Air separation by rectification in a single/double column. Using his air liquefaction principle as a basis, Carl von Linde constructed the first air separation plant for oxygen production in 1902 using a single-column rectification system. In 1910, he established the basis for cryogenic air separation with the development of a double column rectification system. Now it was possible to produce pure oxygen and pure nitrogen simultaneously.
This involves installing a pressure column below the low-pressure column. At the top of this pressure column, pure nitrogen was drawn off, liquefied in a condenser and fed to the top low-pressure column as reflux. At the top of the low-pressure column, pure gaseous nitrogen was withdrawn, while liquid oxygen evaporated at the bottom of this column to deliver pure gaseous oxygen. This principle of double-column rectification combining the condenser and evaporator to form a heat exchanger unit is still used today.
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