Dilution Purging

The inert gas simply flows through the vessel and

reduces the concentration of unwanted component.
It is used for tanks, reactors. and other vessels.
Use Figure 1 to determine the quantity of inert purge
gas required.
Example: A tank full of air (21% 0,) needs to be
purged to 1% 02. From Figure 1. 3.1 vessel volumes of
inert gas are required.
PressurcGycle Purging
*The vessel at 1 atm is alternately pressured with inert
gas and vented.
*It is used for vessels that can withstand 3Opsig or
more, vessels with only one port, or vessels with coils
or baffles inside. It is useful when pressurization is

needed anyway, such as for testing.The dilution ratio is

(1/P)n
where
P = pressure, atm
n = number of cycles
The quantity of inert gas required for each cycle is P1 vessel volumes.
Example: Purge O2 from 21% to 1%. Use pressurecycle
purging to 5 atm.
Two cycles will do the job since (1/5)' = 0.04 and
O.04(21) = 0.84% 0,. For each cycle, purge volume is
5 - 1 = 4 vessel volumes. So total purge volume is 8
vessel volumes.

Vacuum-Cycle Purging
*The vessel is alternately evacuated and fed with inert gas to 1 atm

*It can only be used for vessels capable of withstanding a vaccum

*Concentration of unwanted component is reduced

from C to CP"
where
C = concentration. %
P = pressure, atm
n = number of cycles

The quantity of inert gas required for each cycle is 1Example: Purge O2 from 21% to 1%. Use vacuumP vessel volumes.
cycle purging to 0.5 atm.
C = 21%; CP" = 1% or 21(0.5)" = 1; ( O S ) " = 0.048
n = 4.4 so use 5 cycles
Purge gas required = 5(1 - 0.5) = 2.5 vessel volumes
Source

Dilution Purging
To find out
Dilution ratio
Press( atm)P
no of cycle n

0.04
5
2

Initial conc %
Final conc %
press cycle purging to
No of cycle

To find out no of
cycle
Press( atm)P
Dilution ratio

2
5
0.04

Each cycle purge volume is

Total purge volumes

O2 %

0.84

Each cycle
purge volume is

Total purge
volume is

Vacuum-Cycle Purging
Initial conc %
Final conc %
press cycle purging to
No of cycle
Each cycle purge volume is
Total purge volumes

ging

Approx
21
1
5
1.891668

4
7.566673

Purging

approx
21

1
0.5
4.392317

0.5
2.196159

2.5