Linde targets air oxidation processes

Frankfurt, Germany – Air oxidation is used in many processes in the petrochemical and basic chemical industry. Adding pure oxygen (O2) to the process air can contribute to increased efficiency and productivity.

At Achema 2012, Linde presented two new systems for oxygen enrichment: the Oxymix oxygen injector and Flowtrain measurement and control system.

In refineries or in the chemical industry air oxidation is often carried out with normal ambient air as an oxidant, although the latter has an oxygen content of only 21%.

At the same time inert gas constituents must be passed through the process, including heating and cooling, involving considerable costs for waste gas treatment.

Enrichment of the oxidation air with pure oxygen can, however, enhance process efficiency. Typically, the capacity and productivity of existing plants can be boosted.

According to Linde, process control then becomes more flexible and energy consumption for waste gas treatment is reduced due to the lower gas volume.

Linde offers the Oxymix oxygen injector for enrichment of the process air. The nozzle system of the oxygen mixer is arranged in a circle and designed so that the oxygen is introduced to the pipes against the airstream.

As a result, both gases are fully mixed within a very short distance. This guarantees an even oxygen concentration in the enriched process air without significant pressure loss in the line.

Zones with a high oxygen concentration, so-called hot spots, are reliably avoided: a high level of operating reliability is guaranteed.

While oxygen is added by the Oxymix in the process air intake, the Flowtrain operates as the measurement and control system.

According to Linde, many air oxidation techniques such as the Claus process for the industrial manufacture of sulphur or the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) can be made more efficient.

The Flowtrain controls the degree of oxygen enrichment relative to the process air volume. Units with a throughput of 50 to 5,000 Nm3/h oxygen are available, depending on oxygen requirements, the company said.