Cryogenic Air Separation Oxygen Plant
The cryogenic air separation oxygen plant uses low-temperature distillation to separate oxygen, nitrogen, and argon from air. Typical users include steel mills, chemical plants, electronics manufacturers, and medical gas suppliers. The design prioritizes continuous operation, predictable energy use, and field maintainability.
How It Works
Air is compressed, cooled, and passed through molecular sieves to remove water, CO₂, and hydrocarbons. It then enters the cold box where temperature drops to around -180°C. Inside the distillation columns, oxygen (boiling point -183°C) and nitrogen (-196°C) separate by repeated vaporization and condensation. A properly designed cryogenic air separation oxygen plant delivers 99.6% oxygen and 99.999% nitrogen simultaneously using brazed aluminum heat exchangers and structured packings.
Key Parameters
|
Parameter |
Typical Value Range |
|---|---|
|
Oxygen purity |
99.6% |
|
Oxygen flow |
100 – 50,000 Nm³/h |
|
Purity vs. flow |
1,000 Nm³/h O₂ @99.6% + 2,000 Nm³/h N₂ @99.999% |
|
Temperature range |
Ambient inlet; cold box: -170°C to -196°C |
|
Energy consumption index |
0.38 – 0.48 kWh/Nm³ O₂ (compression + purification included) |
Purity vs. flow defines the actual output capability at a given purity level. Temperature range matters because even small deviations increase energy consumption or reduce separation efficiency.
Energy Consumption Index – Practical Values
The Energy Consumption Index is what buyers ask first. For a cryogenic air separation oxygen plant, we express it as kWh per Nm³ of oxygen:
- Low-pressure cycle (0.4–0.5 MPa): ~0.42 kWh/Nm³ O₂
- Medium-pressure cycle (1.0–1.5 MPa): ~0.46 kWh/Nm³ O₂
These numbers assume sea level, 25°C inlet air, and standard cooling water. Higher altitude or warmer inlet air will increase the index. Sheng'er Gas provides site-adjusted estimates.
Process Flow (Brief)
- Air intake → filter → compressor → pre-cooler (to 5–10°C) → molecular sieve purifier (H₂O and CO₂ below 1ppm)
- Booster + expander → main heat exchanger (to -180°C) → lower column → upper column
- Products: oxygen from bottom, nitrogen from top, waste nitrogen sent to regenerator
A full P&ID is provided with the technical proposal.
Application Notes – No Fake Cases
We do not list untraceable "success stories". Instead, here is what works in real engineering:
- Steel: oxygen enrichment for blast furnaces (99.2% O₂, 5,000–15,000 Nm³/h)
- Chemical: co-production for ammonia or methanol plants
- Electronics: high-purity nitrogen (99.9995%) as inert atmosphere
If you share your site conditions, Shenger Gas will run a simulation for your specific case.
Engineering Services
- Process design and equipment supply
- Installation supervision and startup assistance
- Operator training and troubleshooting support
- Retrofit for energy reduction (packing, exchanger, or control upgrades)
About Shenger Gas
Shenger Gas has over ten years of cryogenic plant engineering. We do not inflate numbers or hide limits. For every cryogenic air separation oxygen plant, we provide ASME or GB150 calculation sheets – from cold box seal gas flow to molecular sieve regeneration load. You get an auditable engineering package, not marketing claims.
To get a realistic Energy Consumption Index and mass balance, send us: altitude, inlet air temperature range, product purity and pressure, and cooling water conditions. Shenger Gas responds within 24 hours with a preliminary data sheet.
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