An energy management tool for cryogenic air separation plants

Steel, petrochemicals, metallurgy, explosives, food and many other industries require large amounts of air products such as oxygen and nitrogen. Cryogenic air separation technology is, unlike other air separation technologies, in a mature stage of its life cycle and currently the only practical means available for mass-production of these air products. Inherent to its operation, cryogenic air separation plants are generally energy intensive and power input is considered the main factor on which the ultimate production cost will depend. Experience has shown that relatively small improvements in energy efficiency on these plants generally result in a significant reduction of production cost. This paper discusses an energy management tool that may improve the energy efficiency of the plant and could serve as a supplement to existing energy management efforts. The tool takes the form of several mathematical models and could be of great value in reducing product cost.