En 0004

PRAXAIR STANDARD EN-4
ISSUE DATE 6/30/64

REVISION DATE 9/15/03
EFFECTIVE DATE 2/06/06
WRITTEN BY F. J. Clay
PRAXAIR, INC. REVISED BY Z. J. Kowalski
PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY CENTER APPROVED BY J. P. Bernard
TONAWANDA, NY 14151-0044 RELEASED BY J. P. Bernard
DESIGN OF NON-CRYOGENIC OXYGEN SYSTEMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1.0 Scope 3
2.0 Applicable Standards 3
2.1 Praxair Standards 3
2.2 Codes and Standards 4
3.0 Controls and Instrumentation 5
4.0 Operational Safety Requirements 6
4.1 Oxygen Equipment – General 7
4.2 Piping and Piping/Equipment Connections 8
4.3 Valve Materials 16
4.4 Automatic Valves – Valve Action 16
4.5 Safety Relief Valves 17
4.6 Nonmetallic Materials 17
4.7 Equipment Arrangement 18
4.8 Lube Oil Reservoirs 20
4.9 Piping Arrangement 21
4.10 Buildings 22
4.11 Control Room, Store Room, Maintenance Shop, and Office 23
4.12 Barrier and Shield – Application 23
4.13 Barrier and Shield Design Criteria 25
4.14 Oxygen Gas Metering Systems 26
4.15 Silencers and Noise Attenuation Devices 27
4.16 Oxygen Equipment Isolation 28
4.17 Strainers 29
4.18 Thermowells 30
4.19 Orifices 31
4.20 Oxygen Compressor Run-in, Startup and Shutdown 31
4.21 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Installations 32
NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

RESTRICTED DESIGN SAFETY RELATED IN ACCORDANCE
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY WITH PRAXAIR STANDARD SA-5.
Page 1 of 75
Praxair Standard EN-4 (Rev. 9/15/03)
Section Page
4.22 Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor Installations 34
5.0 Typical Oxygen Plant Compression and Delivery System 35
5.1 Oxygen Supply System 35
5.2 Oxygen Compressor System 37
5.3 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Seal Gas System 51
5.4 High-Pressure Oxygen Receiver Storage Systems 54
6.0 Upgrading Existing Oxygen Plant Compression and Delivery Systems 56
7.0 Bypass Valve Maximum Allowable Cv Calculations Definition 57
7.1 Maximum CV Values for Typical Applications 58
7.2 Selection of Bypass Valve Size 59
7.3 Example Calculation 60
Table 7-1 Cv Values with Oxygen at 150°F (66°C) 58
Table 7-4 Typical Cv Values for Manual Globe Valve Sizes 59
Table A Strainers 61
Notes: Notes Associated with Figures 62
Figure 1 Typical Oxygen Plant Compression and Delivery System 63
Figure 2 Typical Separation Unit Delivery System 64
Figure 3 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor System 65
Figure 4 Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor System 66
Figure 5 High-Pressure Gaseous Oxygen Storage System 67
Figure 6 Air Separation Unit (ASU) Isolation 68
Figure 7 Oxygen Vent Valve and Silencer 69
Figure 8 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Gas and Oil Seal System 70
Figure 9 Oxygen Compressor Suction Isolation 71
Figure 10 Oxygen Compressor Recirculation Valve 71
Figure 11 Oxygen Compressor Discharge Isolation 72
Figure 12 Oxygen Compressor Run-In Control and Isolation 73
Figure 13 Oxygen Manual and Automatic Isolation Valves 74
Figure 14 Oxygen Pipeline Check Valves 74
Figure 15 Barrier Wall Criteria for Typical Oxygen Compressor 75

Page 2 of 75
1.0 SCOPE
This Standard defines requirements for designing safe, functional and reliable dry oxygen
systems operating up to 5000 psig [34,474 kPa(g)]. This Standard defines the operational safety
requirements for these systems concerning plant layout, piping, piping components, materials of
construction and instrumentation.
This Standard addresses requirements for non-cryogenic (i.e., “warm end”) gaseous oxygen
systems. Cryogenic systems are addressed in Praxair Standard EN-18.
Tables in Section 4.0 of this Standard contain generic descriptions of recommended practices
to mitigate the hazard addressed, whereas the information presented in Section 5.0 of this Standard
are specific to the items of Figures 1 through 15. Section 6.0 of this Standard addresses upgrading
existing oxygen plant compression and delivery systems.
Requirements in this Standard apply to oxygen purities obtained in a typical air separation
plant. For ultrahigh purity (UHP) systems, (those that require cleaning in accordance with Praxair
Standard GS-37) additional requirements may apply and are not covered by this Standard. Praxair
Standard EN-6 defines material requirements for varying levels of oxygen purity.
2.0 APPLICABLE STANDARDS
2.1 Praxair Standards
The following is a list of Praxair Standards, and code requirements specifically

referenced in this document. This list does not necessarily include all Standards that may be
applicable to the subject matter. For other applicable Standards, refer to the Praxair Standards Index.
• GS-6 Centrifugal Compressor Specification
• GS-6.1 Centrifugal Compressor Specification – Oxygen Service
• GS-11 Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Specification
• GS-14 Gas Pulsation Dampener Specification
• GS-16 Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor Specification
• GS-31 Gaseous Storage Receiver Specification
• GS-38 Praxair Class 2 (Oxygen) Cleaning
• GS-44 Vent Silencer Specification – Oxygen Service
• EN-5 Material Selection for Valves in Oxygen Service
• EN-6 Maximum Allowable Velocities of Gaseous Oxygen in Piping and Piping
Components (Including Pressure and Nonpressure Vessels)

Page 3 of 75
• EN-9 Installation of Rotating and Reciprocating Machinery Vibration Switches

• EN-16 Praxair Policy Regarding the Application of the ASME Code for Pressure
Piping
• EN-26 Pipe-Thread Sealants for Oxygen Service
• EN-28 In-Plant Noise Control
• EN-31 Low Temperature Piping Protection Systems
• EN-33 Ventilation and Monitoring for Safe Breathing Atmospheres at Praxair
Facilities
• EN-37 Low Ambient Temperature Design Considerations for On-Site Air
Separation Plants
• EN-39 Installation of Kirk Cells on Oxygen Pipelines
• EN-42 Safe Venting of Process Gas From Air Separation Plant Vents
• EN-45 Plant Layout, Design, and Installation Requirements
• MPS-14 Conical Line Strainer for Oxygen Service – 2” to 5” Pipe Size
• MPS-24 Flexitallic Spiral-Wound Gaskets for use with Welding Neck, Socket
Welding and Lap Joint Flanges, in Oxygen Service
• PO-1 Praxair Standards Program
• PO-23 Certification of Nonmetallic Materials for Oxygen Service
• SA-5 Design Safety Process
• SA-39-7 Operational Safety Standards – Pipeline Break Prevention & Mitigation
• SA-39-8 Operational Safety Standards – Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Energy
Release Prevention
• SA-39-9 Operational Safety Standards – Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor
Energy Release Prevention
• SA-39-50 Operational Safety Standards – Safe Oxygen Delivery System
Pressurization
2.2 Codes and Standards
For system components to be used in the USA, or at locations where there are no
local code requirements, the Equipment shall conform to the following codes and standards. For
other locations, the equivalent local pressure vessel codes and standards shall apply in accordance
with Praxair Standard EN-3.

Page 4 of 75
Type of Association, EN-4

Organization or Section Reference U.S. Codes
Institute Description Reference & Standards
National Standards All applicable portions 2.2 American National
Standards Institute
(ANSI)
Piping Design 4.2 American Society of
Mechanical Engineers
(ASME) B 31.3
Socket welding, Butt 4.2; American Society of
welding and Thread end Mechanical Engineers
5.2
forged fittings (ASME) B 16.9 and B
Item 16;
16.11
Table A
Piping Sizes 4.2; American Society of
Table A
(ASME) B36.10
Piping Threads 4.2; American Society of
Table A
(ASME) B1.20.1
Flanges 4.2; American Society of
Table A
(ASME) B 16.5 and
B16.47
Expansion Joint Manu- Expansion Joint Design 4.2 Expansion Joint Manu-
facturers Association facturers Association
(EJMA)
Mechanical Engineering All applicable portions 2.2 American Society of
Society Mechanical Engineers
(ASME)
Fire Protection Agency All applicable portions 2.2
Flammable material 4.10 National Fire
storage Protection Agency
(NFPA) 1 and 30
3.0 CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION
The subject matter descriptions in Section 5.0 of this Standard and the related Figures present
typical controls that are required for both attended and unattended installations. The degree of
instrumentation is based on the following factors:

Page 5 of 75
• Providing a safe working environment for plant personnel,
• Providing a safe environment for the neighboring populace,
• Preventing damage to neighboring property,
• Minimizing the effects of Equipment damage caused by a plant emergency, and
• Maintaining a continuous supply of oxygen product to the customers, if feasible.
Note: Instrumentation associated with Equipment within barrier/shields is for machinery

protection and is not a design safety issue per definition in Praxair Standard SA-5
unless its failure could lead to a hazardous condition outside of the barrier.
4.0 OPERATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Oxygen is not flammable but is an active element that supports combustion. Materials
which, are nonflammable at atmospheric oxygen concentrations, may become flammable in oxygen-
enriched atmospheres. As it is necessary to use many of these materials in oxygen systems, it is
important to use those materials that not only meet service requirements, but also are not considered
to be susceptible to ignition at the said oxygen purity, pressure, and temperature.
Flammability of metals is strongly influenced by oxygen purity, pressure, temperature and

material thickness. This effect can be used to justify substitution of more cost-effective alloys in
certain applications such as those involving lower purity oxygen-enriched environments, for which
experimental data or other information is available supporting such utilization. Refer to Praxair
Standard EN-6.
Flammability of nonmetallic materials is less influenced by oxygen purity. Generally, it is

advisable to use Praxair Materials Engineering Laboratory (MEL) approved oxygen compatible
nonmetallic in oxygen enriched atmospheres irrespective of the level of enrichment.
Potential ignition sources in oxygen systems include high-velocity particle impact, friction,
erosion, friction between rotating and stationary components, mass impact, adiabatic compression
and electrical discharge. System designs shall control these sources to minimize the potential for
ignition.
Removable pipe spool(s) shall be designed into the piping system to ensure that the piping
can be blown clean and cleaning verified.
Approved processes such as sandblasting shall be used to clean carbon steel piping.
Subsequently, the piping shall be blown out to remove any sandblast residue and debris. The piping
shall be inspected to verify that it has been adequately cleaned. Refer to Praxair Standard GS-38.

Page 6 of 75
The piping between the oxygen compressor and the battery limit or customer tie-in point
shall be blown clean with dry, oil-free air or nitrogen gas. The piping spools designed into the
system piping shall be used to accomplish this requirement.
The locations of all velocity-exempt piping, connections/taps, and removable pipe spools to
be used for cleaning access and cleanliness verification, and the piping material specification to be
applied, shall be identified and noted on the Process and Instrumentation Diagram (P & ID).
Equipment designs shall be verified to assure that no mixing or any contact of oxygen with
hydrocarbons and/or other contaminants is possible.
Any oils that are supplied or used in manufacturing and/or testing of oxygen service
Equipment shall fluoresce under black light. In the event that these oils do not fluoresce, dyes shall
be added to obtain fluorescence. Praxair MEL shall approve dyes used for this purpose.
Fires in oxygen compressors and associated Equipment are typically intense but of short
duration, usually lasting no more than one to two minutes. The fires are terminated by the loss of
oxygen upon burn-through in the oxygen compressor or piping system and isolation of the oxygen
source. Fires in oxygen Equipment may be confined inside the Equipment, but often burn through
the thinner walled parts of the system to spray flames and molten metal. Protection of personnel can
be achieved by the installation of barrier/shields that maintain their integrity when subjected to
pressure release, flames, and spraying molten metal for the time necessary for the oxygen supply to
be depleted.
Oxygen releases from vents and pressure relief devices shall be directed and controlled to
prevent the development of oxygen enriched atmospheres in areas that could become hazards. Refer
to Praxair Standard EN-42.
4.1 Oxygen Equipment – General
Hazard: Fire due to presence of contaminants
Required Hazard
Mitigation & Control Recommended Practice
Equipment for use in Equipment, piping, piping components and instrumentation
oxygen service shall be shall be cleaned in accordance with Praxair Standard GS-38.
cleaned for oxygen service
Instrument tubing connected to the oxygen system shall be
cleaned in accordance with Praxair Standard GS-38.

