Comparative analysis of operational indicators of air separation plants

Abstract

The article gives tips on how to achieve real savings in electricity costs during the operation of an oxygen station, determined by the speed of performance regulation and the launch of cryogenic and adsorption technologies. A comparative analysis of obtaining 40,000 Nm³ /hr of oxygen with a purity of at least 93% and a pressure of 0.5 MPa at the output of the oxygen station with round-the-clock and year-round operation was carried out. The optimal solution to the problem under consideration is the use of cryogenic technology. The advantage of adsorption technology, compared to cryogenic one, is the ability to quickly stop and enter the mode. However, this advantage can manifest itself only in cases when there is no constant oxygen consumption at the enterprise, the periods of equipment downtime are long and unpredictable, the power supply system is unstable, and the required peak costs are very significant, which does not allow the use of a liquid product storage park. The practical value of the article is that the customer's service can determine how much savings will be comparable to the excess of the present cost of capital and operating costs for adsorption technologies, ranging from $ 25 million (without adsorbent replacement) to $ 40 million (with adsorbent replacement) over 20 years.