METHOD OF SEPARATION OF AIR Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: separation of air. SUBSTANCE: atmospheric air is compressed in compressor to low pressure and is fed to one of change-over passages of plate-type finned heat exchanger it is cooled and cleaned of water and carbon dioxide. Then air is divided into two flows: one flow is fed to non-change-over passage of heat exchanger where it is heated to temperature close to surrounding temperature; small amount of air is taken from this flow for forming loop flow. Other cooled flow enters recuperative heat exchanger after which it is combined with flow escaping from non-change-over passage and is compressed in compressor to high pressure. Then part of air after throttle valve and part of air after turbo-expander will be fed to double-acting fractionating tower; as a result, product oxygen and waste nitrogen are obtained. EFFECT: avoidance of power-intensive absorption units for dehumidifying and cleaning air. 1 dwg