PRISM® Shipboard Nitrogen Systems

State-of-the-art Cargo Protection

The nitrogen produced by PRISM® nitrogen systems is extremely dry,
with dew points down to -70°C. When used for inert purging and
blanketing of chemicals or other cargo, it not only minimises the risk of
explosion and fire, but also prevents degradation of cargo sensitive to
oxygen, moisture or combustion by-products. Furthermore, with an
ample onboard supply available, nitrogen can be used more
extensively, without regard to costly and cumbersome cylinder cupply.
One example of such extended use is the purging of cargo lines
between pumping of different cargoes, which, often at the expense of
safety, is still frequently done with air. Super-dry nitrogen is also ideal
as a non-freezing, non-corrosive instrument gas, and for drying of void
spaces like cofferdams, etc.

A Sound Investment
PRISM® nitrogen systems typically generate nitrogen at a cost between one-tenth and one-half the price
of merchant nitrogen. They also save you from paying for ultrahigh purities you never need. With your own
PRISM® system you pre-set the required purity, and, since nitrogen purity and flowrate are inverse
parameters, you turn the reduced purity into high flowrate. The installation of a PRISM® system also
improves a ship's chances of securing freights, as it now is considered its own nitrogen supplier, with
adequate cargo protection at any time.
Permea Maritime Protection can supply your ship with any capacity nitrogen system. Our reference list
covers small systems from 20 Nm3/h up to large systems with capacities greater than 6000 Nm3/h.

PRISM® NITROGEN SYSTEMS

Permea Maritime Protection, the Air Products unit specializing in maritime applications, offers a series of
PRISM® nitrogen systems specially designed for use onboard ships and offshore installations. These
systems generate low-cost gaseous nitrogen on demand as suits the user, and free him from the nuisance
and costs of having nitrogen cylinder racks supplied from ashore. To date systems have been supplied to
nearly 300 ships and 80 offshore installations by Permea Maritime Protection.

How Membranes Work

The air we breathe contains approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases such as argon
and water vapour. PRISM® systems use this unlimited supply of raw material to produce specific purities of
nitrogen.
Selective permeation is the general principle behind a membrane system. Each gas has a characteristic
permeation rate that is a function of its ability to dissolve and diffuse through a membrane. This
characteristic allows "fast" gases such as oxygen to be separated from "slow" gases such as nitrogen. The
driving force of the separation process is the differential partial pressure which is created between the
(compressed) feed air side and the low pressure side of the membranes.
The actual generation of nitrogen takes place in the membrane separator. Each
PRISM® membrane separator consists of a bundle of hollow membrane fibres
in a cylindrical shell, arranged much like a shell and tube heat exchanger. The
compressed air is fed to the inlet end of the separator, and flows inside the
hollow fibres towards the opposite end. On the way the air molecules start to
permeate through the walls of the fibres according to their permeability.
Oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour permeate faster than nitrogen,
and the result is a super-dry nitrogen stream at the outlet end. The secondary
oxygen-rich stream is vented to the atmosphere. PRISM® nitrogen systems
are capable of a full 100% turndown. If nitrogen consumption decreases, the
nitrogen flow will also decrease, resulting in a higher purity of the product
nitrogen. Purities in the range of 95% to 99% are the most common, but
PRISM® membranes can very well produce nitrogen purities at even higher levels.

NITROGEN GENERATORS

The NX5-SS Series of nitrogen generators

manufactured by Gas Control Systems, Inc. are
specially designed for use in harsh environments.
The cabinet and skid are made of stainless steel,
and rubber gasket material at all seams to prevent
water infiltration. All electrical components meet
NEMA 4X standards. 
 Gas Control Systems, Inc. custom builds
nitrogen generator systems using Prism
membrane separators manufactured by
PERMEA, the industry leader of gas
separation technology. 

Permea N2 systems feature specially

engineered separation modules
containing hollow fiber membranes that
selectively remove oxygen, carbon
dioxide, and water vapor to produce an
enriched nitrogen stream. Permea N2
 systems use no combustible fuels, so
there is no worry of combustion hazards
or uncombusted fuels coming in contact
with your products or processing.

Permea nitrogen generator systems are designed

for minimal maintenance and operator attention.
The nitrogen generator can be set into operation
manually by the turn of a switch, or automatically
by a remote system controller.

Prism technology gives you the flexibility to

produce the amount of nitrogen you want, at the
purity you want, when you want. Whether you
need nitrogen for blanketing, sparging, anti-
oxidant, or any other purpose, our representatives
will work with you to develop the system that best
meets your requirements.

Gas Control Systems, Inc. uses Kaeser screw

compressors as the source of compressed air for
the Permea nitrogen generator systems.

NOTE: If you already operate a Permea nitrogen

generator, Gas Control Systems, Inc. can provide
replacement filters and other routine maintenance
items. Our trained technicians can test the 
efficiency of your separator(s), and advise on
possible upgrades to your system to maintain
peak performance.

Gas Control Systems, Inc. understands

that every application and location is
unique. That is why we take care to
custom design each system with a
number of standard and optional features
to suit your particular needs for
instrumentation, air source, and other
i t
 Prism membranes are engineered by
Permea to provide up to 99.9% purity at
flow rates ranging from 5 scfh to 70,000
scfh. Gas Control Systems will put
together the right combination of
membranes to give you just the purity you
need at the flow rates you require.