Page 7 of 75
Required Hazard
Supplier cleaning procedures or Standards shall be reviewed
and approved by the MEL to verify compliance with the
applicable Praxair cleaning Standards (i.e., GS-38). This
review and approval shall be completed prior to allowing a
Supplier to use said cleaning procedures or Standards.
Gas in tube heat exchanger designs shall be used to allow
confirmation of cleanliness.
After cleaning, all components shall be protected from
recontamination as defined in the above referenced Standard,
as applicable.
For areas where cleanliness cannot be maintained, such as
discharge or vent pipes open to the atmosphere (i.e., pressure
relief valves, vent valves, etc.), only materials that are velocity
exempt at the maximum expected discharge conditions (i.e.,
flow, purity, pressure, and temperature) shall be used. Refer
to Praxair Standard EN-6, and Figure 7 in this Standard.
Pressure transmitter fill The fill fluid of pressure transmitters in oxygen service to a
fluids shall be compatible maximum of 350 psig [2414 kPa(g)] shall be Dow Corning
with oxygen at the in- 200 Silicone Fluid. Above 350 psig [2414 kPa(g)], the fill
strument location. fluid shall be a chlorotrifluorethylene oil (Inert fill).
4.2 Piping and Piping/Equipment Connections
Hazard: Failure and loss of containment and/or high velocity particle impact.
Required Hazard
Piping shall be designed Design in accordance with the applicable local process piping
using recognized national code and Praxair Standards EN-6 and EN-16.
and Praxair Standards.
Above ground portions of Install Polarization Cell Replacement (PCR) in accordance
underground oxygen with Praxair Standard EN-39
pipelines shall be designed
to prevent damage from
lightning strikes.
Velocities in the piping Pipe sizes, piping and component design and material selec-
shall be limited commen- tion shall be in accordance with the velocity limitations
surate with the flammability defined in Praxair Standard EN-6.
of the piping material.

Page 8 of 75
Required Hazard
Where high velocity oxygen gas can flow into safety relief
valves, blowdown valves, run-in valves, etc., piping or vessel
nozzles associated with the valve shall be designed to meet the
requirements of Praxair Standard EN-6.
Pipe sizing shall be selected on the basis of the maximum flow
at all operating conditions, using the maximum flow, the
maximum temperature, the minimum pressure and taking into
account the velocities associated with the opening of pressure
relief valves assuming that the upstream control valve has
failed open.
Velocities may be limited through the use of:
(1) mechanical stops on the control valve,
(2) flow limiting orifices, or
(3) inherent flow limiting devices which, may be part of the
system (i.e., meters, etc.).
All flow-limiting devices should be specified using the
requirements of Praxair Standard EN-6.
The vent piping downstream of pressure relief and vent valves
shall be of velocity exempt materials at the service conditions.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-6, and Figure 7 in this
Standard.
Velocities in the piping If velocity-exempt piping materials for the conditions of
shall be limited commen- service are not used throughout the piping distribution system,
surate with the flammability bypass valves shall be used to initially pressurize or re-
of the piping material, pressurize downstream or upstream piping, piping
during pressurization. components, and/or equipment, prior to the opening of
process valves.
Downstream or upstream piping, piping components, and/or
equipment shall be pressurized or repressurized to the
minimum possible operating pressure, then the full system
should be raised to the final operating pressure.
The sizing of bypass valves shall be governed by the
requirements as defined in Section 7.0 of this Standard.
Opening of process valves without previous pressurization to
within 15 psi [103.5 kPa] differential pressure could result in
unacceptable pipe velocities in the piping being pressurized.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-45.

Page 9 of 75
Required Hazard
Automatic Isolation Valves: Pressurization valves and piping
of velocity exempt materials, shall be installed around all
automatic isolation valves, where the potential for generating
unacceptable pipe velocities exists. Bypass valves shall
originate and end within the confines of the associated
velocity exempt piping, as illustrated in Figures of this
Standard. Refer to Section 4.3 of this Standard.
Automatic Isolation Valves: Isolation valves shall be
instrumented with differential pressure control devices to
prevent unintentional opening of the valve with a differential
pressure greater than 15 psi [103.5 kPa]. This will prevent
unacceptable gas velocities from occurring in the upstream or
downstream piping. Control devices shall have a permissive
function.
Differential pressure control device(s) shall originate and end
within the confines of the associated velocity exempt piping.
This may be an electronic soft switch.
Manual Isolation Valves: Pressurization valves and piping of
velocity exempt materials, shall be installed around all
manual isolation valves, where the potential for generating
Manual Isolation Valves: Adequate plant process pressure
monitoring instrumentation shall be provided to verify that the
upstream and downstream pressures are within 15 psi [103.5
kPa] prior to opening of the manual isolation valve.
Manual Isolation Valves: Manual isolation valves shall be
tagged with the following caution label: Do not operate
manual isolation valve X....X unless the differential pressure is
less than or equal to15 psi [103.5 kPa]: Bypass Valve B....X
shall be used to equalize the pressure differential to within 15
psi [103.5 kPa] when required.
Pressure Control Valves: Pressurization valves and piping of
velocity-exempt materials, shall be installed around all
pressure control valves, where the potential for generating

Page 10 of 75
Required Hazard
Pressure Control Valves: Pressure control valves shall be
instrumented with the capability to monitor differential
pressure. Since pressure control valves will normally operate
with a high differential pressure, there is no differential
pressure permissive required.
Pressure Control valves may also serve as automatic isolation
valves.
Pressurization of systems through the use of pressure control
valves shall follow approved procedures.
Refer to Praxair Standard SA-39-50.
Piping shall be constructed Velocity exempt piping materials shall extend for a minimum
of proper materials as to length of 8 valve diameters (8D) upstream and downstream
prevent damage, minimize of valves and other high velocity devices such as DB plates,
personnel exposure, and valves, etc. The minimum length of 8 valve diameters (8D)
possibility of creating an shall begin after the velocity returns to the allowable velocity
oxygen-enriched for the normal piping materials (i.e., pipe reducers, pipe
atmosphere in areas expanders, DB plates, etc.). Refer to Figures 6, 7, and 9
frequented by personnel. through 14 of this Standard. The velocity exempt piping
materials are required when high velocity can occur across
The above criterion
the valve or device during any of the following modes:
applies, even though
process gas may be flowing a.) Normal operation: (i.e., throttling control valve and a Db
in other than design plate). Refer to Figure 10 of this Standard.
directions.
b.) Start-up: Including pressurization (i.e., opening a
control, bypass, or isolation valve to pressurize
downstream or upstream piping where there is higher
pressure on one side of the valve then the other). Refer to
Figures 6, 11 and 13 of this Standard
c.) Shutdown and maintenance: Including depressurization
(i.e., depressurization of a section of piping using a vent
valve). Refer to Figures 6 and 11 of this Standard
d.) Valve Leakage: (i.e., developing a leak through an
isolation valve resulting in high velocities across the
valve). Refer to Figure14 of this Standard.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-6 to select the acceptable
velocity exempt material as a function of design oxygen
purity, pressure, temperature, and material thickness.

Page 11 of 75
Required Hazard
Piping shall be constructed The following devices require the adjacent piping to be of a
of proper materials as to velocity-exempt material for a minimum length of 8 valve
prevent damage, minimize diameters (8D):
personnel exposure, and
a.) Control and Isolation (manual or automatic) valves
possibility of creating an
require velocity exempt piping materials downstream and
oxygen-enriched
upstream, with the following exception:
atmosphere in areas
frequented by personnel. When the maximum possible pressure is 15 psig [103.5
(continued) kPa(g)] or less on either the downstream or upstream
sides, velocity-exempt materials are not required for the
The above criterion applies,
adjacent piping (i.e., a valve leak can result in a velocity
even though process gas
across that valve that exceeds the Praxair Standard EN-6
may be flowing in other
allowable velocity but the velocity in the adjacent piping
than design directions.
will be low).
Refer to Figures 6, 7 and 11 through 14 of this Standard.
b.) Check valves are designed to open in the flow direction
with low-pressure drop across the valve. Velocity
exempt materials are not required downstream of a check
valve.
If the higher pressure is on the downstream side and the
low pressure is on the upstream side, as can occur
during Equipment maintenance, there can be leaks
across the check valve. The resulting high velocity
requires that velocity-exempt materials be used on the
upstream side. Refer to Figure 14 of this Standard.
c.) Flow orifices are designed for low-pressure drop across
the orifice. Therefore, velocity exempt materials are not
required adjacent to the orifice.
d.) Db plates and flow limiting orifices are designed for
high-pressure drop at high flow rates. Therefore,
velocity-exempt materials are required adjacent to the
device. Both upstream and downstream piping needs to
be considered. Refer to Figure 10 of this Standard.
e.) Manual vent valves require velocity-exempt piping
materials downstream and upstream based on gas
velocities.

Page 12 of 75
Required Hazard
When a connection or valve For vent valves (including oxygen compressor) the initial
is allowed to discharge to flow rate when the valve opens due to a system malfunction is
the atmosphere, the limited by the sizing (its maximum flow rate) of the vent
connection and/or valve valve. Therefore, the vent piping shall be sized for the
inlet piping material shall maximum flow rate of the vent valve.
be selected based on the
valve maximum flow.
Safety relief valves and piping vent and drain valves shall
use velocity-exempt materials for the upstream and
downstream piping.
All coupling and Weldolet type fitting installation
arrangements shall allow for the flowing oxygen gas to be in
contact with velocity-exempt material upon entering the
penetrating connection point.
All piping and equipment vents, drains, instrument and spare
taps/connections located on the oxygen process gas side of
oxygen system components (i.e., field piping, compressor
volutes/scrolls/cylinders, interconnecting gas piping,
pulsation bottles, silencers, coolers, etc.) shall be constructed
of velocity-exempt materials using coupling or Weldolet type
fittings.
Connections using couplings shall be installed so that the
velocity-exempt material of the coupling fully penetrates the
wall of the component or pipe in which it is installed (refer to
Detail 1).
FLOW
VELOCITY EXEMPT
MATERIAL
1/16"
NOTE: Top entry connections are preferred

whenever possible for cleanliness reasons.
Detail 1

Page 13 of 75
Required Hazard
Weldolet fittings shall only be used if the main component or
pipe is of velocity-exempt material.
Instrument taps where the instrument tubing can be removed
and the piping depressurized through the instrument isolation
valve shall use velocity-exempt materials for the tap and
tubing/piping.
All vent and drain isolation valves, located on both the
oxygen and coolant side of oxygen compression system
coolers shall be suitable for oxygen service. These
valves shall be of velocity exempt materials, as defined
in Praxair Standard EN-5.
This requirement assures that the valves on the oxygen
circuit are suitable for oxygen service.
When a valve discharges to The re-circulation piping material shall be selected on the
a lower pressure level, the basis of the maximum flow rate of the re-circulation valve.
connection and/or valve
inlet and outlet piping
material shall be selected
for the maximum flow
possible.
When the source of the The control valve inlet and outlet piping shall be sized for the
oxygen is not limiting the maximum valve capacity
flow through a control
valve.
Block and bleed system is The oxygen side block valve, bleed valve and the piping
required where nitrogen or between the bleed valves shall all be suitable for oxygen
prepurified air enters the service, for a minimum length of 8 valve diameters (8D),
oxygen system, such as run- upstream of the oxygen side block valve.
in gas.
The piping between the oxygen side block valve and the bleed
valve shall be equal to 5 pipe diameters (5PD) at minimum.
The nitrogen side block valve may be specified for nitrogen
or air service.
The piping between the nitrogen side block valve and the
bleed valve shall be equal to 10 pipe diameters (10PD) at
minimum.
Refer to Figure 12 of this Standard.

Page 14 of 75
Required Hazard
Seal gas leakage recovery When the velocity of the oxygen seal gas recovery piping,
piping systems. exceeds the Praxair Standard EN-6 allowable velocity,
velocity exempt material shall be used. Under such
conditions both equipment based and field-based oxygen seal
gas recovery piping, from the seal shall be of velocity-exempt
materials.
Branch piping connecting When the oxygen flow is from the branch into the run of a
into the run of a piping tee. tee, and when the Praxair Standard EN-6 criteria requires
that the tee be constructed of velocity-exempt materials, the
length of the run shall be considered to ensure that the run
size is adequate for particle impingement.
When the tee is a commercial tee per ASME B16.9 or B16.11,
the tee run length provides an adequate surface for particle
impingement. When the branch is a fitting such as a
coupling or Weldolet, the run pipe opposite the branch shall
be constructed of velocity-exempt material for a minimum
length equal to 4 times the nominal branch diameter.
Flexible metal hose usage. Flexible metal hose can be used in oxygen service
provided that the thin bellows section is of a material
that is exempt from the minimum material thickness
requirement up to the piping design pressure.
Expansion joint usage. Use of expansion joints should be avoided if possible.
When expansion joints must be used the following shall
apply:
Horizontal installation of expansion joints should be avoided.
Expansion joints shall be designed in accordance with the
ASME B31.3 Code and the Expansion Joint Manufacturers
Association (EJMA) Standard or applicable local codes.
An internal liner shall be used to protect the bellows from the
gas stream and potential particle impingement, with
materials of construction in compliance with Praxair
Standard EN-6.
Care shall be exercised to design the liner in accordance with
EJMA such that the fluid velocity will not produce resonant
vibration of the bellows.

