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
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.
Xiao-bin Zhang, Jian-ye Chen, Lei Yao, Yong-hua Huang, Xue-jun Zhang, Li-min Qiu. Research and development of large-scale cryogenic air separation in China. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A (Applied Physics & Engineering), 2014, 15(5): 309-322.
