| Energy Engineering |
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| Research and development of large-scale cryogenic air separation in China |
| Xiao-bin Zhang, Jian-ye Chen, Lei Yao, Yong-hua Huang, Xue-jun Zhang, Li-min Qiu |
| Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Hangzhou Hangyang Co. Ltd., Hangzhou 311305, China; Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China |
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Abstract With the rapid growth in demand for industrial gas in steel and chemical industries, there has been significant emphasis placed on the development of China’s large-scale air separation technology. Currently, the maximum capacity of a single unit has been able to attain 120 000 Nm3/h (oxygen), and the specific power consumption of 0.38 kWh/m3. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-art for large-scale cryogenic air separation systems being deployed in China. A brief introduction to the history and establishment of the large-scale cryogenic air separation industry is presented. Taking the present mainstream large-scale air separation unit operating at 60 000 Nm3/h (oxygen) as an example, the technological parameters and features of the involved key equipment, including a molecular sieve adsorber, air compressor unit, plate-fin heat exchanger, turbo-expander and distillation column are described in detail. The developing 80 000–120 000 Nm3/h air separation processes and equipment are also introduced. A summary of the existing problems and future developments of these systems in China are discussed.
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Received: 26 February 2014
Published: 04 May 2014
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