produce controlled atmospheres, oxygen- nitrogen mixture is treated to bind chemically oxygen in an oxidation reaction. To that end, oxygen and nitrogen-containing mixture to be separated is continuously taken from atmosphere, mixed with 0.8 to 2 vol % hydrogen from water electrolysis process, and mixture obtained is subjected to hydrogen oxidation reaction to form water vapors. Reaction is carried out in flow layer of platinum group metal catalyst under autothermal conditions excluding heat exchange with external medium at initial temperature not lower than 40 C. Reaction heat is recuperated via heat exchange of reaction products with fresh gas mixture and excess of heat is removed from products into external medium. Water vapors are condensed and water is returned into electrolysis process wherein hydrogen is produced on cathode and directed into oxidation reaction and pure oxygen is produced on anode, while hypoxic mixture is returned into atmosphere. EFFECT: enhanced process efficiency. 4 cl, 8 dwg, 3 ex