PSA Nitrogen Gas Generation Systems

Presented by: SouthSouth -tek Systems

Manufacturers / Designers of Nitrogen Generating Equipment
Copyrighted All Rights Reserved - 2009
REV 81309

Non-cryogenic Nitrogen Production Technologies

Two distinct Air Separation Technologies

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA)

Membrane
Both technologies mechanically separate Nitrogen Molecules from the air.

Why can you separate Nitrogen from the air?

Molecule Size Relationship:

Nitrogen (N2) molecules are the size of beach balls Oxygen (O2) molecules are the size of pin heads

Why can you separate Nitrogen from the air?

78% N2
N2
O2

20.9% O2 1 % Ar

Ar

Balance CO2, CO, rare gases

CO

CO2

Other

How can you separate N2 from the other molecules?

Two ways of mechanically separating N2 and O2 molecules: 1. 2. Membrane the act of separation utilizing a sieve. Adsorption (PSA) the act of attracting or isolating one of the molecules from the others using a material.

N2 PSA Gas Generator Technology

PSA = Pressure Swing Adsorption

What is Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) ?

A technology used to generate non-cryogenic (gaseous) Nitrogen on-site Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) adsorbs oxygen and water vapor molecules under high pressure - while allowing Nitrogen to pass through Skid-mounted units can supply up to 75,000 SCFH of continuous Nitrogen product

Sieve Bed Pressure Vessels Filled with Carbon Molecular Sieve

CMS

Sieve Bed Pressurized with Air

N2 N2 N2 N2
O2

C.M.S.
O2

O2

N2

N2
O2 Ar O2

N2 N2 O2 N2
Ar

O2 N2

CO2

N2
Ar

O2

N2

CO

N2

O2, CO2, CO and other molecules captured in CMS N2 N2 N2

N2
O2

O2

O2

N2

O2

O2

N2
Ar

CO

CO2

N2 N2

O2

Ar

N2 molecules are drawn off into N2 receiving tank

N2 N2 N2 N2
Ar CO

N2
Ar

O2

O2 O2

N2 N2 N2
O2 O2

O2 O2

CO2 O2 O2

N2

O2, CO2, CO and other molecules are held inside CMS

O2 O2

O2 O2

O2 O2

O2 CO2
CO

CO2

O2

O2, CO2, CO and other molecules are flushed from CMS by depressurizing the sieve bed
CO2 O2 O2 O2
CO

O2

O2

O2

O2

CMS flushed and cleansed, ready for new air

N2 PSA
Gas Generator Technology

N2 PRODUCTION VESSELS

CMS
Tank #1

CMS
Tank #2

N2

Small PSA Nitrogen Generator Systems

Large PSA Nitrogen Systems

N2 Gas Generation Technologies Available

Membrane
Uses more compressed air Max inlet air pressure is 225 psig Lower pressure drop (25 psig) Lower purity available (max 99.5%) Membrane lasts 8 to 15 years Fewer moving parts

PSA
Uses less compressed air Max inlet air pressure is 150 psig Higher pressure drop 40 psig Higher purity available (max 99.999%) Sieve beds last forever More moving parts with switching valves

Why use a Gas Generator?

Cost effective Unlimited supply of N2 Produce the purity, volume, and flow rate you need at the point of use. Minimal maintenance Mechanical operation Operating Cost = compressor electricity cost No high pressure tanks to deal with

STS has your Nitrogen Generation Solution

4724 Sharpstone Lane Raleigh, NC 27615 tel: (919) 847-3800, fax: (919) 847-0255 Email: info@southteksystems.com Website: www.southteksystems.com