Method and apparatus for argon recovery in a cryogenic air separation unit integrated with a pressure swing adsorption system

摘要

As a method and apparatus for argon recovery, a non-pure argon stream is separated from the air in a cryogenic air separation unit having an argon removal column and a reflux type argon condenser disposed inside the low pressure column. A non-pure argon stream is subsequently recovered from the argon removal column and purified in an integrated adsorbent based argon purification and purification subsystem to produce product grade argon. The waste stream from the adsorbent based argon purification and purification subsystem is recycled back to the argon removal column to improve argon recovery.