Nitrogen Generation by Pressure Swing Adsorption

Contents.
3 4 Introduction The process
PSA process cycle Plant control and turn down Start-up and shut-down Turndown operation Operation and maintenance Safety aspects Safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) Building / shelter

G- series nitrogen PSA

The advantages of Linde N2-PSA

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A- series nitrogen PSA

The N2-PSA layout The scope of supply

Contact

Cover page: N2 PSA Plant / El Chacay / Chile / Minera Los Pelambres

Introduction.
The experience The use of the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) process has seen tremendously growth during the last decades mainly due to its simplicity and low operating costs. Major applications have been the recovery of high purity hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide as well as the generation of nitrogen and oxygen. In addition, it has gained significance for the bulk removal of carbon dioxide from direct reduction top-gases. Linde as the world leader in adsorption technology has designed and supplied more than 500 PSA plants - including the worlds largest units and units with highest availability.
The Linde nitrogen PSA generators The Linde nitrogen PSA generators are designed for onstream applications, where there is need for clean, dry nitrogen of high purity for inerting, blanketing and purging. The capacities of the Linde nitrogen PSA generators range from small plants with product requirements of only several Nm/h, up to large-scale plants with several thousand Nm/h nitrogen product flows. Depending on client needs, the PSA plant can be designed for nitrogen product purity in the range of a few percent oxygen content or with oxygen content in the ppmv level. Linde N2-PSA systems are available in two plant series: The G-series, fully standardized with a range of 26 capacity types. The A-series, a tailored modular plant series that features highest capacities and purities. This series can be supplied to the needs of customers specifications. The nitrogen product is normally delivered between 4 barg to 9 barg (60 psig to 130 psig). In case a higher product pressure is required a downstream nitrogen compressor will be applied. Lindes PSA systems have proven to be successful in cases where performance, flexibility, availability and reliability are the determining factors. High quality and easy accessibility to all components minimize and facilitate maintenance to the maximum extent.

The process.
The separation of nitrogen and oxygen from air takes place in an adsorber vessel filled with carbon molecular sieve. This is based on the fact of faster kinetic diffusion of oxygen molecules into the pore structure of the carbon molecular sieve than for nitrogen molecules.

Pressure time diagram for nitrogen PSA process

Carbon molecular sieve

Adsorber A B C A: B: C: D: E: Pressure equalization Back purge step Nitrogen production Pressure equalization Depressurization Pressure

A E

Adsorber B

Time

to atmosphere Waste

PSA N2-buffer

O2-analyzer AE Nitrogen

Adsorber A

Silencer

Adsorber B

Air compressor Air

Compressed air Nitrogen Waste gas

Typical process flow diagram of a Linde nitrogen PSA plant

PSA process cycle The PSA process cycle consists of two key mechanisms: Pressurisation/adsorption Depressurisation/desorption Compressed air alternately pressurises each of two identical adsorber beds. Beginning at a point in the cycle where one adsorber bed (A) is being pressurised and the other adsorber bed (B) is undergoing depressurisation, the description of the PSA process cycle is as follows: As compressed air enters adsorber bed A, moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are adsorbed. After operating pressure is reached, nitrogen

product flows from adsorber bed A into a nitrogen product receiver prior to entering the product piping. Simultaneously, adsorber bed B is depressurised to atmospheric pressure. Upon completion of nitrogen production from adsorber bed A, an equalisation step occurs. Adsorber bed B (atmospheric pressure) is pressurised to an intermediate pressure as the gas remaining in adsorber bed A (at operating pressure) flows into adsorber bed B. During this step, air is not consumed nor is product gas generated. Therefore a nitrogen receiver is applied to allow for a constant flow, purity and pressure of the nitrogen product throughout the PSA cycle. Adsorber bed A then undergoes depressurisa-

tion and the oxygen enriched waste gas is vented to the atmosphere. Depressurisation permits the release of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor previously adsorbed during nitrogen production from adsorber bed A. At the same time, adsorber bed B is brought to operating pressure, and begins its nitrogen production portion of the cycle. Following nitrogen production, adsorber bed B undergoes equalisation and subsequent depressurisation. The cycle continues at the point where adsorber bed A undergoes pressurisation and adsorber bed B is depressurised.

Plant control and turn down The N2-PSA plant is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). Its main control features include: Automatic operation of the entire N2-PSA plant Supervision of process parameters with safety shut down and alarm in case of abnormal plant operation Control of the process values on a display Sophisticated plant diagnostics The (im)purity of the product is being checked continuously by an automatic online O2-analyzer.

Start-up and shut-down The start-up of the plant is a simple push button operation. The product is being delivered within a short time from start-up. At shut-down of the plant, a precisely defined programme cycle continues to run for a few minutes before complete shut-down is reached. The adsorbers are then in regenerated conditions and prepared for restart of operation. After restart product in accordance with specification can be produced within a few minutes.