Page 15 of 75
4.3 Valve Materials
Hazard: Fire due to high velocity particle impact.
Required Hazard
Mitigation & Control
Recommended Practice
Valves shall be fabricated Valves listed at left shall be constructed of velocity exempt
from metallic materials materials, in the sections of the valve that are in the oxygen
that are not flammable flow stream.
under the service
The Praxair Valve Selection Charts (VSC) lists approved
condition, and nonmetallic
valves for specified process requirements.
materials that have the
lowest flammability under The minimum material thickness of any component in an
the service conditions. oxygen flow stream shall be considered when determining
the controlling thickness. Many valves have a thin raised
These requirements apply
section in the seat area or throat area, which will control the
to the following valve
acceptable materials of construction.
services:
• Isolation Valves Valves operating at relatively low pressures (i.e., less than 15
psig [103.5 kPa(g)]) that develop leaks can exceed the
• Control Valves
allowable velocities defined in Praxair Standard EN-6.
• Safety Relief Valves
Soft seat material such as Teflon® or Kel-F may be used
• Check Valves where required for tight shutoff. Alternate soft seat materials
• Special Service Valves may be used when approved by the MEL.
Valves listed at left should be located close coupled (at least
2 valve diameters (2D) minimum) to one another and within
the confines of the associated velocity exempt piping, as
defined in Section 4.2 and illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 10
through 14 of this Standard. Close coupling of these valves
will minimize the use of velocity exempt piping and
minimize the number and location of repressurization valve
systems.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-5 for acceptable valve
materials.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-6 for acceptable piping and
piping component materials
4.4 Automatic Valves – Valve Action
Hazard: Fire due to adiabatic compression. Where the valve opening response rate is
extremely fast, there is the possibility of generating adiabatic compression
temperatures in excess of the ignition temperature of certain materials. This
could occur, for example, if the valve discharges upon opening into a small
dead-ended volume.

Page 16 of 75
Required Hazard
Piping system design shall Consideration shall be given to the flow characteristics in the
consider the possibility of piping configuration downstream of the valve discharge and
adiabatic compression. to the proper selection of materials.
Piping and valve materials shall be selected in accordance
with the requirements defined in Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of this
Standard.
4.5 Safety Relief Valves
Hazard: Fire due to high velocity particle impact.
Required Hazard
Safety relief valves shall Safety relief valves shall be fabricated from the materials
have materials suitable for shown in Praxair Standard EN-5.
oxygen service at throttling
conditions.
Piping and valve materials shall be selected in accordance
with the requirements defined in Section 4.2 and 4.3 of this
Standard.
4.6 Nonmetallic Materials
Hazard: Ignition of the nonmetallic material, which can then act as an ignition
promoter for metallic materials.
Required Hazard
All nonmetallic materials Valve Packing – Acceptable materials are virgin Teflon or
(gaskets, packings, seals, GRAFOIL®. Styles may be cup-and-cone or chevron type,
etc.) used in oxygen service mechanical seals or rope type. Packings should be
shall be approved for their manufactured dry on “non-lubricated” machines since oils or
particular application. greases within the packings may not be completely removed
during the cleaning operation.
Gaskets – Acceptable gaskets for use in oxygen piping
systems include GRAFOIL® Grade GHR, and Flexitallic
spiral wound gaskets in accordance with Praxair Standard
MPS-24.

Page 17 of 75
Required Hazard
Flexitallic gaskets cannot be used with slip-on flanges.
Due to geometry differences between flexitallic gaskets and
slip-on flanges, cantilevered parts of the flexitallic gaskets
can fatigue and break off.
When GRAFOIL Grade GHR gaskets are specified, the
specification must state: The gaskets must be labeled:
“GRAFOIL GHR. Substitutions are not permitted”
Alternate nonmetallic sealing materials may be used if
approved by the Praxair MEL.
The procedure for approval is presented in Praxair Standard
PO-23.
Thread Sealant shall conform to the requirements of Praxair
Standard EN-26.
Coolants used in closed Oxygen Compressor Coolant – Ethylene glycol solutions
circuit oxygen compressor used in closed circuit oxygen compressor cooling systems
cooling systems shall have shall be Interstate Chemicals O2-E or DOWTHERM SR-1.
auto-ignition temperatures Propylene glycol solutions shall be Interstate Chemicals O2-
greater than compressor P. No other solutions shall be used.
discharge temperatures,
low heats of combustion
(approximately 700 to 900
cal/gram), and a low
residue upon drying (less
than 2% by weight).
4.7 Equipment Arrangement
Hazard: Injury to personnel and/or damage to adjacent Equipment in the event of an

Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Equipment shall be located The locations of automatic, manual isolation and check
and positioned so as to valves, the location of Equipment barrier/shields, the
minimize personnel selection of special materials of construction, and the degree
exposure in case of an of monitoring and building isolation should all be evaluated
incident. in terms of personnel protection.
Oxygen compressors should be located as remote as the
layout permits from other Equipment, exit doors, personnel
traffic aisles, control rooms and other plant Equipment.

Page 18 of 75
Required Hazard
Reciprocating oxygen compressors should be oriented such
that the cylinders are located away from personnel aisles, exit
doors, offices, control rooms, and other Equipment where
possible.
Locate points in piping most subject to burn through so that
the hazard to personnel is minimized.
Oxygen compressor installations shall be designed so that
personnel access to machines when they are running on
oxygen at 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)] and above is not required.
Barrier/shields are Barrier/shields also may be required for oxygen compressors
required for all oxygen operating below 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)] depending upon type
compressors operating of machine, locations or specific design considerations.
above 300 psig [2068
Refer to Section 4.12 of this Standard for specific
kPa(g)].
requirements.
If used, local oxygen The panel should be located a minimum of 15 feet [4.5 m]
compressor startup panels from the oxygen compressor and it should be located to give
shall be located such that maximum personnel protection. The panel should be
protection is provided to positioned at the driver end of centrifugal and reciprocating
personnel operating the oxygen compressors or at the low-pressure end of multistage
compressor for those reciprocating oxygen compressors.
machines not located in
The panel face should be on the side away from the oxygen
barrier/shields.
compressor so personnel facing the panel will be shielded
from the compressor. The panel should be of steel
construction, extend to floor (or grade) level, and be of
sufficient height and width to act as a personnel shield during
startup and shutdown. If required, the panel should be
extended with shielding to provide this protection.
The panel location relative to the rest of the plant should, to
the maximum extent possible, permit shielded access to the
building or plant exits in an emergency.

Page 19 of 75
4.8 Lube Oil Reservoirs
Hazard: Fire in a lube oil system, which may spread to the oxygen compressor or a
fire in the oxygen compressor, which spreads to the lube oil system.
Required Hazard
The potential for a fire in Lube oil reservoirs that are not an integral part of skidded
the lube oil system or the Equipment assemblies should be located at the driver (motor)
oxygen compressor end of the unit so they are shielded as much as possible from
spreading to the other units the process. These lube oil reservoirs should be located
shall be minimized. outside the barriers/shields for oxygen compressors that are
enclosed.
Oil vents shall discharge outside the barrier or shield and be
directed away from air intakes, walking/climbing surfaces,
and areas of possible oxygen enrichment due to venting of
process gas. The vent should be provided with an oil mist
collection device in accordance with applicable
environmental requirements.
To minimize the quantity of oil that might be involved in a
fire, lube oil reservoirs from separate machines should not be
located near each other. Spacing between reservoirs should
be a minimum of 25 feet [7.5 m], except where the reservoirs
are separated by the machines or by a firewall.
The lube oil reservoir shall be fitted with an oil level switch,
which will prevent heater operation with the heating
elements exposed to lube oil fumes on the basis of low lube
oil level.
The lube oil reservoir shall be fitted with pressure control
device, which will alarm on the basis of the loss of gearbox
vacuum for centrifugal oxygen compressors.

Page 20 of 75
4.9 Piping Arrangement
Hazard: Fire due to damage to piping leading to a loss of containment; personnel

injury arising from a fire in the piping; or the creation of an oxygen-enriched
area due to venting or leakage.
Required Hazard
Piping shall be located Locate piping at one side of building(s) or in one area of the
where it is least subject to plant and outside of buildings if practical.
damage, minimizes
Oxygen compressor piping should enter and leave buildings
personnel exposure, and
in the most direct route.
also minimizes the possi-
bility of creating an Locate oxygen piping as far as possible from the air
oxygen-enriched compressor, switchgear, offices and control room.
atmosphere in areas
Install a change of direction pipe fitting (i.e., elbow, and tee)
frequented by personnel.
within a short distance downstream of throttling valves or
Equipment such as oxygen compressors or meters. Locate
the elbows/tees no closer to throttling valves than 8 valve
diameters (8D) (preferred), or the elbows/tees should be
constructed of material suitable for the service conditions.
Refer to Praxair Standard EN-6 for impingement point design
criteria.
Safety relief valve discharges shall be piped to the outside of
the barrier, or building if the oxygen compressor is indoors.
Piping in and around Process and utility piping for oxygen compressors should be
oxygen compressor designed so that valves that require adjustment during
barrier/shields shall be operation on oxygen are located outside of oxygen
designed to minimize compressor barrier/shields for safe operation.
personnel exposure to the
Hot gas piping leaving the oxygen compressor (i.e., before a
potential hazards of oxygen
cooler) shall contain at least one elbow prior to exiting a
system fires.
barrier/shield. This elbow shall be shielded by a
barrier/shield to prevent material from exiting the barrier in
case of an elbow burn through.
Oxygen compressors installed indoors without barrier/shields
should have the first elbow located outside the building, if
feasible.
Locate points in piping Gaseous oxygen piping may be installed underground or
most subject to the creation under floor slabs if required. For these applications, pipe
of an oxygen-enriched area joints should be welded, and cathodic protection for
due to venting or leakage corrosion prevention should be provided.
so that the hazard to
Valve pits shall not be used in conjunction with oxygen
personnel is minimized.
piping systems or pipelines.

Page 21 of 75
Required Hazard
Preferably, safety relief valves should be located outdoors.
The outlet of oxygen safety relief valves and vent valves shall
be piped outside of buildings. Praxair Standard EN-42
defines the criteria for design of process vents to avoid
oxygen-enriched areas at grade level or near platforms.
4.10 Buildings
Hazard: Fire due to the creation of oxygen-enriched atmospheres, asphyxiation due

to creation of oxygen-deficient atmospheres and personnel injury arising
from an Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Building features shall take Combustible materials should be avoided in buildings
into consideration the housing oxygen Equipment.
possibility of an oxygen-
Ventilation requirements for buildings and enclosed spaces
enriched or deficient
shall meet the requirements of Praxair Standard EN-33.
atmosphere and the
characteristics of oxygen-
enhanced combustion.
Features shall be provided Open flame heaters shall not be installed in oxygen
that protects personnel compressor buildings.
from foreseeable
Lubricating oils and greases shall be stored as defined in
Equipment incidents.
NFPA Standards and separated from oxygen compression
Equipment and piping.
If oxygen compression Equipment is installed within a
building, protective barrier/shields for Equipment isolation
should be installed where necessary to protect personnel and
other items of Equipment from a fire either in the
compression system or the associated throttling valves.
If sheet metal is used for building walls, shielding should be
provided in the oxygen compressor areas. Ventilation
louvers or glass windows should be avoided along building
walls adjacent to product oxygen compressors.
A compression room or building shall have several exit doors
placed so as to provide multiple free and unobstructed egress
paths for use in case of an emergency. Doors shall open in
direction of egress, have windows, and be equipped with
panic bars to permit quick operation.

Page 22 of 75
Required Hazard
Windows shall be approved safety glass. If doors are
equipped with locks, these locks shall not interfere with
egress from the building.
4.11 Control Room, Storeroom, Maintenance Shop, and Office
Hazard: Personnel injury arising from an Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
The control room, Isolate the control room and office to as great an extent as
storeroom, maintenance possible from the oxygen compressors, and throttling valves.
shop and office locations
Control room, storeroom and office walls, which could be
shall be selected to
exposed to an energy release shall be constructed of
minimize the exposure of
reinforced concrete block or equivalent (i.e., blast
operating personnel to
containment walls).
potentially hazardous
conditions.
4.12 Barrier and Shield – Application
Hazard: Injury to personnel and/or damage to adjacent Equipment arising from an

Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Where natural isolation of Barriers or shields are required:
Equipment is difficult or
• For oxygen compressors with a design or operating
impractical, barriers or
discharge pressure of 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)] and higher.
shields shall be used to
provide the necessary • Between two or more adjacent oxygen compressors with
isolation. discharge pressures of 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)] and higher
(Refer to exception below for oxygen compressors in
Protective shields in areas
tandem functioning as a single compressor).
adjacent to compression
Equipment and metering • For all Clark centrifugal oxygen compressors regardless of
Equipment shall be discharge pressure.
provided for the safety of Entrance into barrier areas when the oxygen compressor is
operating personnel if a set to operate below 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)] shall be
hazard is deemed to exist accomplished only after review of and following appropriate
during startup, shutdown, safety procedures.
or routine maintenance
operations.

