Nitrogen generation system

[psebes]

Can any one help me to find an article or a web site that talks about the nitrogen generation system ( types, selection criteria, general specs, uses,...etc). This is required to develop some training manuals for our new recruited engineers.
Thanks

 

[abcmex]

Check at the sites of Nitrogen suppliers like: Linde, Air products, Praxair, Air liquide, BOC etc
RGS

 

[psebes]

Thanks abcmex for your response. I have checked the relevent sites for vendors you mentioned, but non of them have provided details to the level that i expexted i.e, eventhough, they have explained the general opertion principle, non of them provided details about the selection criteria, typical specs.
can you offer any more help pls.

 

[pmureiko]

Two N2 generator types are pressure swing absorption (PSA) and membranes. I found both types are competitive on price by the major gas companies like BOC and Air Liquide. Both systems offer the same purity, though PSA's have lower pressure drop than membranes. A membrane system with a dedicated air compressor will make the pressure drop up by with a higher compression ratio.

I think the main difference is you can get better pricing on a PSA from a company like Parker Filtration or Whatman than a total gas company. PSA technology seems generally available and you can avoid paying more for the BOC or Air Liquide name and overhead.

 

[bobster2003]

Generally, nitrogen specs are delivery pressure, oxygen content and water content.

For very large requirements of nitrogen, the most economical method is to use cryogenic air separation, where the air components (nitrogen and oxygen) are split in a distillation column. This is also used for obtaining liquid nitrogen, liquid or gaseous oxygen and also for getting argon.

For most applications PSA or membranes are used. PSA preferentially absorb nitrogen and the oxygen enriched air is purged. Membranes preferentially permeate nitrogen and prevent oxygen and water permeating through.

In most applications I have seen, membrane or PSA is the most useful. Selection is usually on cost alone. I believe that membranes are a lot more reliable as they have no moving parts (PSA have changeover valves), but I have yet to see any hard facts on this. Vendor's propaganda will not give you an answer, they will tell you the best solution is what they sell.

 

[psebes]

Thanks all for your kind support