Turndown operation The plant flowrate can be reduced by inserting an idle step in the cycle thus saving plant power. This is performed automatically by the PLC. The PLC program adjusts process parameters accordingly.

Typical A-series nitrogen PSA

Refinery

Glass

Purging

Metals Preserving

Treating Petrochemical Storing

Blanketing

LINDE N2-PSA APPLICATIONS

Filling

Oil & gas

Chemical

Spinning

Inerting

Food

Electronics

Application of PSA generated Nitrogen

Operation and maintenance The LINDE N2-PSA plant is designed to run unattended during normal operation. The plant requires a minimum of operating and maintenance attention. The N2-PSA will be designed and constructed to provide proper flexibility and easy accessibility for operation and maintenance of the machinery, valves and instrumentation.

Safety aspects The plant operates at moderate temperatures and pressures. All necessary safety devices to avoid increased pressures, excessive or insufficient temperature or other failure functions are provided. Safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) Controls relating to safety, health, environment and quality are a pre-requisite for the Linde work processes.

Building/shelter Due to the severe ambient conditions and in order to protect the PSA unit from driving rain and direct sunlight, it is strongly recommended to install the PSA unit in a closed shelter, at least a roof covering the valve skid and the compressor shall be supplied.

G-series nitrogen PSA.

The G-series comprises fully standardized nitrogen PSA generators with 26 plant sizes and hence providing optimal solution within its product range and purity. Particular features of G-series nitrogen PSA Fully standardized Low investment Compact arrangement Existing standard documentation Short delivery, installation and commissioning time The product ranges for the G-series plants are: N2-product range Nitrogen (N2 +Ar) purity Oxygen impurity 50 - 1,500 Nm/h 97 - 99.9 % 3 - 0.1 %

Typical G-series nitrogen PSA plant for the generation of nitrogen, 310 Nm/h, 0.5% O2

A-series nitrogen PSA plant designed according to individual project specification

A-series Nitrogen PSA

The A-series comprise fully tailored nitrogen PSA generators. With its A-series PSA plants Linde is able to follow individual customers project specifications, standards and requirements. (e.g. for refineries etc.) Particular features of A-series nitrogen PSA Tailor made according to individual project specifications and requirements High capacity and purity range Modular and prefabricated design The product ranges for the A-series plants are: N2-product capacity Nitrogen (N2 +Ar) purity Oxygen impurity 50 - 5,000 Nm/h 97 - 99.9999 % 3 % - 1 ppm

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The advantages of Linde N2-PSA The Linde PSA process for the generation of nitrogen provides remarkable advantages: First quality Only components are used which have proven highest durability. Low nitrogen product cost The Linde PSA system produces high purity nitrogen at lowest cost compared to conventional cryogenic units or liquids supplied from outside.

Highest reliability The PSA system provides highest reliability. The control system allows for the production of nitrogen at the specified flow and purity within minutes of demand using simple push button. Easy turn-down Excellent flexibility to match actual client needs are achieved with the PSA system as it provides a turn-down ratio between 0% and 100% at unchanged purity and at nearly proportional energy consumption.

Fully automatic operation The PLC based control system controls the purity and the flow by automatically adjusting the cycle time of the PSA system. A modbus port for the communication with a plantwide DCS and/or a communication board for the remote control by a modem can be supplied as an option. Modular skid design The shop fabricated valve skid design reduces the on-site costs for erection and commissioning. Easy maintenance Only routine maintenance is required. All components are easily accessible.

Typical G-series nitrogen PSA plant mounted in a container

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A-series nitrogen PSA plant with high pressure nitrogen storage

The N2-PSA layout All components on the skid including nitrogen product analyzer and control system are completely piped and wired for quick assembly at the job site. The Linde N2-PSA nitrogen generators can be designed for indoor or outdoor installation.

The scope of supply The scope of supply mainly comprises the following material and equipment: Air compressor, if required Adsorber vessels Specially selected adsorbent material PSA buffer drum Valve skid Control system Nitrogen product O2-analyzer Nitrogen product compressor, if required

Heavy industrial standard for LINDE nitrogen PSA plants

Designing Processes - Constructing Plants.

Lindes Engineering Division continuously develops extensive process engineering know-how in the planning, project management and construction of turnkey industrial plants.

The range of products comprises: Petrochemical plants LNG and natural gas processing plants Synthesis gas plants Hydrogen plants Gas processing plants Adsorption plants Air separation plants Cryogenic plants Biotechnological plants Furnaces for petrochemical plants and refineries

Linde and its subsidiaries manufacture: Packaged units, cold boxes Coil-wound heat exchangers Plate-fin heat exchangers Cryogenic standard tanks Air heated vaporizers Spiral-welded aluminium pipes

More than 3,800 plants worldwide document the leading position of the Engineering Division in international plant construction.
HA/N/1.1.e/09

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