PEAK
Scientific Instruments Ltd
Zero Air Gas Generator
Instructions for use Manual
30
th
March 2005
ZA015 Issue 3
8
5
Principle of Operation
The Z015-108 Zero Air generator works on the fundamental principle of Catalytic Oxidation as illustrated
in the following pneumatic diagram.
Heater Rod
Thermocouple
Outlet
ZAxxx Pneumatic Diagram
Inlet Filter /
Regulator
Cat
Chamber
Cooling
Coil
Zero Air
Generation
Inlet air is passed into the Generator via a coalescing filter, which removes bulk moisture and particles
down to 0.1 micron. The air is then passed to the 'Zero Air' catalytic combustion chamber. This works on
the principle of catalytic oxidation where hydrocarbons from the incoming compressed air supply are
cracked
to carbon dioxide and water. The hydrocarbon level in the form of methane is reduced to
<0.1ppm, for this process to work the catalyst requires to be heated to approximately 400 degrees
Celsius. The free Carbon and Hydrogen atoms then combine with Oxygen in the air to form Carbon
Dioxide and Water.
After the catalytic chamber the air passes through a simple cooling coil to reduce its temperature to a
safe level. In the ZA180 this is assisted by a cooling fan.