Page 23 of 75
Required Hazard
Additional considerations for using barriers or shields are as
follows:
• Oxygen compressors, regardless of pressure, in cases where
there is an inadequate operating history for that type or
model of unit.
• Between oxygen compressors with discharge pressures less
than 300 psig [2068 kPa(g)]. When employed, site specific
procedures for access to the oxygen compressor area for
this type of situation shall be documented.
• For oxygen compressors located in personnel high traffic
areas
• The interstage piping and coolers of mezzanine-mounted
inline style oxygen compressors with coolers under the
compressor operating deck. Barrier or shield shall be
provided with adequate ventilation as defined in this
Standard
For centrifugal oxygen compressors:
• The driving Equipment (i.e., motor, stand-alone gearboxes,
etc.) does not need to be in a barrier or shield.
• Consideration should be given to providing a shield
between the oxygen compressor and driving Equipment.
Oxygen compressors that operate in tandem to function as
one unit (i.e., one machine cannot operate without the other):
• Can be enclosed within a single barrier or shield.
• Barriers or shields between the two machines are not
required, but should be considered to protect one machine
if the other is involved in an incident.
Barrier enclosed Piping associated and connecting with the Equipment located
Equipment related piping within a barrier wall may be supported off of the barrier wall
maybe supported off of provided that the barrier wall is of masonry or concrete
barrier walls. construction and has been designed to meet required
supporting loads.
Barrier walls shall not be used to support any Equipment or
other piping routed throughout a plant.
By definition, shields are not considered structural supports;
therefore, support of Equipment or piping from shields is not
permitted.

Page 24 of 75
4.13 Barrier and Shield Design Criteria
Hazard: Personnel injury arising from an Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Barrier and shield design Generally, barriers are considered to be permanent
shall be adequate to heavyweight protective enclosures, which have, access to the
provide personnel area within the enclosed space around the Equipment.
protection and sufficient
Generally, shields are considered to be lightweight removable
time to exit the area.
(as required) protective enclosures, which do not have, access
to the area within the enclosed space around the Equipment.
Shields are typically used in retrofit situations where concrete
block barriers are impractical, or where removal is required
for major maintenance.
A minimum of two means of free and unobstructed egress
from within a barrier shall be provided.
Provide observation capability such as view ports of proper
construction, or camera(s) when required to allow the
Equipment to be observed during operation.
Barrier shall be a minimum of 8 ft [2.5 m] in height and at
least 2 ft [0.6 m] above the highest point of the equipment
(including coolers and piping) and sufficient to shield
personnel at elevated areas, such as cold box platforms, that
are within 100 ft [30 m] line-of-sight.
Shields shall be designed to fit the required usage.
Barrier entrances shall be arranged to avoid line-of-sight
exposure from the oxygen compressor, pulsation dampeners,
or the first elbow in the discharge of any stage to personnel
outside the barrier.
Barrier designs should not include the use of doors.
Shields should be designed A “sandwich” of heat-resisting material between steel sheets
for short-term protection of supported and reinforced gives this protection.
several minutes to allow
personnel sufficient time to
exit the area.
Barriers shall be designed Figure 15 of this Standard illustrates barrier wall criteria for
to provide adequate access a typical oxygen compressor.
to Equipment.
Maintain a minimum of 3 feet [one meter] clear aisle space
around Equipment for access.
Maintenance issues such as cooler bundle removal space
shall be considered in the design of barriers or shields.

Page 25 of 75
Required Hazard
Ventilation openings shall Grade mounted oxygen compressor installations with barrier
be provided to prevent or shields constructed in compliance with requirements of
oxygen-enriched or this Standard (i.e., labyrinth entrance and exit openings and
deficient atmospheres no roof) do not require any additional ventilation openings.
within barriers or shields.
Mezzanine-mounted oxygen compressor installations with
doors as opposed to labyrinth entrance and exit openings,
with or without a roof shall be constructed with ventilation
openings as defined in this Standard.
Ventilation openings when required shall be located near the
base of each of the four enclosing barrier walls to allow cross
ventilation within the barrier. One opening for
approximately every 6 feet [2 meters] of wall length. The
area of each opening should be equivalent to the size of one
concrete block (or equal to approximately 128 sq. in. [825 sq.
cm.].
The interior side of the ventilation opening shall be covered
with a grill or grating to minimize the possibility of
hazardous materials or flame being discharged from the
opening.
4.14 Oxygen Gas Metering Systems
Hazard: Fire and personnel injury and/or Equipment damage arising from an
Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Meters shall be designed to Meters with internal moving parts shall not be used.
minimize the potential for
oxygen fire incidents.

Page 26 of 75
4.15 Silencers and Noise Attenuation Devices
Hazard: Fire and personnel injury and/or Equipment damage arising from an
Equipment incident.
Required Hazard
Silencers shall be installed Refer to Praxair Standards EN-28, EN-42 and GS-44.
so that their discharges are
directed away from
platforms, ladders,
windows, fans, air
compressor suctions,
stairways, confined area,
etc., to prevent the buildup
of dangerous oxygen
concentrations.
Silencers shall be fabricated Materials of construction shall be in compliance with
from materials that have the Praxair Standard EN-6.
lowest flammability under
Section 4.2 of this Standard defines that vent valves located
the service conditions.
upstream of a silencer have the downstream piping
constructed of a velocity-exempt material for a minimum
length of 8 valve diameters (8D).
This 8D piping requirement may be waived provided that
the piping upstream of the silencer and downstream of the
vent valve and the silencer components that are located in
high-velocity zones are constructed of a velocity-exempt
material. The high-velocity zones of the silencer are defined
to include the inlet flange, connection nozzle neck, and
internal diffuser if so equipped.

Page 27 of 75
4.16 Oxygen Equipment Isolation
Hazard: Prolonging a fire in oxygen Equipment thereby increasing the severity of an

Equipment incident
Required Hazard
Oxygen compressors shall be An automatic isolation valve shall be provided in the suction
capable of being isolated piping of oxygen compressors to isolate them from high flow
automatically from oxygen and/or elevated pressure sources of oxygen. Examples of
generation Equipment, other such sources are an air separation column, and/or an
oxygen compressors, elevated pressure source such as a product boiler or another
pipelines and backup oxygen compressor. The oxygen compressor discharge shall
systems. be isolated from back flow from downstream sources such as
a pipeline by an automatic isolation valve and a check
valve. The suction and discharge isolation valves and dis-
charge check valves shall be located outside the
barrier/shield as close to the oxygen compressor as possible
to minimize the oxygen inventory within the isolated system.
Check valves shall be provided in each oxygen compressor
discharge pipe to prevent oxygen backflow in the event of a
fire. The use of check valves in oxygen compressor
interstage discharge piping should be considered if the
piping contains a large inventory of oxygen. Interstage
check valves may be located within the barriers/shields.
For multiple tandem or parallel oxygen compressor
installations, each oxygen compressor shall have its own
automatic system to isolate it from other oxygen
compressors or other parts of the system.
Automatic and manual isolation valves shall be located
outside barriers/shields, and preferably outside buildings so
they will not be damaged by failure of the Equipment
isolated or by other nearby components. They should be
readily accessible to allow inspection and maintenance.

Page 28 of 75
4.17 Strainers
Hazard: Ignition of material in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere due to particle impact

or friction.
Required Hazard
Strainers shall be installed in The strainer shall be constructed of velocity exempt
oxygen piping systems to material as defined in Praxair Standard EN-6.
remove solid particles, which
can damage oxygen The strainer size should be the same as the larger of the
compressors, or create a fire piping upstream or downstream of the spool piece.
hazard by friction or Current approved strainer designs are given in Table A of
impingement. this Standard.
Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor Suction and Discharge –
Use the Praxair high strength strainer with 40-mesh screen
for oxygen compressor suction and discharge strainers [for
strainer sizes Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) 3 and smaller, use
Praxair Standard MPS-14 with a 40-mesh screen]. Teflon
trimmed oxygen compressors should use 90 mesh screen for
the suction strainer (for NPS 3 and smaller, use MPS-14 with
a 100 mesh screen) to reduce wear.
Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Suction – Use a strainer
with 40-mesh screen. The standard strength strainer above
can be used for this application to take advantage of the
lower pressure drop, up to a compressor discharge pressure
of 720 psig [4960 kPa(g)]. The high strength strainer is
required when the compressor discharge pressure is above
720 psig [4960 kPa(g)] because it is more resistent to
vibration, which could occur due to turbulent gas flow when
the recirculation valve is open. For strainer sizes NPS 5 and
smaller, use Praxair Standard MPS-14.
Front of Pressure Reducing Valves – Use the Praxair high
strength strainer with 40-mesh screen. For strainer sizes
NPS 3 and smaller, use Praxair Standard MPS-14 with a 40-
mesh screen.
Strainer installations shall Instrumentation should be located outside the barrier/shield.
be provided with
instrumentation, or
provisions for use of instru-
mentation (i.e., pressure taps
with valves located at
balcony or ground level), to
indicate the pressure drop
across the unit.

Page 29 of 75
Required Hazard
With the higher velocities Control valves not used for venting shall have strainers
expected from control installed upstream to remove particles.
valves, downstream For oxygen compressors one strainer may be used to
process components shall protect the discharge and the re-circulation valve.
be protected from the
heightened hazard of Refer to Figures 1,3 and 4 of this Standard.
particle impingement. Strainers are not required upstream of the cold box
oxygen make valve as:
• the valve materials are appropriate for control
valves,
• the valves typically operate with low pressure drop,
• are typically located close to the cold box.
Strainer spool pieces shall Strainer spool pieces shall be sized to limit gas
be sized to limit gas velocities to Praxair Standard EN-6 requirements.
velocities commensurate
with the flammability of
the material.
4.18 Thermowells

or friction.
Required Hazard
When required, temperature The wall thickness of thermowells shall determine the
monitoring devices should be material requirements.
installed in thermowells, in
oxygen piping systems and
Equipment to monitor and Reciprocating Oxygen Compressors – Use thermocouples
protect the oxygen system without thermowells for Equipment monitoring and
operation. protection installed in the compressor itself (i.e., ROCPASS)
and the associated piping.
Centrifugal Oxygen Compressors – Use temperature-
monitoring devices for Equipment monitoring and protection
installed in the associated piping.

Page 30 of 75
4.19 Orifices

or friction.
Required Hazard
Orifices are installed in Orifices may have sharp or thin edges that are less than
oxygen piping systems and 0.125 inch [3.2 mm] in thickness. For designs where this is
Equipment to monitor flow true the material of construction shall be in accordance with
rates and capacities. Praxair Standard EN-6.
4.20 Oxygen Compressor Run-in, Startup and Shutdown
Hazard: Fire in a new oxygen compressor or in an oxygen compressor following

major maintenance, or during operating transient conditions.
Required Hazard
Nitrogen, prepurified plant No condensate or contamination should be introduced into
air (or equivalent) shall be or formed within the oxygen system during startup of
used at every startup of a oxygen compressors.
centrifugal oxygen
Startup gas shall be free of all contaminants including
compressor
particulate matter and hydrocarbons.
The use of nitrogen or prepurified air obtained downstream
of the prepurifier dust filter, which shall have a dew point of
minus 40°F [minus 40°C] or lower is recommended.
A manual or automatic startup gas block and bleed system
to feed the nitrogen or prepurified air into the oxygen
compressor suction should be provided.
See Section 4.2 of this Standard.
Centrifugal oxygen compressors – Nitrogen or prepurified
plant air (or equivalent) shall be used to start and load the
oxygen compressors every time. At planned shutdowns, the
startup procedure is reversed to replace oxygen before de-
energizing the unit.

Page 31 of 75
Required Hazard
Caution: Compressor surge characteristics change
considerably as nitrogen or prepurified air is mixed with the
oxygen. At all unplanned shutdowns, nitrogen or prepurified
plant air (or equivalent) should be used to purge the oxygen
compressor.
Because of these procedures, an automatic start-up gas
block and bleed shall be required for centrifugal oxygen
compressors.
Nitrogen, prepurified plant No condensate or contamination should be introduced into
air or “dry, oil-free” filtered or formed within the oxygen system during run-in or proof
air shall be used to run-in testing of oxygen compressors.
and proof test:
Run-in and proof testing shall be free of all contaminants
• new oxygen compressors including particulate matter and hydrocarbons.
• existing oxygen The use of nitrogen or prepurified air obtained downstream
compressors following of the prepurifier dust filter, which has a dew point of minus
major maintenance 40°F [minus 40°C] or lower is recommended.
A manual or automatic run-in gas block and bleed system to
feed the nitrogen or prepurified air into the oxygen
compressor suction should be provided.
For reciprocating compressors without permanently
installed run-in supply, an isolation valve bypass valve is
required.
Run-in shall be conducted in accordance with
documented Praxair Guidelines.
Post run-in inspection shall be conducted to verify
integrity and cleanliness of Equipment in accordance
with documented Praxair Guidelines.
A final verification run will be conducted prior to
changeover to oxygen service.
4.21 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Installations
Hazard: Oxygen Compressor Fire.
Required Hazard
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressor installations shall include a system to
operate without surging. prevent surging under all modes of operation.

