Fire prevention
HP-PSA vs Hypoxic Air Membrane: nitrogen at half the energy cost
We do not put out fires. We prevent them from occurring. LOX® HP-PSA technology from FX Prevent halves the energy cost of producing nitrogen compared with systems based on a hypoxic air membrane.
Under 2 m³ of compressed air per cubic metre of nitrogen
The LOX® system's specially developed pressure vessels use less than 2 m³ of compressed air to produce 1 m³ of 95% pure nitrogen. No other system on the market achieves the same; other systems often need up to 3 m³ of compressed air to produce 1 m³ of nitrogen.
In addition to the energy saving in N2 production itself, the LOX® system needs a smaller compressor to deliver the required volume of air – which means a lower investment cost.
- Under 2 m³ of compressed air per 1 m³ of nitrogen at 95% purity
- Other systems: often up to 3 m³ of compressed air per 1 m³ of nitrogen
- 50% lower energy cost than a hypoxic air membrane system
- A smaller compressor means lower capital expenditure
What HP technology changes in a PSA plant
PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption. Starting from that technology, FX Prevent has developed a new system – HP, High Performance – that reduces the known weaknesses of traditional PSA systems.
Two things set HP apart: optimised airflow through the system, and FX Prevent's patented Pre-load mechanism, which presses the CMS (Carbon Molecular Sieve) pellets together. The improvements make the system more environmentally friendly and cut energy consumption.
Carbon dust: the risk every PSA system has to manage
The greatest perceived risk with PSA-type nitrogen generators is a blow-out in the carbon filters (CMS), which causes a cloud of carbon dust.
LOX® HP-PSA (High-Performance Pressure Swing Adsorption) is fitted with FX Prevent's patented Pre-load mechanism, developed to counteract atomisation. It reduces the risk significantly compared with most other PSA systems on the market today, but the risk of carbon dust never disappears entirely from a PSA system.
FX Prevent therefore always supplies AM dust filters in the nitrogen line on LOX systems, to capture unwanted particles.
The filters can be monitored on differential pressure (Δp), giving early warning if dust particles begin to clog them. Combined with sound service routines and filter monitoring, the risk of a blow-out in a LOX system is minimal.
- AM particulate filter (standard): captures dust particles from 0.3 µm and up
- AME particulate filter: captures particles as small as 0.01 µm
- The filters also protect against aerosols, moisture, oil vapour and odours
- Δp monitoring warns before a filter clogs
15–17% oxygen: the area stays in normal use
The fire-protected area can be used as usual by employees, because the oxygen level is only reduced to 15–17%. That is equivalent to working at an altitude of between 1,750 and 2,500 metres above sea level.
All research indicates this is unproblematic. If you have medical restrictions on flying or on spending time at those altitudes, talk to a doctor before staying for extended periods in an area with reduced oxygen.
Environment
We take environmental considerations into account in every part of the business, and we meet all legal requirements in the environmental field.
About this article
Nils H. Sopp, Senior Solution Advisor. Ski, 18.10.2017.
The energy cost of producing nitrogen is 50% lower with LOX® HP-PSA than with systems based on a hypoxic air membrane. The LOX® system uses under 2 m³ of compressed air per 1 m³ of nitrogen, where other systems often need up to 3 m³. It also requires a smaller compressor, which lowers the initial investment.
The oxygen level is reduced only to 15–17%, and the fire-protected area can be used as usual by employees. This is equivalent to working at 1,750–2,500 metres above sea level, and all research indicates it is unproblematic. If you have medical restrictions on flying or on spending time at those altitudes, talk to a doctor before extended periods in the area.
The greatest perceived risk is a blow-out in the carbon filters (CMS), which causes a cloud of carbon dust. FX Prevent's patented Pre-load mechanism reduces that risk significantly compared with most other PSA systems on the market today, and AM dust filters in the nitrogen line capture particles that get through. The risk does not disappear entirely from a PSA system.
The standard AM particulate filter captures dust particles from 0.3 µm and up, while the AME filter captures particles as small as 0.01 µm. Both also protect against aerosols, moisture, oil vapour and odours.
HP-PSA stands for High-Performance Pressure Swing Adsorption. FX Prevent developed it from traditional PSA technology by optimising airflow through the system and adding the patented Pre-load mechanism, which presses the CMS (Carbon Molecular Sieve) pellets together.