METHOD FOR STARTING UP A CRYOGENIC AIR SEPARATION UNIT AND ASSOCIATED AIR SEPARATION UNIT

摘要

In a process for starting up an air separation unit which is at a temperature of above 0℃, the air separation unit comprising a main air compressor (3) for compressing the feed air, a booster (4a) driven by a turbine (5a) and a venting conduit (50) connected downstream of the booster and upstream of the main heat exchanger wherein in order to start up the air separation unit, once the turbine is operating at said given speed, the venting conduit is opened to send at least part of the air compressed in the booster from the booster outlet to the atmosphere.