Charles Mitchell Woods

US Patent:

RE340383, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

May 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/708948

Inventors:

Douglas L. Bennett - Allentown PA
Keith A. Ludwig - Emmaus PA
George S. Witmer - Macungie PA
Charles M. Woods - Germansville PA

Assignee:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

F25J 304

US Classification:

62 22

Abstract:

The present invention relates to improvements to a process and apparatus for the cryogenic distillation of mixtures, which comprise oxygen, nitrogen and argon, e. g. air. The improvement comprises effectuating intimate contact of the liquid and vapor phase streams utilizing a structured packing to effectuate the intimate contact in at least. [. those. ]. . Iadd. one of the. Iaddend. regions of the distillation column system where argon concentration is within the range from about 0. 6 to about 75 volume percent. [. ,. ]. and. [. operating the process such that. ]. the densimetric superficial gas velocity. [. in those regions. ]. is at least 0. 06 feet per second. . [. The present invention also relates to a method for improving a cryogenic distillation apparatus having at least one distillation column for the separation of mixtures containing oxygen and argon, comprising the step of replacing the distillation trays with a structured packing in at least those regions of the distillation column system where the concentration of argon is in the range from about 0. 6 to about 75 volume percent. ]. . Iadd. The present invention also relates to the use of structured packing to reduce the HETP (height of packing equivalent to a theoretical plate) in a region of a distillation column system separating oxygen and argon by intimately contacting a liquid phase stream containing oxygem and argon, and a vapor phase stream containing oxygen and argon at an argon concentration within the range from 0.

US Patent:

48368369, Jun 6, 1989

Filed:

Dec 14, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/132535

Inventors:

Douglas L. Bennett - Allentown PA
Keith A. Ludwig - Emmaus PA
George S. Witmer - Macungie PA
Charles M. Woods - Germansville PA

Assignee:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

F25J 304

US Classification:

62 22

Abstract:

The present invention relates to improvements to a process and apparatus for the cryogenic distillation of mixtures, which comprise oxygen, nitrogen and argon, e. g. air. The improvement comprises effectuating intimate contact of the liquid and vapor phase streams utilizing a structured packing to effectuate the intimate contact in at least those regions of the distillation column system where argon concentration is within the range from about 0. 6 to about 75 volume percent, and operating the process such that the densimetric superficial gas velocity in those regions is at least 0. 06 feet per second. The present invention also relates to a method for improving a cryogenic distillation apparatus having at least one distillation column for the separation of mixtures containing oxygen and argon, comprising the step of replacing the distillation trays with a structured packing in at least those regions of the distillation column system where the concentration of argon is in the range from about 0. 6 to about 75 volume percent.

US Patent:

54862272, Jan 23, 1996

Filed:

Dec 8, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/352256

Inventors:

Ravi Kumar - Allentown PA
Eric W. Scharpf - Emmaus PA
Charles M. Woods - Germansville PA

Assignee:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

B01D 53047

US Classification:

95 41

Abstract:

A process is set forth for purifying and liquefying a feed gas mixture with respect to its less strongly adsorbed component of lower volatility which integrates temperature swing adsorption (TSA), pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and cryogenic distillation to optimize overall performance. The TSA portion of the process is used to remove the strongly adsorbed component from the feed; the PSA portion of the process is used to remove the moderately strongly adsorbed component from the feed; and the cryogenic distillation portion of the process is used to remove the less strongly adsorbed component of higher volatility from the feed while also providing for the liquefaction of the product. A key to the present invention is the use of the PSA and distillation waste streams in the regeneration of the TSA and PSA adsorbents. An important application of the present invention is the purification and liquefaction of a natural gas feed stream with respect to its methane/C. sub.

US Patent:

20150203359, Jul 23, 2015

Filed:

Jan 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/157619

Inventors:

- Allentown PA, US
John Michael Repasky - Allentown PA, US
Charles Mitchell Woods - Germansville PA, US

Assignee:

AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. - Allentown PA

International Classification:

C01C 1/04

Abstract:

System for producing ammonia wherein a gasifier is used to make synthesis gas to provide hydrogen to an ammonia reactor. An ion transport membrane assembly and optionally a cryogenic air separation are used to provide oxygen for a gasifier. The ion transport membrane assembly also provides high pressure nitrogen for use in the ammonia reactor.