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| Cryogenic distillation | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cryogenic distillation |
| Type | Separation process |
| Feed | Air, natural gas, synthesis gas |
| Products | Oxygen, nitrogen, argon, neon, krypton, xenon, methane, hydrogen |
Cryogenic distillation is a low-temperature separation technique used to fractionate mixtures of gases by exploiting differences in boiling points through rectification at cryogenic temperatures. It is widely applied in large-scale industrial BASF SE, Air Liquide, Linde plc, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. plants to produce high-purity oxygen and nitrogen for clients including General Electric, Siemens, and Bayer. The method underpins supply chains for sectors such as Boeing, Tesla, Inc., ExxonMobil, Shell plc and supports research at institutions like CERN, MIT, and Stanford University.
Cryogenic distillation separates components of gas mixtures by cooling feeds to temperatures where phase changes occur, then using fractionation to obtain distinct streams. Historically developed alongside industrial gas markets served by firms like Air Liquide, Linde plc, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., it forms the backbone of bulk industrial gas supply chains for manufacturers such as Dow Chemical Company, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and ArcelorMittal. Modern plants integrate technologies from equipment suppliers including Siemens Energy, GE Vernova, and Cryostar SA.
The theoretical basis rests on vapor–liquid equilibrium and relative volatility, described by models used in chemical engineering curricula at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London. Key thermodynamic concepts involve Antoine-type correlations, fugacity, and equations of state such as the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation and Peng–Robinson equation. Cryogenic operation exploits the critical points of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, argon, neon, krypton, and xenon—properties cataloged by organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Distillation column theory uses McCabe–Thiele methods, Fenske–Underwood–Gilliland correlations, and tray versus packed column design standards referenced by bodies including American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Large air separation units (ASUs) built by Linde plc, Air Liquide, and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. employ cryogenic distillation to produce liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen for customers such as BASF SE, ArcelorMittal, and Bayer. Cryogenic techniques also separate noble gases for scientific facilities like CERN and technology firms such as Intel Corporation and TSMC. In natural gas processing, cryogenic distillation is integrated into plants operated by Shell plc, ExxonMobil, and BP for methane and heavier hydrocarbon recovery; liquefaction trains for liquefied natural gas are supplied by KBR, Inc., MHI Group, and TechnipFMC. Specialized applications include oxygen production for medical suppliers like Johnson & Johnson and aerospace propellant production for agencies such as NASA and companies including SpaceX.
Design incorporates multistage distillation columns, heat exchangers, turboexpanders, and cryogenic pumps from vendors like Siemens Energy, GE Vernova, and Cryostar SA. Plate and packed column internals follow practices endorsed by ASME and AIChE; materials selection often references standards from ASTM International and ISO. Control rooms and distributed control systems are typically supplied by Honeywell International Inc., Schneider Electric SE, or ABB Ltd. Plant layouts balance feed compression trains from manufacturers such as MAN Energy Solutions with liquefaction units designed by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Linde plc for integration into industrial sites operated by ExxonMobil, Shell plc, or municipal utilities.
Operators follow procedures influenced by training programs at Shell plc, Chevron Corporation, and academic centers like University of Texas at Austin and University of Manchester. Key controls include temperature and pressure regulation using PID loops, advanced model predictive control implementations found in Siemens Energy and Honeywell International Inc. systems, and cryogenic safety interlocks. Performance metrics monitored align with industry guidelines from American Petroleum Institute and ISO standards, while feed variability is managed in contracts with suppliers such as TotalEnergies SE and BP.
Cryogenic distillation presents hazards such as cold burns, asphyxiation from oxygen displacement, and flammability risks in processes involving hydrocarbons; emergency response protocols are coordinated with agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Fire Protection Association. Environmental controls address greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, with efficiency improvements promoted by programs at International Energy Agency and corporate sustainability initiatives at Shell plc and ExxonMobil. Waste heat recovery and carbon management techniques are increasingly adopted to meet targets set by entities like the European Commission and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Foundational work in low-temperature physics and gas liquefaction traces to scientists and engineers associated with institutions such as Cryogenic Society of America, Royal Society, Cambridge University, and companies including Linde plc and Air Liquide. The commercialization of air separation in the early 20th century involved industrialists and firms like Carl von Linde's enterprises and later expansions by Air Liquide and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.. Technological milestones include the development of the Claude cycle and turboexpander machinery used in LNG trains by builders such as MHI Group, KBR, Inc., and TechnipFMC, and modern control advancements implemented by Honeywell International Inc., Siemens Energy, and ABB Ltd.
Category:Industrial processes