Air System Process Flow

Air Dryers
Drying of Instrument Air is essential to avoid:
(1)Corrosion of the systems and the instruments
(2)Deposition, which can cause damage to instruments and plugging
of small lines and nozzles
(3)Removal of lubricants from controllers
(4)Blockage and possible rupture of instruments and air lines in
freezing climates
Dew point for PA
The drying of PA is essential in freezing climates.
- Pressure dew point: generally 10OC below the minimum ambient
temp.
B. AIR SYSTEM TYPICAL EQUIPMENT Dew point for IA
Air Compressors - Pressure dew point: generally, -40OC, moisture content of 10 ppm
• Pressurizes the air to reach users (No water condensing at 10OC below the minimum ambient
• Rated discharge pressure for most applications is normally temperature).
800-900 kpag For example:
Intercoolers The dew point of -40OC at atmosphere is equal to approx.-18 OC at 9
• Reduce the temp. of air before it enters the next stage of barg Vice versa; The dew point of -40OC at 9 barg is equal to approx.-
compression 59 OC at atmosphere.
• Normally water cooled
• Moisture traps are normally provided Air Dryer Types
Aftercooler

• Discharge cooler
• Reduces air temp. for good gas-liquid separation
facilitated at air receiver/s
Two compressors of 100% design capacity are generally provided
to maintain security of operation.
- one operating, one stand-by
- each driver to be powered from an alternate energy
source such as one motor / one steam turbine or
two motors with redundant electric power sources.
- the stand-by compressor to serve as an automatic
backup, activated by a predetermined low pressure
signal of IA system.
- three compressors with 50% design capacity may
be provided if economical (usually more than 5,000 Heatless Regenerated (Pressure Swing) Adsorption (PSA)
Nm3/h). • Driving force: Pressure Difference
• Operating Pressure expanded to Atmospheric Pressure
• Dew point to -73°C
Air Dryer Types
The regenerative type desiccant dryer (activated alumina, silica gel,
molecular sieve).
- Heatless Regenerated (Pressure Swing) Adsorption (PSA)
- Heat Regenerated Adsorption

Figure-1: Oil-free Centrifugal Air Compressor

 Gas Cylinder System

• Driving force: Temperature Difference

• Heaters are required.
• Dew point to -73°C

C. NITROGEN SYSTEM PROCESS FLOW

Liquid Tank System

D. NITROGEN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

Membrane Separation
Pressure Swing Adsorption
► Nitrogen PSA- activated carbon molecular sieve to remove
impurities (O2)
► Oxygen PSA- zeolite to remove impurities (N2) + alumina
to remove bulk H2O

Cryogenic Distillation
► CRYOGENIC - very low temperature [ below -150°C ]
► DISTILLATION - separation of components based on
differences in volatility