The main sign of determining the adequacy of the cooling capacity of the oxygen generator of the air separation equipment is the change of the liquid level of the main cooling.
The main cooling is a key component in the air separation equipment, which connects the upper tower and the lower tower. In the main cooling, the rising nitrogen from the lower tower condenses exothermically, while the reflux liquid oxygen from the upper tower absorbs heat and evaporates. When the return liquid volume is equal to the evaporated volume, the main cooling liquid level will remain constant. Insufficient refrigeration will result in a reduction in the moisture content of the air entering the lower tower. In order to meet the condensation demand, the amount of nitrogen required to condense in the main cooling increases, and the heat load of the main cooling increases. Correspondingly, the amount of liquid oxygen evaporated increases, resulting in a decrease in the liquid oxygen level. If there is too much refrigeration, the operating pressure of the medium pressure unit is too high and the moisture content of the air into the lower tower increases. The heat load of the main cooling decreases, the liquid oxygen evaporation decreases, and the liquid oxygen level rises.
Although the liquid level of the main cooling is the main sign to judge the adequacy of the cooling capacity, it is not the only sign. Over or under opening of the liquid-air throttle valve, etc. will change the liquid level in the lower tower, which in turn affects the liquid-oxygen level change in the main cooling. However, this fluctuation in liquid level is temporary and is not caused by an imbalance in cooling capacity, but by improper distribution of liquid between the upper and lower towers.
Changes in the liquid level of the main cooling is the main and intuitive sign to determine the adequacy of the air separation equipment oxygen generator cooling capacity. By monitoring the fluctuation of the main cooling liquid level, the operator can adjust the equipment parameters in time to ensure the stable operation and efficient output of the oxygen generator.
