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3
General operation
3.1
Operation of the N-Gen nitrogen generator
The N-Gen nitrogen generator regulates the pressure in a pressure vessel or directly to a consumer. How the N-Gen does this is
explained in the next steps. The system requires a compressed air supply for this.
3.1.1
Compressed air supply
Step 1.
The compressor draws in the air from the environment and compresses it to a pressure of 10 bar(g). Depending on the
installation, this can also be lower with a minimum supply pressure of 6 bar. The compressor has a storage tank for
compressed air and maintains constant pressure. From the storage vessel, the compressed air is transported to the
nitrogen generator via a hose or a fixed line. In the nitrogen generator, the water and the oil residue are separated from
the compressed air by two filters.
3.1.2
Nitrogen production
Step 1.
The pressure in the pressure vessel is monitored by means of a pressure switch or a pressure measurement from an
external system. When the pressure becomes too low, a start command will be generated directly or indirectly and the N-
Gen will start producing the nitrogen. If there is no pressure vessel, the system is controlled by an external or other
contact.
Step 2.
Nitrogen production starts with drawing in compressed air from the compressor. The compressed air is transported to
the PSA tubes where the Pressure Swing Adsorption process takes place. The N-Gen High Performance nitrogen
generator has 2 PSA tubes for this process. The N-Gen Single Tube nitrogen generator uses only 1 PSA tube for this in
conjunction with a nitrogen storage pressure vessel. The oxygen that is left over from the Pressure Swing Adsorption
process is blown back into the immediate area, but can also be discharged into a channel or to the outside if required.
The remaining mix of oxygen and nitrogen has a purity between 95.0 and 99.9999 vol .%N2. The nitrogen mix is fed to the
pressure vessel and the pressure is increased.
Step 3.
When the pressure is at the desired level, the start command is canceled. The nitrogen generator completes the
production cycle. The compressor will continuously maintain the compressed air pressure. When compressed air is no
longer used by the nitrogen generator, the compressor will also turn off.
Summary of Contents for N-Gen
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