Page 32 of 75
Required Hazard
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include temperature
shut down and isolate due to shutdowns to shut down and isolate the compressor due to
abnormally high gas abnormally high discharge gas temperature at the discharge
temperatures. of each stage.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include pressure
abnormally high gas abnormally high discharge gas pressures at the final stage
discharge pressures. discharge.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include proximity type
shut down and isolate due to high vibration level alarms and shutdowns to alarm
abnormally high vibration shutdown and isolate the compressor due to unacceptable
levels. high vibration levels for each stage.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include bearing
shut down and isolate due to temperature monitoring with alarms and shutdowns to
abnormally high bearing alarm shut down and isolate the compressor due to
temperatures. unacceptable high bearing temperature levels at each
bearing.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include axial position
shut down and isolate due to monitoring with alarms and shutdowns to alarm shut down
abnormal axial position and isolate the compressor due to unacceptable axial rotor
excursions. excursions of each rotor.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressor designs shall include buffered type gas
shut down and isolate due to and oil seal designs, and gearbox vacuum systems, to
loss of process and oil seal minimize loss of process gas, prevent contamination of the
integrity. process gas, and prevent the intrusion of lubricating oil
(liquid, mist or vapor) into oxygen enriched areas. This
shall be true under all conditions, including start-up,
shutdown, transient operating modes and idle (stand-by)
non-operating periods. These gas and oil seal designs shall
include appropriate monitoring, control and protection
instrumentation.
Oxygen compressor gas and oil seal designs and associated
instrumentation shall be reviewed and approved by Praxair.
Oxygen compressors shall A temperature shutdown shall be provided in the oxygen
be protected against low compressor inlet piping when the oxygen is supplied from a
suction temperatures from cryogenic source.
cryogenic sources.

Page 33 of 75
4.22 Reciprocating Oxygen Compressor Installations
Hazard: Oxygen Compressor Fire.
Required Hazard
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include temperature
abnormally high gas or high abnormally high discharge gas temperature at the discharge
component differential of each stage.
temperatures.
Monitor critical compressor operating temperatures for all
stages of a reciprocating oxygen compressor with a final
design or operating discharge pressure of 150 psig [1034
kPa(g)] or higher using the Praxair Reciprocating Oxygen
Compressor Protective Alarm and Shutdown System
(ROCPASS) which allows for shutdown and isolation of the
Equipment on any high:
• individual temperature in compressor suction valves.
• individual temperature in compressor discharge
valves.
• differential temperature in a group of compressor
suction valves located at a specific end (i.e., head or
crank) and on a specific cylinder.
• differential temperature in a group of compressor
discharge valves located at a specific end (i.e., head
or crank) and on a specific cylinder.
• individual temperature in the piston rod packing area.
• individual temperature in the cylinder water jacket
area.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include pressure
abnormally high gas abnormally high discharge gas pressures at the final stage
discharge pressures. discharge.
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressors systems shall include a single (one per
shut down and isolate due to crankcase) accelerometer type high vibration level
abnormally high vibration shutdown to isolate the compressor due to unacceptable
levels. high vibration levels.

Page 34 of 75
Required Hazard
Oxygen compressors shall Oxygen compressor designs shall include provisions for
shut down and isolate due to nitrogen, prepurified air, or “dry, oil-free” filtered air
increased oxygen purging of the compressor distance piece to help prevent the
concentration (or loss of intrusion of lubricating oil (liquid, mist or vapor) into
purge) in the distance piece. oxygen enriched areas, and build up of high oxygen
concentrations. This shall be true under all conditions,
including startup, shutdown, transient operating modes and
idle (stand-by) non-operating periods. The purge gas
supply system designs shall include appropriate monitoring
and shutdown control instrumentation.
Distance piece purge systems and associated
instrumentation shall be reviewed and approved by Praxair.
Oxygen compressors shall A temperature shutdown shall be provided in the oxygen
be protected against low compressor inlet piping when the oxygen is supplied from a
suction temperatures from cryogenic source.
cryogenic sources.
5.0 TYPICAL OXYGEN PLANT COMPRESSION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
This section describes through text and related figures a typical oxygen plant compression
and delivery system. The item and number relate to specific components in the following figures. It
is not intended that this section define the only way to design an oxygen plant compression and
delivery system. It is intended that this section illustrate through an example what issues must be
considered and evaluated.
5.1 Oxygen Supply System
Reference
Item & No. Figures Description - Oxygen Supply System
1. Pressure 2 Shuts down the product oxygen compressor on decreasing
Control suction pressure to prevent collapsing oxygen generation
Device Equipment components or contaminating the product.
When the system includes a reciprocating product oxygen
compressor, a bypass on this control device is required to
allow compressor startup.
2. Flow 1 and 2 Plant production make flow.
Element
Refer to Section 4.2 of this Standard.

Page 35 of 75
Reference
Item & No. Figures Description - Oxygen Supply System
3. Oxygen 1, 2 and 6 May also function as the product oxygen compressor
Supply suction isolation valve and suction throttle valve for single
Make Valve oxygen supply/single compressor installations. Refer to
Section 4.16 of this Standard. If the valve is used as the
compressor suction isolation valve, it shall close on
compressor shutdown in 3 seconds or less from the time
the signal is initiated to provide isolation during
emergency conditions. Valve shall have materials suitable
for throttling service and shall have Teflon, Kel-F or
comparable soft seat. The valve shall be located outdoors
and shall fail closed.
3A. Pressure 6 Valves shall be instrumented with pressure differential
Differential control devices to prevent unacceptable gas velocities in
Control piping upon the opening of valves.
Device
4. Product 1, 2 and 7 Vent valves are required to control product flow from the
Oxygen Vent oxygen supply system. Valve shall be located outdoors.
Valve Valve shall have materials suitable for throttling service
and shall have Teflon or comparable soft seat. The valve
shall fail closed.
Refer to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of this Standard.
5. Vent 1, 2 and 7 Refer to Section 4.15 of this Standard.
Silencer
6. Temperature 2 To protect oxygen compressor and piping against low
Control temperature from cryogenic sources. Refer to Praxair
Device Standard EN-31. Set at minus 20°F (minus 29°C) to shut
down compressor. A starting bypass may be required for
plants located in cold climate areas. Refer to Praxair
Standard EN-37 for design criteria when operating in cold
climates.
This can be an electronic soft switch.
The temperature control device is not required for oxygen
compressors receiving gas from a non-cryogenic source.

Page 36 of 75
5.2 Oxygen Compressor System
Description - Description - Reciprocating

Reference Centrifugal Oxygen Oxygen
Item & No. Figures Compressor System Compressor System
7. Compressor 1, 3 and 4 Refer to Praxair Standard Refer to Praxair Standard
GS-6.1 for typical GS-16 for typical
construction details. construction details.
8. Barriers and 1, 3, 4 and Refer to Sections 4.12 and 4.13 of this Standard.
Shields 15
9. Run-in Gas 1, 3, 4, and Automatic block valves Manual block valves typical
Block and 12 typical of centrifugal of reciprocating compressors
Bleed compressors for nitrogen for nitrogen or prepurified
System or prepurified air startup air startup of oxygen
of oxygen compressor. compressor.
Nitrogen or prepurified N/A
plant air (or equivalent)
shall be used to start and
load centrifugal oxygen
compressors at each and
every startup. At planned
shutdowns, the startup
procedure is reversed to
replace oxygen before de-
energizing the unit. At
unplanned shutdowns,
nitrogen or prepurified
plant air (or equivalent)
shall be used to purge the
oxygen compressor.
The prepurified air referred to above shall be obtained
downstream of the prepurifier dust filter, shall have a
dew point of minus 40°F (minus 40°C) or lower, and be
free of all contaminants including particulate matter and
hydrocarbons.
Automatic block valves shall fail closed.
The automatic bleed valve shall fail open.
Nitrogen or prepurified plant air (or equivalent) shall
be used to run-in and proof test new oxygen
compressors and existing oxygen compressors following
major maintenance or after being out of service for
extended periods.

Page 37 of 75

9A. Pressure 12 Used to alarm if pressure in the block and bleed system
Control is positive.
Device
10. Suction 1, 3, 4 and 9 For overpressure relief of product oxygen compressor
Pressure suction and suction piping. Valve shall be located
Relief Valve outside the barrier and the discharge piped to the
outside of the building if the oxygen compressor is
indoors. Valve sizing shall consider the increased flow
rates resulting from the opening of the compressor
recirculation valve. (This valve is not required if
compressor re-circulation piping is not provided and the
compressor suction and piping cannot be over
pressurized.)
Refer to Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.9 of this Standard
for details.
Pilot-operated safety relief valves located on the product
oxygen compressor suction piping, shall be equipped
with a back flow preventer to prevent system
contamination under vacuum conditions.
11. Inlet Strainer 1, 3 and 4 Strainers shall be installed in oxygen piping systems to
remove solid particles that can damage oxygen
compressors, or create a fire hazard by friction or
impingement.
This strainer may be located inside or outside the
barrier/enclosure with the PDI outside.
Refer to Figures 3 and 4 of this Standard for examples
of each alternative.

Page 38 of 75

12. Vibration 3 and 4 Two proximity type Vibration protective devices
Detectors vibration probes shall be shall be installed for
installed as follows: detecting excessive oxygen
compressor vibration and
For integral gear-type
shutting down unit.
oxygen compressors a
Vibration protective devices
“X” and “Y” position
on reciprocating oxygen
vibration probe shall be
compressors should
installed at, or adjacent
incorporate a time delay
to, each impeller to
feature to eliminate
monitor shaft vibration.
unnecessary Equipment
For inline type oxygen outages due to frequent
compressors a “X” and startups and transient ex-
“Y” position vibration ternal vibrations. Refer to
probe shall be installed Praxair Standard EN-9 for
at, or adjacent to, each specification and installation
bearing journal details.
The readout system shall Refer to Praxair Standard
provide for alarm and SA-39-9.
shutdown upon sensing
excessive vibration.
Vibration shutdowns
shall always be active
except for a short time
period during startup on
nitrogen or prepurified
air (or equivalent).
Refer to Praxair
Standard SA-39-8.
13. Axial Rotor- 3 Each oxygen compressor N/A
Shift casing shall be equipped
Detector with axial rotor-shift de-
tector(s) observing each
rotor or pinion to shut
the compressor down to
prevent internal
compressor rub.
Refer to Praxair
Standard SA-39-8.

Page 39 of 75

14. Temperature 3 and 4 To shut down and isolate For oxygen compressor
Control the oxygen compressor equipped with ROCPASS
Device due to abnormally high monitoring, the temperature
discharge gas control device is not
temperature at each required.
stage. Set at 15°F (8°C)
For oxygen compressors not
above maximum expected
equipped with ROCPASS
operating temperature
monitoring:
(including hot day
operation and re- To shut down and isolate the
oxygen compressor due to
circulation) for that stage.
abnormally high discharge
This can be an electronic
gas temperature at each
soft switch.
stage. Set at 15°F (8°C)
The temperature element above maximum expected
should be mounted within operating temperature
a thermowell of (including hot day operation
appropriate material. and re-circulation) for that
stage.
Refer to Praxair Standard
EN-6. This can be an electronic soft
switch.
SA-39-8. The temperature element
should be mounted within a
thermowell of appropriate
material.
EN-6.
SA-39-9.

Page 40 of 75

15. Coolers 1, 3 and 4 Oxygen side internals shall meet requirements in
Praxair Standard EN-6. Refer to Praxair Standard GS-
11 and GS-95 for typical construction details. Cooler
construction shall conform to the additional
requirements defined for oxygen service Equipment
contained in GS-11 and GS-95. Coolers may be located
inside or outside of compressor enclosures. If within a
barrier/shield, instrumentation, water control valves,
etc., that must be serviced or adjusted while oxygen
compressor is operating in the oxygen mode shall be
accessible from the outside.
16. Expansion 1 and 3 The piping shall be Neither expansion joints nor
Joint designed to eliminate the flexible metal hose shall be
use of expansion joints used in reciprocating oxygen
except when needed compressor systems.
immediate to oxygen
compressors to reduce
compressor flange
loading to within
allowable limits.
17. Anti-Surge 3 A system to prevent N/A
System oxygen compressor
surging under all modes
of operation shall be
incorporated into the
compression system.
Typically this requires a
system with en-
hancements beyond
Proportional Integral
Derivative (PID) control.
Surge control may use
parameters other then
flow.
Refer to Section 4.21 of
this Standard.
SA-39-8.

Page 41 of 75

Anti-surge control
systems may use a power
signal or a flow
measurement signal
located in either the
suction or discharge of
the oxygen compressor,
discharge pressure,
pressure ratio or delta P
based upon characteristics
of the compressor/motor
system and/or specific
process related
requirements.
Refer to documented
Advanced Control
Internal Design
Guidelines.
18. Pressure 3 and 4 Low discharge pressure shutdown. To shut down the
Control oxygen compressor and close isolation valves on low
Device pipeline pressure. Set at 50% of normally anticipated
minimum delivery pressure. A bypass is required on this
control device to allow compressor startup.
This can be an electronic soft switch.
19. Temperature 3 and 4 To alarm on excessive pipeline temperature to protect a
Control positive displacement gas meter in an existing plant. Set
Device at 140°F (60°C). Control device shall shut down oxygen
compressors in a normally unattended plant.
This device may be omitted if a positive displacement
gas meter is not in the system.
20. Discharge 1, 3 and 4 Oxygen compressor safety relief valves should be located
Safety Relief as close to the compressor as possible and downstream of
Valves the aftercooler.
Refer to Sections 4.2, 4.3, 4.5 and 4.9 of this Standard.
21. Vent Valve 1, 3, 4, and 7 Automatic Valve: Normally, valve will be located
outdoors. Valve shall fail open.

