A plant for producing an argon-rich stream from a mixture formed by a purge fluid from a plant for producing ammonia comprises at least two methane scrubbing columns upstream of a methane separation column and, downstream therefrom, a nitrogen/argon separation column.

The extrusion device of a solid film comprises a cell provided with an input opening of a material designed to form the solid film, and an output opening of the solid film from the cell. The device comprises a first heat exchanger for applying a first temperature to the output opening and a second heat exchanger for applying a second temperature in a first zone of the cell distinct from the output opening and a control circuit imposing first and second sets of first and second temperatures. The first set enables a volume of the material in solid phase to be formed. The second set enables a temperature gradient to be generated in the volume so as to generate a pressure forcing extrusion of the solid film via the output opening.

A method of vapor recovery is provided. One embodiment of the method of vapor recovery includes providing a combined gas phase and liquid phase fluid, by way of a pipe, wherein the pipe comprises a gas vent. Then removing at least a portion of the gas phase fluid with the gas vent. Then compressing the removed portion of gas phase fluid, thereby forming compressed gas stream. And finally accumulating the compressed gas stream in a storage tank downstream of the compressor.

A unit for producing argon by cryogenic distillation, suitable for connection to a double air separation column consisting of first and second columns interconnected thermally, comprises an argon separation column surmounted with a top condenser and a denitrogenation column, means for withdrawing an argon-rich and nitrogen-depleted product (LAR) at the bottom of the denitrogenation column, means for connecting the top of the argon separation column to the denitrogenation column, means for sending a top gas from the argon separation column to the atmosphere, means for withdrawing a nitrogen-rich fluid from the top of the denitrogenation column, an analyser for measuring the nitrogen content at the top of the argon separation column, and means for opening and closing the means for connecting the top of the argon separation column to the denitrogenation column depending on the nitrogen content detected by the analyser.

An oxygen liquefaction apparatus may include a heat exchanger that allows oxygen gas to be cooled and condensed with liquid nitrogen. The oxygen liquefaction apparatus may include: a differential pressure gauge that measures the difference in pressure between the hot and cold ends of an oxygen flow path; and an oxygen control unit that calculates the level of oxygen inside the heat exchanger based on the differential pressure gauge reading, that controls an oxygen control valve to adjust the level, and that controls the heat transfer area to control the condensation of the oxygen.