Nitrogen Preservation of equipment and pipelines is carried out to prevent corrosion of the metal of

inner surfaces, both as process shutdown (switch to standby mode for a defined and indefinite time,
out of service for the current and midlife repair, general maintenance, emergency shutdown), and at
shutdown in a long term standby or maintenance (reconstruction) for a period of more than 6
months, as well as before commissioning, after chemical cleaning.
Inert gas (nitrogen) is utilized for preservation of the internal surfaces of critical parts (pressure
vessels, heat exchangers, tanks, etc.) manufactured from ferrous and non-ferrous metals and can
be sealed. Nitrogen preservation is also used for chemical equipment designed for operation in an
explosive environment or for the equipment with special requirements regarding the purity of the
internal surfaces in contact with the product.
Nitrogen preservation is used to finally displace water vapor and oxygen to prevent oxidation of the
equipment inner surface.
The essence of nitrogen preservation is to fill the circuit (equipment) and maintain gas overpressure
to prevent ambient oxygen access. The basic requirement for the preservation by gas is the
sufficient nitrogen purity. The oxygen content in the nitrogen used for preservation as well as in the
gas space of the equipment must not exceed 0.5%.
The merit of the nitrogen preservation is defined by reliability, continuance and comprehensive
protection, method efficiency and fast equipment startup after such storing
4. Pressure Vessels
4.1 Storage Area
 Storage will be in a clean paved area.
 Equipment will be stored with all nozzles or support steel clear of the ground.
 Equipment transportation supports or saddles will be checked for soundness and repaired
as necessary.
 This equipment is designated "open area storage" category, but must be provided with
complete tarpaulin covering with free ventilation.
 Ensure all nameplates are intact and secure.
4.2 Protection
Stainless steel (alloys containing more than 10% chromium) equipment, components and
materials shall be externally protected as follows:

 Under cover.
 Not in contact with the soil or with porous supports such as raw wood. Sound protective
coatings, subject to periodical inspection, are acceptable alternatives to covered storage.

In addition, austenitic stainless steel shall not be exposed to salt water, salt spray or salty
atmosphere.
4.2.2 Columns/pressure vessels can be internally preserved either by maintaining them under
nitrogen pressure or by making use of vapor phase corrosion inhibitors.
4.2.3 Site personnel shall be familiarized with the risk of nitrogen containing equipment.
4.2.4 Austenitic stainless steel items can be internally protected in accordance with the following
preservation method:

 Shop installed gaskets and blind flanges shall remain unremoved until installation of
piping.
 Maintenance of a nitrogen blanket on austenitic stainless steel is imperative.
 The nitrogen gas pressure in the equipment shall be checked regularly.

4.2.8 All exposed bolts and flanges shall be coated with a heavy grease.
4.2.9 Verify openings for non-installed instruments. These shall be plugged or blanked off.
4.2.10 For equipment installed in elevated positions attention shall be paid to lightning
protection: the earthing connection shall be made early