Nitrogen Based I.G.
Systems
Presented by: NARESH SHARMA
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IMO-MARPOL/SOLAS
PROTOCOL 1978 REQUIRES:
Where any explosive mixtures
can be formed inside cargo
spaces, due to the presence of
oxygen from air , air should
replaced by inert gas.
INERT GASES
HELIUM
ARGON
KRYPTON TRUE INERT GASES
NEON
RADON
XENON
These are ruled out of the petroleum trade
due to prohibitive cost.
The Semi-inert gases :
Nitrogen :
is employed with certain cargos;
however this gas is also expensive to
produce.
Carbon Dioxide :
It has the disadvantage of generating
an intense electrostatic field when
injected into a compartment,
when dissolved with water produces a
weak corrosive acid.
CO2 may freeze with sub zero
temperature cargoes (at - 550 C).
THE PURPOSE OF INERT GAS
To prevent a flammable atmosphere
in the tank where hydrocarbon
gases are present.
THE PURPOSE OF INERT GAS
Purging tanks prior to gas freeing (if required).
Purging tanks prior to loading (if required).
Replacing cargo during discharge.
Blanketing usage spaces.
Topping up during voyage.
Inert Gas Generator:
was originally developed to supplement the CO2
flooding system.
In tankers it is used as an independent unit for inerting
the cargo tanks.
The cylindrical shaped, brick lined, horizontally
arranged, furnace is surrounded by a water jacket.
This is connected to vertical combustion chamber,
where the gas flow is baffled, cleaned and cooled .
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Usually a water cooled engine is arranged, to drive fuel pump ,
air blower & an electric generator for s/w pump, which is usually
located at the fwd end of the shaft tunnel.
This pump can be connected to deck fire line & used
as emergency fire pump.
Cooling water can also be supplied from ballast &
general service pump in the engine room.
the control panel has CO2 recorder, water & fuel pr
ggs & alarms.
Approximate analysis of gas:-
O2--- 0-1%, CO--- Nil, CO2--- 14-15%, N2--- 85%
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GAS REQUIREMENTS
Oxygen content
< 1% - LNG, LPG, Chemical tankers.
< 5% - Crude oil tankers, Combination
carriers, Product carriers.
BASIC N2 SYSTEMS IN COMMON USE
ON CHEMICAL TANKERS:
LIQUID NITROGEN PRESSURE
VESSELS
N2 GENERATORS
2
N2 CYLINDERS (BOTTLES)
2
Inert Gas Generator:
was originally developed to supplement the CO2
flooding system.
In tankers it is used as an independent unit for inerting
the cargo tanks.
The cylindrical shaped, brick lined, horizontally
arranged, furnace is surrounded by a water jacket.
This is connected to vertical combustion chamber,
where the gas flow is baffled, cleaned and cooled .
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LIQUID NITROGEN
Liquid nitrogen is obtained from a typical
cryogenic plant with nitrogen purity in the
region of 99.99%, allowing for other minimal
components and less than 15 PPM of
oxygen.
It is stored onboard at a temp. of
approximately -196 °C, in stainless steel
pressure tanks.
These tanks have;
an outer casing of specially coated steel.
an internal storage pressure cylinder .
a vacuum space filled with highly efficient
non-flammable insulation material .
The liquid nitrogen can be stored for an
extended period, without appreciable losses.
The liquid nitrogen is processed
in to nitrogen gas through an
evaporator.
If it is to be stored in a
pressurized deck storage tank or
in cylinders, a compressor is used
to transfer the gas.
A certain amount of liquid always
evaporates any way.
An economic use of the
evaporated gas, is avoiding loss to
the atmosphere through pressure
relief valve in the system.
The deck storage tank can be kept
pressed up , from the boil-off.
N2 GENERATORS
1. Membrane separation type.
2. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
type
MEMBRANE GAS SEPARATOR
MODEL: PARKER BALSTON'S N2-4000
No moving parts.
Requires no electricity.
Proprietary Membrane separation technology
is used.
Existing compressor air supply can be used.
MODEL: PARKER BALSTON'S N2-4000
Separation of air in to its component gases by passing
compressed air at 400 C, through bundles of individual
hollow fiber semi – permeable membranes.
Water vapour and other "Fast" gases such as oxygen
and water vapour permeate through the wall of the
membrane quickly.
Only nitrogen flows through the fiber bores as the
product stream.
The plant can be run in low or high mode.
Diameter of a fiber ~ 0,1 mm (Twice the
diameter of human hair)
Fibers assembled in bundles (350 000
fibers in a 6” bundle)
Technical Specifications - Model N2-4000
Nitrogen Flow/Purity 15 SLM @ 95% Purity @ 90psig / 6.2 bar
8 SLM @ 95% Purity @ 60psig / 4.1 bar
4 SLM @ 99% Purity @ 90psig / 6.2 bar
Suspended Liquids None
Particles < 0.01µm
Outlet 1/4" NPT
Min / Max Operating Pressure 4.1 / 8.6 barg (60/125 psig)
Dimensions 272 x 340 x 409mm
Packaged Weight 19kg
Compressed Air Requirements:
Purity: Free of water, compressor oil, (0.01mg / m3),
hydrocarbons and particulates (<0.1µm)
Temperature: 15 – 43 °C
Pressure: Compressor outlet pressure should not
exceed 10 bar (145 psig)
Problems
Clogging of membrane tubes / seizing of
air compressor;
Reasons;
moist air
failure of control air,
Humid air (low ambient temp., faulty dryer,
clogged auto drain).
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
type
Adsorption is a process whereby a gas or other
substance, accumulates on the surface of a solid,
forming a thin film.
Nitrogen & oxygen, the prime constituents of the air,
are adsorbed to different extents when passed over
the carbon molecular sieves or beds, contained in
pressurized vessels.
The degree of adsorption depends on the time of
exposure. If correctly set, the sieve adsorbs the
oxygen and allows nitrogen to pass
PSA Series - Nitrogen Generators - Pressure Swing
Adsorption
Nitrogen – PSA
Compressed air enters one end of
two adsorber tubes filled with
carbon molecular sieve (CMS).
While the smaller oxygen
molecules are adsorbed by the
CMS, the larger nitrogen molecules
pass through and are stored.
Upon saturation, the first adsorber
releases the oxygen, and the
second adsorber starts the process
over again.
Adsorption and desorption takes place
alternately at equal time intervals.
A continuous generation of nitrogen can be
achieved with two adsorbers, one being
switched at adsorption and the other at
regeneration.
Constant product flow and purity is ensured
by a connected product buffer vessel that
stores the nitrogen at purities up to 99.995%
and pressures up to 7.5 bar(g) / 110 psig.
Thank you!
