how air separation plant works | Air separation plants

Know How Air Separation Plant Works? Answers by Bhartiya Cryogas

10

Nov

Know How Air Separation Plant Works? Answers by Bhartiya Cryogas

Sunita Narain

Coronavirus global outbreak has increased demand for the oxygen concentrators. There are several processes of extracting medical grade oxygen that is used to treat corona patients. Air Separation technology is the most common way used to extract useful constituents of atmospheric air. Atmospheric air consists of three main components. They are Nitrogen (78.1%), Oxygen (20.9%) and Argon (0.9%). Rests of gases in air are of negligible amount and are difficult to extract.

But how does Air Separation Plants work? How much does an air separation plant cost? What is air separation used for? What is air separation used for? To know several such questions, the Bhartiya Cryogas, India’s biggest and most reputed manufacturer of Air separation plants, Cryogenic oxygen plants, Liquid oxygen plant, Manufacturer of oxygen plant, has talked to their in-house experts to compile answers for these questions.

How does an air separation plant work?

With the help of the Air Separation plant, the atmospheric air is separated into three primary components. They are nitrogen, oxygen and argon.

What is Nitrogen used for?

Nitrogen extracted with the help of the Air Separation plant plays a crucial role in the Chemical Industry. It’s most commonly used in production of nitric acids, fertilizers, nylon, explosives and dyes.

What is Oxygen used for?

Oxygen extracted with the help of the Air Separation plant is used to produce medical grade oxygen used for life support systems. It also has use in production of plastics and textiles, steel, brazing, welding and cutting of steels, rocket propellant, submarines, scuba diving, spaceflights etc.

What is Argon used for?

Argon is extracted with the help of the Air Separation plant in production of titanium and several reactive elements which have an important role in manufacturing of several products. Welders also use it to protect the weld area and in incandescent light bulbs it stops oxygen from corroding the filament.

How much does an air separation plant cost?

The global outbreak of Covid 19 has increased the demand for installation of the Air Separation Unit. The Government of India has directed all big hospitals to have their own Air Separation Units. Even the big private hospitals are investing in having their own plants. The installation cost varies from technology and companies but the average installation cost of the cryogenic air separation unit was around $ 63 million.

How is oxygen separated from air?

Through the process of fractional distillation of liquid air, gases could be separated. About 78 percent of the air is nitrogen and 21 percent is oxygen.

How can air be liquefied?

With the help of Linde Process, Air is liquefied for multipurpose use. In the process, air is alternately compressed, cooled, and expanded. Each expansion results in a considerable reduction in temperature. Due to the lower temperature the molecules move very slowly and occupy less space, so the air changes to become liquid.