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Description
Large-scale air separation units are pivotal in separating air into gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, crucial for industries such as metallurgy, coal chemical, and petrochemical. However, the high energy consumption of these units keeps operational costs elevated. Moreover, the increasing peak-to-valley ratio in the power grid poses a threat to its stable operation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a low-cost air separation unit with peak-shaving (LC-ASU). The LC-ASU compresses, liquefies, and stores ambient air in liquid air tank to provide liquid air for distillation columns during peak and off-peak time. It also stores the heat of compression. During peak periods, the unit utilizes the heat of compression to drive the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for electricity generation. By increasing power consumption during off-peak time and reducing it during peak time, the LC-ASU significantly lowers electricity costs for the ASU while serving the role of peak-shaving for the power grid. In this paper, thermodynamic and economic models for LC-ASU are developed, and the influence of compression pressure and liquefaction temperature on system performance is analyzed. This study contributes to cost reduction in ASU and facilitates wider application adoption.
| Submitters Country | China |
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