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Safe design and operation of a cryogenic air separation unit

William P. Schmidt, Karen S. Winegardner, Martin Dennehy, Howard Castle‐Smith

Open publisher page 21 citations

Abstract

Abstract Cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs) frequently supply oxygen and nitrogen to chemical, petroleum and manufacturing customers. Typically, the ASU is located remotely from the use point, and the products are supplied via a pipeline. This paper provides the basic design and operating methods to safely operate an ASU. The four primary hazards associated with these units are: (1) the potential for rapid oxidation, (2) interfaces between the ASU and the downstream systems, (3) pre s s u re excursions due to vaporizing liquids, and (4) oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres. Requirements for safely handling oxygen within the air separation facility and at the product use point are also discussed in this paper.

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What this paper is about

Abstract Cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs) frequently supply oxygen and nitrogen to chemical, petroleum and manufacturing customers. Typically, the ASU is located remotely from the use point, and the products are supplied via a pipeline. This paper provides the basic design and operating methods to safely operate an ASU. The four primary hazards associated with these units are: (1) the potential for rapid oxidation, (2) interfaces between the ASU and the downstream systems, (3) pre s s u re excursions due to vaporizing liquids, and (4) oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres. Requirements for safely handling oxygen within the air separation facility and at the product use point are also discussed in this paper.

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OpenAlex reports 21 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

Abstract Cryogenic Air Separation Units (ASUs) frequently supply oxygen and nitrogen to chemical, petroleum and manufacturing customers. Typically, the ASU is located remotely from the use point, and the products are supplied via a pipeline. This paper provides the basic design and operating methods to safely operate an ASU. The four primary hazards associated with these units are: (1) the potential for rapid oxidation, (2) interfaces between the ASU and the downstream systems, (3) pre s s u re excursions due to vaporizing liquids, and (4) oxygen enriched or deficient atmospheres. Requirements for safely handling oxygen within the air separation facility and at the product use point are also discussed in this paper.

Key concepts: Air separation, Liquid oxygen, Pipeline (software), Process engineering, Separation (statistics), Environmental science, Waste management, Atmospheric oxygen

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