Page 42 of 75

Valve shall open on oxygen compressor shutdown for
sufficient time to blow down system and then close to
prevent system contamination. The vent valve shall be
mounted horizontally. If the silencer does not have a low-
point drain hole and muffler, then the drain hole and
muffler shall be located in the piping between the valve
and silencer inlet.
22. Automatic 1, 3, 4 and This valve normally Used during normal operation
Re-circula- 10 operates to prevent oxygen for controlling capacity and
tion Valve: compressor surge. For the discharge pressures. Valve
purpose of oxygen shall be designed based on
compressor shutdown, the oxygen compressor startup
valve shall open (full and normal operating
stroke) within 3 seconds to requirements. The valve is
equalize pressure and usually designed to fail at a
prevent compressor reverse 5% open position. If valve is
rotation. Valve shall fail designed to open on shutdown
open. Valve may have or to fail open, pipe sizes shall
Teflon or comparable soft be selected to prevent gas
seat. velocities in excess of those
specified in Praxair Standard
EN-6 from occurring during
shutdown.
Piping material shall be selected in accordance with the
requirements of Praxair Standard EN-6. Valve shall be
located inside the oxygen compressor enclosure, or shield.
Discharge piping shall contain at least one elbow before
exiting the barrier/shield.
Refer to Section 4.2 and 4.3 of this Standard.
23. Silencer or 1, 3, 4 and 7 Refer to Section 4.15 of this Standard.
Noise At-
tenuation
Device

Page 43 of 75

24. Suction 1, 3, 4 and 9 Suction isolation for oxygen compressors shall be
Isolation provided. On multiple oxygen compressor systems,
individual isolation of each oxygen compressor shall be
provided.
• Manual isolation valve. This valve may be omitted for
single oxygen compressor installations with a single
VPSA without a cryogenic liquid system on suction side
of compressor. Warnings for use of proper procedures to
deal with this exception shall be included in the
Operating Manual.
• Automatic isolation valve. Valve shall close in 3 seconds
or less on shutdown to provide isolation during
emergency conditions. Valve shall fail closed.
To eliminate the need for pressurization bypass valves for
booster oxygen compressors (BOC), the pressure
differential across the suction valve must be addressed,
through the use of the run-in supply gas.
25. Discharge 1, 3, 4 and 11 Discharge isolation of oxygen compressors shall be
Isolation provided. On multiple oxygen compressor systems,
individual isolation of each oxygen compressor shall be
provided. The extent of piping between the discharge
isolation valve and the discharge vent valve shall be
minimized to limit the effect on product purity should the
need to vent out of specification product arise.
• Manual isolation valve
• Check valve. This check valve shall be located so as to
minimize the oxygen inventory available to back flow
into the compressor in case of an incident. This check
valve is not required in rotary lobe and centrifugal
blower applications having a discharge pressure of 15
psig [103.5 kPa(g)] or lower when the oxygen
compressors have rolling element bearings.
Automatic Isolation valve. Valve shall close in 3 seconds
or less on shutdown to provide isolation during emergency
conditions. Valve shall fail closed.
Refer to Sections 4.3,4.4, and 4.16 of this Standard.

Page 44 of 75

25A. Pressure 11 and 13 Valves shall be instrumented with pressure differential
Differential control devices to prevent unacceptable gas velocities in
Control piping upon the opening of valves.
Devices
26. Discharge 1, 3 and 4 To keep compressor wear particles, other particulate
Strainer matter or broken parts from entering re-circulation valve
and downstream control valves or piping.
27. Cooling 1, 3 and 4 Piping shall be designed so that cooling water control
Water valves are located outside of oxygen compressor shielding
or barrier/shields if water system adjustment must be
accomplished when the oxygen compressor is operating on
oxygen.
28. Lube Oil 1, 3 and 4 Refer to Section 4.8 of this Refer to Section 4.8 of this
System Standard. Standard.
29. Lube Oil 1 and 3 The lube oil system shall N/A
System be equipped with a vacuum
Vacuum system to aid in controlling
System bearing oil leakage, and
process and Equipment
contamination.
Refer to Section 4.8 of this
Standard.
The vent shall discharge
outside the barrier or
shield and be directed
away from air intakes,
walking/climbing surfaces,
and area of possible
oxygen enrichment due to
venting of process gas.
The vent shall be provided
with an oil mist collection
device in accordance with
applicable environmental
requirements. The vent
shall not be fitted with a
shutoff valve.

Page 45 of 75

29A. Pressure 3 Shall shutdown the oxygen N/A
Control compressor on the basis of
Device the loss of compressor
gearbox vacuum.
This may be an electrical
soft switch.
Standard.
29B. Purge Gas 4 N/A A flow of nitrogen or
prepurified air (purge gas)
shall be directed into the
oxygen compressor distance
piece to prevent the
development of high oxygen
concentrations.
29C. Purge Gas 4 N/A Shall shutdown the oxygen
Flow compressor based on the loss
Control of compressor distance piece
Device purge gas flow.
30. Purity 3 The oxygen compressor is The oxygen compressor is
Analyzer isolated if product does not isolated if product does not
meet purity specifications meet purity specifications, and
the compressor is the first
compression unit [Baseload
Oxygen (Main)] in product
compression service.
31. Pulsation 4 N/A Refer to Praxair Standard GS-
Dampener 14.

Page 46 of 75

32. Thermo- 4 N/A Critical oxygen compressor
couples operating temperatures for
each stage of oxygen
Reciprocating
compressors with a final
Oxygen
design discharge pressure of
Compressor
150 psig [1034 kPa(g)] or
Protective Alarm higher shall be monitored
and Shutdown using the Reciprocating
System Oxygen Compressor
(ROCPASS) Protective Alarm and
Shutdown System
(ROCPASS). This system
provides continuous, high
speed monitoring of machine
temperatures, and provides
for shutdown and isolation of
the Equipment on any
individual high temperature
or high differential
temperature in a group of
similar suction or discharge
valves.
Standard.
SA-39-9.
The leader of the (MSN)
Mechanical Equipment
Skills network should be
consulted for specific details
on oxygen compressor
applications.

Page 47 of 75

Type T, copper-constantan
grounded tip thermocouples
shall be provided as specified
in Praxair Standard GS-16.
The thermocouples shall be
mounted without the use of
thermowells. One
thermocouple shall be
supplied for each suction
valve, discharge valve, each
cylinder (water jacket) and
each rod packing case. All of
the temperatures indicated by
the thermocouples shall be
monitored by the ROCPASS
system to shut down the
oxygen compressor if any
temperature exceeds the
maximum allowed.
33. Pressure 4 N/A High discharge pressure
Control shutdown.
Device
This can be an electronic soft
switch.
For control of booster oxygen
compressor operation.
Normally, oxygen booster
compressors start up
automatically to fill the
receivers. Shutdown may also
be automatic on low pipeline
pressure or receiver high
pressure after the compressor
has run unloaded for
approximately 20 minutes.

Page 48 of 75

34. Cylinder and 4 N/A Water-cooled packing cases
Packing shall be provided with potable
Case or filtered water or filtered
Cooling ethylene glycol solution.
(Refer to Section 4.6 of this
Standard.) Packing cups
shall be one piece,
individually cored and
manifolded together with
external jumpers to preclude
leakage of coolant to the
process stream. Plant cooling
water shall be provided to
cool the cylinders. A flow
indicator shall be provided for
each cylinder and packing
case.
Oxygen compressors within
barriers/shields shall have the
packing case water supply
valves and filters (if they can
be bypassed) located outside
the barriers/shields.
35. Capacity 4 N/A (In addition to re-circulation
Control valve):
Manually controlled
pneumatic suction valve
unloaders may be used for
capacity control on product
oxygen compressors if the
discharge pressure is below
180 psig [1241 kPa(g)].
Manual and automatic
operation of suction valve
unloaders is not allowed.

Page 49 of 75

Manually controlled
pneumatic clearance pockets
may be used where varying
operating conditions occur.
However, their effect on
interstage discharge
temperatures (caused by
changes in interstage
pressures) shall be reviewed
by Operations, Design Safety
and Engineering and
documented.
Clearance pockets shall be
arranged so that failure will
not result in a high
compression ratio across any
stage. When possible,
opening or closing of the
unloader devices should be
done while the oxygen
compressor is not running.
Variable speed drive.
36. Temperature None Temperature control All temperature control device
Control device elements may be elements shall be Type T
Devices thermocouples or thermocouple. This is for
resistance temperature commonality of supply with
detectors (RTDs). ROCPASS, which needs
thermocouples for fast
response.
Temperature control device elements shall be mounted in
thermowells of appropriate material (i.e., brass, bronze,
®
Monel , stainless steel) in accordance with Praxair
Standard EN-6.
37. Instrument None Instrumentation for oxygen compressors within
Arrange- barriers/shields shall be designed on the premise that
ment operating personnel are not permitted access to the
compressor. Remote readout of critical operating
instrumentation is required for these areas.
Instrumentation shall be installed in a manner that
precludes damage from vibration.

Page 50 of 75

38. Grounding None Reduction of oxygen compressor shaft currents shall be
of accomplished by, means of utilizing insulated motor
Equipment bearings, coupling bolts, and other means compliant to
documented Praxair Electrical Standards and Guidelines.
39. Running None N/A A running-time meter should
Time Meter be used to accurately log
operating hours.
Alternate means of tracking
operating hours are
acceptable.
5.3 Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Seal Gas System
Reference Description - Centrifugal Oxygen Compressor Seal

Item & No. Figures Gas System
46. Pressure 8 Low seal gas pressure. Shuts down the oxygen
Control compressor upon decreasing seal gas pressure.
Device
47. Pressure 8 Seal gas pressure regulator with filter. Maintains a
Regulator constant seal gas supply pressure to the oxygen
compressor seal system.
48. Flow 8 Measures the amount of seal gas to each oxygen
Indicator(s) compressor labyrinth shaft seal and indicates changes in
flow which may be indicative of a seal rub or seal wear
48A Pressure 8 Indicates pressure and changes of process seal buffer
Indicator(s) gas at each process seal labyrinth shaft seal which may
be indicative of seal geometry changes.
49. Control 8 Regulates the seal gas flow to each oxygen compressor
Valve(s) labyrinth seal.

Page 51 of 75

50. Buffer Seal 8 Provides low differential pressure oxygen compressor
Pressure shutdown, and auxiliary oil pump lockout. To provide a
Differential buffer between the oxygen within the compressor and the
Indicator lube oil system serving the compressor bearings, a flow
and Control of gas from the seal gas supply toward the
Device(s) oxygen/nitrogen atmospheric vent and toward the
compressor bearing shall be maintained. A low
differential pressure between these sections of the shaft
labyrinth seal could, in addition to other factors, result
from insufficient flow. This control device shall be
active during all modes of oxygen compressor and
auxiliary lube oil pump operation.
50A. Vent Seal 8 Additional Requirement: For gas and oil seal designs
Pressure where a free and clear view of the rotor shaft is not
Differential possible this additional PDT shall be utilized to provide
Indicator low differential pressure compressor shutdown, and
and Control auxiliary oil pump lockout. When this PDT is used the
Device(s) auxiliary oil pump lockout will be functionally
accomplished by this PDT and removed as a function of
Item 50 above. Item 50 above will maintain alarm and
shutdown functionality.
51. Process Seal 8 Low differential pressure oxygen compressor shutdown,
Pressure for unattended plant or alarm for attended plant. To
Differential prevent product contamination, a positive differential
Indicator pressure shall be maintained between the oxygen
and Control recovery and the vent to atmospheric sections of the
Device(s) shaft labyrinth seals. This control device shall be active
whenever oxygen product is being compressed. During
shutdown, the control device is automatically bypassed
to ensure that the auxiliary oil pump continues to run.

Page 52 of 75

52. Back 8 Leakage from the oxygen port on the discharge end
Pressure labyrinth seal buffers the oxygen port on the suction end
Regulator(s) labyrinth to prevent product contamination during sub-
atmospheric suction operation. This regulator
maintains a 3 psig [20 kPa(g)] back pressure on the
oxygen ports and returns the excess oxygen into the
oxygen compressor piping downstream of the suction
isolation valve for leak gas recovery.
For oxygen compressor designs equipped with dual
pressure recovery ports, each recovery port shall be
equipped with separate Back Pressure Regulator.
53. Labyrinth 8 The bearing oil labyrinth seal contains a labyrinth
Seal(s) section and seal gas injection at the bearing end. To
prevent oil from entering the oxygen compressor in event
of failure of the seal gas pressure regulator, the bearing
oil labyrinth seal gas supply shall have its own
regulator.
54. Pressure 8 Low seal gas pressure. Provide alarm and compressor
Control shutdown protection based on the loss of oil seal buffer
Device(s) gas pressure, and as an auxiliary oil pump start
permissive on loss of buffer gas to the oxygen
compressor oil seal.
54A. Pressure 8 Indicates pressure and changes of oil seal buffer gas at
Indicator(s) each oil seal labyrinth shaft seal which may be
indicative of seal geometry changes.
54B. Tell Tale 8 Tell tale ports shall be part of the oxygen compressor
Oil seal design to provide visual detection of oil seal oil
Drain(s) leaks. Tell tale ports and any associated piping shall be
free of any other installed components. All tell tale
drain piping shall be continuously sloped downward
with no potential for trapping liquid. In cases where the
oxygen compressor is located behind a barrier or shield
the tell-tale drain shall be routed to the outside of said
barrier or shield.

