There may be many potential variations in process and mechanical design, but all cryogenic air separation plants rely on the humble heat exchanger at the heart of their operation.
The basic principle behind cryogenic air separation is that it exploits the fact that air – comprised of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and just under 1% of argon – can be cooled sufficiently for it to become a mixture of liquids. From this basic concept, the process of cryogenic distillation separates and purifies those liquids/products based upon their differences in boiling points. The heat exchanger is fundamental to this process.
Plate-fin heat exchangers
A plate-fin heat exchanger, also known as a Brazed Aluminium Heat Exchanger (BAHX), is a type of exchanger that combines plates and finned chambers to transfer heat between fluids.
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