Page 53 of 75
5.4 High-Pressure Oxygen Receiver Storage Systems
Reference
Item & No. Figures Description - Oxygen Receiver Storage System
60. Receiver 5 These shall be pressure vessels designed for cyclic
service, in accordance with the applicable pressure
vessel code.
Refer to Praxair Standard GS-31.
61. Primary 5 Normally sized to accommodate thermal expansion of
Receiver gas in the receivers. However, if process requires
Safety Relief setting the supply system safety relief valve set pressure
Valve above the working pressure of the receivers, the receiver
safety relief valve shall be sized for full supply system
capacity.
61A Safety valve 5 For safety valve isolation valve limitations refer to
isolation Praxair Standard EN-45.
valve(s)
61B. Secondary 5 Normally sized to accommodate thermal expansion of
Receiver gas in the receivers under fire conditions. The receiver
Safety Relief secondary safety relief valve, shall be sized in
Valve accordance with the latest revision of CGA S-1.3.
62. Receiver 5 Valve and piping materials shall be suitable for
Manual throttling service.
Blowdown Refer to Section 4.2 and 4.3 of this Standard.
Valve(s)
63. Regulator 5 Refer to Section 4.17 of this Standard.
Valve Strainer
64. Pressure 5 In normal operation, this valve regulates receiver
Control Valve pressure to pipeline pressure. In the event of a pipeline
break, the valve shall close to isolate the receivers from
the pipeline. Valve shall fail closed. Valve shall have
Teflon or comparable soft seat.
64A. Pressure 5 Valve shall be instrumented with a differential pressure
Differential measurement capability to identify the differential
Indication pressure during commissioning and normal operation.
Since this valve will normally operate with a high
differential pressure, the differential pressure transmitter
does not have any permissive control.

Page 54 of 75
Reference
Item & No. Figures Description - Oxygen Receiver Storage System
65. Block Valves 5 Manually operated for normal isolation of receiver
system and pipeline. Valve shall be located outdoors,
outside of potential fire area.
66. Pipeline 5 For control of booster oxygen compressor and/or
Pressure backup system operation. Normally, booster oxygen
Control compressors start automatically on high customer
Device pipeline pressure to fill the receivers. Shutdown is also
automatic on low pipeline pressure or receiver high
pressure after the compressor has run unloaded for
approximately 20 minutes.
67. Pipeline 5 Protects against receiver regulator valve failure.
Safety Relief Refer to Sections 4.3 and 4.9 of this Standard.
Valve
68. Discharge 5 Manual valve to blow down the oxygen compressor and
Piping Vent receiver discharge piping so maintenance can be
Valve performed. The vent piping downstream of the valve
shall be of velocity exempt materials to prevent rust
buildup due to atmospheric moisture. Refer to Sections
4.3 and 4.9 of this Standard.
69. Pressure None Valves shall be instrumented with pressure differential
Differential control devices to prevent unacceptable gas velocities
Control in downstream piping upon the opening of valves, when
Device a pressure differential exists.

Page 55 of 75
6.0 UPGRADING EXISTING OXYGEN PLANT COMPRESSION AND DELIVERY

SYSTEMS
6.1 When existing oxygen plant compression and piping delivery system are undergoing
modification or addition, the criteria in this section shall define the corrective measures that are
required to bring the valves and piping within the scope of the modification to the standards defined
in this EN. A modification or addition is typically defined to include cutting or welding of the
piping, or modifying of equipment to deliver product at higher pressures or increased flow rates.
6.2 The oxygen plant compression and piping delivery system scope shall be considered
to include any sections of piping that would be expected to require depressurization for installation
or subsequent maintenance of new or modified equipment.
6.3 Valves at the far end of these sections of pipe are included, but replacement may be
waived if they are utilized to isolate the rest of the process during the installation and/or
modification of piping or equipment within the project scope.
6.4 Piping and all valves, orifices, strainers and other pipe type installed components
between the isolation valves defined in Section 6.3 shall be replaced with components that meet
standards defined in this EN.
6.5 It is possible to execute maintenance activities without upgrading the complete system
to the standards defined in this EN. An example of such maintenance activities would be to replace
a malfunctioning valve with a new valve, without any cutting or welding of the piping. The valve
can be replaced without bringing the complete system up to the standards defined in this EN.
However, the replacement valve shall meet the requirements defined in this EN and Praxair
Standard EN-5.
6.6 If system piping is modified in any fashion (by cutting, welding, etc.) then corrective
measures are required to bring the piping within the scope of the modification to the standards
defined in this EN.
6.7 Under any circumstances described in Section 6.0, proper procedures for
maintaining oxygen cleanliness shall be adhered to (i.e., GS-38, etc).
6.8 Any existing oxygen system, that is not updated to current design requirements, in
accordance with Section 6.0 of this EN, including any valves so waived, shall continue to be
operated within Standard Operating Procedure SOP-21.

Page 56 of 75
7.0 BYPASS VALVE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CV CALCULATIONS DEFINITION
The condition that defines the maximum allowable Cv for the bypass valve is when the piping
to be pressurized is at zero pressure. In this condition, the maximum allowable velocity in the
depressurized piping is equal to 200 ft/sec (61 m/s) as defined by Praxair Standard EN-6 for non-
exempt materials of construction. This maximum allowable velocity determines the maximum
allowable flow through the bypass valve, and therefore the maximum allowable bypass valve Cv.
The calculations in this section are completed in English units as it is Praxair’s standard to use
English pipe and valve sizes.
The maximum allowable flow through the valve is calculated using the following equation:
3600 sec
V × A×
q= hr
⎡⎛ 14.7 psia ⎞ ⎛ T 1 ⎞⎤
⎢⎜ P 2 ⎟ × ⎜ 519.6° R ⎟⎥
⎣⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠⎦
q = Flow Rate, scfh (60°F, 14.696 psia)

V = Velocity, V=200 ft/sec
A = Pipe Area, ft2
P2 = Downstream Pipe Pressure, psia
T1 = Upstream Gas Temperature, °R
The maximum allowable valve Cv is calculated using the following equation:
Gg × T 1 × Z 1
q×
Xt
Cv =
1360 × Fp × P1 × Y
Cv = Valve Sizing Coefficient

q = Flow Rate, scfh (60°F, 14.696 psia)
Gg = Gas Specific Gravity, Gg=1.105
T1 = Upstream Gas Temperature, °R
Z1 = Upstream Gas Compressibility Factor
X = Actual Pressure Drop Ratio, X=ΔP/P1
Fp = Piping Geometry Factor (Fp=1)
P1 = Upstream Pressure, psia
Y = Expansion Factor, Y=1-(X/(3FkXt)) or 0.667 if X>Y
Fk = Specific Heat Ratio Factor, Fk=1.0 for Oxygen
Xt = Rated Pressure Drop Ratio of Valve, Xt=0.68 for 100% Open Globe Valve

Page 57 of 75
7.1 Maximum CV Values for Typical Applications
The tables below show calculated maximum valve Cv values for a globe bypass valve
with oxygen at various temperatures and the upstream oxygen pressures. For each pressure the pipe
thickness was selected to match the oxygen pressure. The actual pipe thickness used in the
calculations should be consistent with the design pressure, temperature and diameter of the piping.
Table 7-1
Cv Values with Oxygen at 150°F (66°C)
200 psig 600 psig 1000 psig
Pipeline (1380 kPag) (4140 kPag) (6895 kPag)
Size Oxygen STD Pipe Oxygen SCH 40 Pipe Oxygen SCH 80 Pipe
2” 2.3 0.8 0.4
4” 8.7 2.3 1.7
8” 34.4 8.7 6.6
12” 77.7 76.9 14.7
16” 125.6 121.5 23.3
Table 7-2
2” 2.2 0.8 0.4
4” 8.4 2.9 1.6
8” 33.1 11.5 6.4
12” 74.8 25.8 14.2
16” 120.8 40.7 22.5
Table 7-3
2” 1.9 0.7 0.4
4” 7.4 2.6 1.4
8” 29.0 10.2 5.6
12” 65.7 22.7 12.6
16” 106.1 35.9 19.9

Page 58 of 75
7.2 Selection of Bypass Valve Size
On the basis of the Cv values in Tables 7-1 through 7-3 a valve size selection can be
made. Cv values for typical manual valve sizes are shown in Table 7-4 below. These values are
provided as an illustration only. The actual Cv of the bypass valve that is used in any application
must be confirmed before it is used in a oxygen system design.
The minimum pipe size that is allowed for bypass piping is ½” Nominal Pipe Size
(NPS). Appropriate physical protection and reinforcement are required for valve body sizes less
than ½ inch. The minimum acceptable valve body size for bypass valve service is of ¼ inch.
Table 7-4
Typical Cv Values for
Manual Globe Valve Sizes
Valve Body Size Valve Cv
¼” 1
3/8” 2
½“ 3
¾“ 7
1“ 11
1½“ 29
2“ 50
3” 92
4” 180
Example Valve Selections:
• To pressurize a nominal 8” pipeline with 200 psig (1380 kPag) oxygen at 150°F
(66°C), the calculated Cv is 34.4, which would result in the selection of a 1½”
bypass valve.
(93°C), the calculated Cv is 22.5, which would result in the selection of a 1” bypass
valve.
(204°C), the calculated Cv is 0.7, which would result in the selection of a ¼” valve
with additional flow restriction devices in the bypass line to limit the velocity of the
gas.
7.3 Example Calculation
Determine the maximum Cv of a globe bypass valve used to pressurize a nominal 12”
pipeline with oxygen at 600 psig (4140 kPag) and a temperature of 200°F (93°C).

Page 59 of 75
Note: The calculation below assumes the use of SCH 40 pipe. The actual pipe
thickness used should always be verified to be consistent with the design pressure of the piping
system.
(200 ft / sec)× (0.7773 ft 2 )× ⎛⎜ 3600 sec ⎞⎟

q= ⎝ hr ⎠
⎡⎛ 14.7 psia ⎞ ⎛ 659.6 o R ⎞⎤
⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ × ⎜⎜ o
⎟⎟⎥
⎣⎝ 14.7 psia ⎠ ⎝ 519.6 R ⎠⎦
q = 440,882 scfh
1.105 × 659.6 o R × 0.9955

440,882 scfh ×
Cv = 0.68
1360 × 1× 614.7 × 0.667
Cv = 26
Determine maximum allowable globe bypass valve size based on the calculated Cv:
– Using Table 7-4, the maximum bypass valve size will be 1 inch.

Page 60 of 75
TABLE A
STRAINERS
The following three strainer designs are presently in use. The drawing numbers listed are
Praxair specification drawings. Suppliers may submit their project-specific fabrication drawings for
the appropriate application. These submitted drawings shall reference the equivalent Praxair
drawing number, and shall be have an approval notation by a Praxair representative on that drawing.
Praxair High Strength
Conical strainers that have a collapsing strength of 50 psi [345 kPa] or more. The strainers are
available in pipe sizes NPS 4 through 20 as follows:
D-2245429 – For oxygen service up to 285 psig (1960 kPag)

ASME Class 150, 40 mesh
Praxair Standard Strength
Conical strainers that have a collapsing strength of 10 psi [70 kPa]. This strainer has a lower
operating pressure drop than the high strength strainers above and is limited to use in centrifugal
oxygen compressor service up to a compressor discharge pressure of 720 psig [4960 kPa(g)]. This
strainer is available in pipe sizes NPS 6 through 42 as follows:

D-2281837 For oxygen service up to 450 psig (3100 kPag)
Strainers for use with ANSI Class 150 and 300 flanges in pipe sizes NPS 2 through 5 in
accordance with Praxair Standard MPS-14.

Page 61 of 75
This strainer is used for all oxygen service applications in the smaller size ranges not covered
by the above strainers.
The notes below apply to the figures presented on the following pages
a. 8D designates a distance equal to 8 times the associated “valve diameter”.
b. 2D MIN designates a distance equal to a minimum of 2 times the associated “valve

diameter”.
c. 5PD designates a distance equal to 5 times the associated “pipe diameter”.
d. 10PD designates a distance equal to 10 times the associated “pipe diameter”.
e. Flow arrows reflect the design or normal flow direction.
f. Detailed instrumentation and valve information are always shown on the drawing of the
greatest level of detail.
g. Valve types depicted in the following figures are not intended to define valve types to be
used. Refer to Praxair Standard EN-45 for service, size and type related usage definition.
h. The following figures are not intended to be standalone use descriptors, but must be used
in conjunction with the pertinent textual sections of this Standard.

Page 62 of 75
SEE FIGURE 4
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
AIR SEPARATION
RESTRICTED
UNIT (ASU)
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

SEE
14
FIGURE 13
FOR
FIGURE 1
DETAILS
OF THIS
AREA
SEE FIGURE 2 SEE FIGURE 5

FOR DETAILS FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA OF THIS AREA
SEE FIGURE 3
TO COMPRESSOR
WITH PRAXAIR STANDARD SA-5.

OR PIPELINE
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA BACKUP
IF PRESENT
SYSTEM
REFER TO
PRAXAIR
STANDARD
BACKUP
EN-18
SYSTEM
DESIGN SAFETY RELATED IN ACCORDANCE

FOR DETAILS
SEE FIGURE 6
OF
FORTHIS AREA
DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
00138-01.wmf
TYPICAL OXYGEN PLANT COMPRESSION AND DELIVERY SYSTEM
Page 63 of 75
FIGURE 2
TYPICAL AIR SEPARATION UNIT DELIVERY SYSTEM
AIR SEPARATION
UNIT (ASU)
SEE FIGURE 7
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
4
TS 6
1 PS
NOTE:
FOR SINGLE PRODUCT SUPPLY
(I.E. DIRECT PRODUCT SUPPLY
TO THE PIPELINE FROM THE ASU)
THESE VALVES ARE REQUIRED.
FOR SINGLE OR MULTIPLE

COMPRESSOR ARRANGEMENTS
REFER TO FIGURE #9 FOR DETAIL
VALVE REQUIREMENTS.
SEE FIGURE 6
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
TO COMPRESSOR
OR PIPELINE
TO COMPRESSOR
OR PIPELINE
IF PRESENT
00138-02.wmf

Page 64 of 75
SEE FIGURE 7
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
RESTRICTED
23
21
22

SEE FIGURE 10
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
SEE FIGURE 9
7
FOR DETAILS 12 12
OF THIS AREA 13
20 18 19
PDI
16 17 15 26 PT TE
FROM
FIGURE 3
SUPPLY TO
15
SOURCE 16 TE 14 AE
PIPELINE
11 TE
PDI
14 30
SEE FIGURE 11
s
FOR DETAILS
27 OF THIS AREA

27 8
29
PT
RUN-IN GAS
SUPPLY 29A
28
SEE FIGURE 12
CENTRIFUGAL OXYGEN COMPRESSOR SYSTEM
FOR DETAILS

OF THIS AREA
00138-03.wmf
Page 65 of 75
SEE FIGURE 87
FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
23
COOLING
FLUID 22
RESTRICTED
8
21
27 SEE FIGURE 10
11
20 14 FOR DETAILS

TE
TS 15
OF THIS AREA
31 31
32 32 20
PDI 35 12 35 18 19
9
SEE FIGURE 10 20
FOR DETAILS 11 15 26 PT
PS TS
TE
32 32
OF THIS AREA
7
29B
31 31 TS
TE
FIGURE 4
FS PDI
14
29C
27
DISTANCE
COOLING
PIECE
34 34 FLUID SEE FIGURE 11
12

NITROGEN
PURGE GAS FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
SEE FIGURE 12
13
FOR DETAILS PT
33 PS TO
OF THIS AREA PIPELINE
RECIPROCATING OXYGEN COMPRESSOR SYSTEM
RECEIVERS

FROM
SUPPLY
SOURCE
00138-04.wmf
Page 66 of 75
FIGURE 5
HIGH-PRESSURE GASEOUS OXYGEN STORAGE SYSTEM
FROM
BOOSTER
COMPRESSOR
60
61 61B
SEE FIGURE 13 SEE FIGURE 13
FOR DETAILS FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA OF THIS AREA
61A 61A
68
65 62
63
64 NOTE:
SEE FIGURE 13 PDT IS FOR
PDT 64A FOR DETAILS INDICATION
OF THIS AREA ONLY NOT FOR
PERMISSIVE
68
SEE FIGURE 13
67
FOR DETAILS 65
OF THIS AREA SEE FIGURE 13
66 FOR DETAILS
OF THIS AREA
PT
61A
FROM TO
MAIN PIPELINE
COMPRESSOR
15
00138-05.wmf

Page 67 of 75
FIGURE 6
AIR SEPARATION UNIT (ASU) ISOLATION
3A
PDT
3
TO
FROM AIR COMPRESSOR
SEPARATION OR
UNIT PIPELINE
(ASU) 8D 8D
2D 2D 2D
MIN. MIN. MIN.
SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED OF
VELOCITY EXEMPT MATERIALS
(PIPING AND VALVES)
00138-06.wmf

Page 68 of 75
FIGURE 7
OXYGEN VENT VALVE AND SILENCER
THE DRAIN MUFFLER SHALL BE

IS TYPICALLY IN THE CONSTRUCTED
SCOPE OF THE OF VELOCITY SHALL BE
SUPPLIER. EXEMPT CONSTRUCTED
IT IS SOMETIMES DRAIN MATERIALS, OF MATERIALS,
MOUNTED ON THE MUFFLER REFER TO AS REQUIRED
SILENCER AND SECT. 4.15. BY CRITERIA
SOMETIMES ON THE DEFINED IN
UPSTREAM PIPING EN-6.
FROM
PIPELINE
00138-07.wmf

Page 69 of 75
PT
46
47
SEAL GAS
51 50 50A SUPPLY 48A
HI PDT LO LO PDT HI HI PDT LO PI PI
48A
PROCESS SEAL BUFFER SEAL VENT SEAL
RESTRICTED
48
FI
TO
GAS SEAL FI
BUFFER GAS PROCESS
49 49 GAS 2 SEAL
48 (TYP.)

52
OXYGEN RECOVERY TO 54A
LOW PRESSURE SOURCE
(REFER TO NOTE 1) PI PI
54A
52
OXYGEN RECOVERY TO O2 &
HIGH PRESSURE SOURCE BUFFER BUFFER
(REFER TO NOTE 1) OIL SEAL
TO OIL
GAS GAS SEAL 2
O2 VENT VENT BUFFER GAS
49 49 (TYP.)
PT PT
54 54 54
FIGURE 8
53
GAS SEAL
GAS SEAL
GAS SEAL
GAS SEAL
GAS SEAL
BEARING
OIL SEAL

TELL TALE
OIL DRAIN
54B
NOTE 1: NEED FOR DUAL PRESSURE RECOVERY SHALL ONLY APPLY WHEN SPECIFIED OR WHEN SEAL DESIGN IS SO EQUIPED.

NOTE 2: FOR GAS AND OIL SEAL DESIGNS WHICH OFFER A FREE AND CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROTOR SHAFT BETWEEN THE GAS AND THE OIL SEAL, THE DEPICTED
MONITORING AND PROTECTION SCHEME MAY BE USED. FOR GAS AND OIL SEAL DESIGNS WHICH DO NOT OFFER A FREE AND CLEAR VIEW OF THE
SHAFT BETWEEN THE GAS AND THE OIL SEAL, AN ADDITIONAL PDT 50A (VENT SEAL) WITH PERMISSIVE, ALARM AND SHUTDOWN FUNCTIONALITY
SHALL BE REQUIRED BETWEEN THE BUFFER GAS VENT AND THE SEAL GAS BUFFER GAS INJECTION PORT AS DEPICTED IN PHANTOM.
CENTRIFUGAL OXYGEN COMPRESSOR GAS AND OIL SEAL SYSTEM
00138-08.wmf
Page 70 of 75
FIGURE 9
OXYGEN COMPRESSOR SUCTION ISOLATION
(PIPING AND VALVES)
8D 2D 8D
MIN.
10
FROM
SUPPLY TO MAIN
SOURCE COMPRESSOR
24
FROM RUN-IN
GAS SUPPLY
00138-09.wmf
Note: Refer to paragraph 4.20 to clarify requirements for isolation valve bypass valves.
FIGURE 10
OXYGEN COMPRESSOR RECIRCULATION VALVE
(PIPING AND VALVE)
8D 8D
TO SUCTION FROM DISCHARGE

OF COMPRESSOR OF COMPRESSOR
DB 22
PLATE
00138-10.wmf

Page 71 of 75
FIGURE 11
OXYGEN COMPRESSOR DISCHARGE ISOLATION
PDT
25A
25
TO
PIPELINE
FROM OR
COMPRESSOR PIPELINE
8D 8D RECEIVERS
2D 2D
MIN. MIN.
(PIPING AND VALVES)
00138-11.wmf

Page 72 of 75
FIGURE 12
OXYGEN COMPRESSOR RUN-IN CONTROL AND ISOLATION
FROM
TO SUCTION OF
SUPPLY
COMPRESSOR
SOURCE
SHALL BE
CONSTRUCTED
OF VELOCITY
EXEMPT MATERIALS
(PIPING & VALVES)
*5PD S
8D
*10PD PT 9A
FROM
RUN-IN
GAS
SUPPLY
* ILLUSTRATES PHYSICAL LOCATION OF BLEED CONNECTION
00138-12.wmf
NOTE:
Refer to Section 5.2, #9, to clarify requirements for automatic versus
manual valve applications.

Page 73 of 75
FIGURE 13
OXYGEN MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC ISOLATION VALVES
(PIPING AND VALVE)
8D 8D
PDT
FROM
PIPELINE TO
OR SUPPLY PIPELINE
SOURCE
Note:
Refer to Section 4.2 of this Standard
to clarify requirements for automatic
versus manual valve applications.
00138-13.wmf
FIGURE 14
OXYGEN PIPELINE CHECK VALVES
(PIPING AND VALVE)
8D
FROM
PIPELINE TO
OR SUPPLY PIPELINE
SOURCE
00138-14.wmf

Page 74 of 75
ENTRANCES TO BARRIER SHALL BE ARRANGED
TO AVOID LINE-OF-SIGHT EXPOSURE FROM
COMPRESSOR TO PERSONNEL OUTSIDE OF BARRIER
RESTRICTED
NOTE:
POTENTIAL OXYGEN ENRICHED ATMOSPHERE AND
ENTRY PROHIBITED WHEN COMPRESSOR IS OPERATING BARRIER WALL MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 8’-0” (2.5 m) HIGH

IN OXYGEN SERVICE. WARNING SIGNS ARE REQUIRED AND AT LEAST 2’-0” (0.6 m) ABOVE THE HIGHEST PART OF
AT ALL BARRIER ENTRANCES.
THE EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING COOLERS & PIPING).
(1 m)
MIN.
WALL HEIGHT SHALL ALSO BE SUFFICIENT TO SHIELD PERSONNEL
3’ - 0”
AT ELEVATED AREAS SUCH AS COLD BOX PLATFORM THAT ARE
WITHIN 100’-0” (30 m) LINE-OF-SIGHT DISTANCE.
“A” “A”
MIN.
0.6 m
2’ - 0”
FIGURE 15
MAINTAIN A MINIMUM
MIN.
8’ - 0”
(2.5 m)
3’ - 0” (1 m) CLEAR
AISLE AROUND EQUIP.

(1 m)
MIN.
FOR BARRIER WALL CONSTRUCTION
3’ - 0”
AND DESIGN CRITERIA,
REFER TO SECTIONS 4.12 AND 4.13
OF THIS STANDARD
PLAN VIEW SECTIONAL ELEVATION “A” - “A”

00138-15.wmf
BARRIER WALL CRITERIA FOR TYPICAL OXYGEN COMPRESSOR
Page 75 of 75

En 0004

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

En 0004

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PRAXAIR STANDARD EN-4

ISSUE DATE 6/30/64

DESIGN OF NON-CRYOGENIC OXYGEN SYSTEMS

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

2.0 APPLICABLE STANDARDS

2.1 Praxair Standards

The following is a list of Praxair Standards, and code requirements specifically

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

• EN-9 Installation of Rotating and Reciprocating Machinery Vibration Switches

2.2 Codes and Standards

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

Type of Association, EN-4

3.0 CONTROLS AND INSTRUMENTATION

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

• Providing a safe working environment for plant personnel,

• Providing a safe environment for the neighboring populace,

• Preventing damage to neighboring property,

• Minimizing the effects of Equipment damage caused by a plant emergency, and

• Maintaining a continuous supply of oxygen product to the customers, if feasible.

Note: Instrumentation associated with Equipment within barrier/shields is for machinery

4.0 OPERATIONAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Flammability of metals is strongly influenced by oxygen purity, pressure, temperature and

Flammability of nonmetallic materials is less influenced by oxygen purity. Generally, it is

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.1 Oxygen Equipment – General

Hazard: Fire due to presence of contaminants

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.2 Piping and Piping/Equipment Connections

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: Top entry connections are preferred

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.3 Valve Materials

Hazard: Fire due to high velocity particle impact.

4.4 Automatic Valves – Valve Action

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.5 Safety Relief Valves

Hazard: Fire due to high velocity particle impact.

4.6 Nonmetallic Materials

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.7 Equipment Arrangement

Hazard: Injury to personnel and/or damage to adjacent Equipment in the event of an

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.8 Lube Oil Reservoirs

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.9 Piping Arrangement

Hazard: Fire due to damage to piping leading to a loss of containment; personnel

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

Hazard: Fire due to the creation of oxygen-enriched atmospheres, asphyxiation due

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

4.11 Control Room, Storeroom, Maintenance Shop, and Office

Hazard: Personnel injury arising from an Equipment incident.

4.12 Barrier and Shield – Application

Hazard: Injury to personnel and/or damage to adjacent Equipment arising from an

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE

NOTE: ITALIC PORTIONS OF THIS TEXT ARE