Purging Applications

Equipment startup requires air removal preventing explosive mixtures. Maintenance isolation displaces hydrocarbons from vessels and piping. Emergency depressuring uses nitrogen padding preventing vacuum formation. Tank blanketing maintains inert atmosphere during operations.

Unit Components

Nitrogen storage vessel providing surge capacity, pressure regulators reducing to purge pressure, flow measurement and control, distribution manifold with multiple outlet connections, pressure relief protection, monitoring instruments. Complete integrated package ready for operation.

Nitrogen Source

On-site generation from membrane or PSA systems. Bulk liquid nitrogen with vaporizer. Cylinder banks for small requirements. Tube trailers for temporary operations. Source selection depends on consumption rate, purity requirements, and facility infrastructure.

Pressure Control

High-pressure storage typically 150-300 psig. Regulators reduce to purge pressure usually 5-50 psig depending on application. Precise control prevents equipment overpressure while maintaining adequate flow displacing gases.

Flow Management

Individual outlet valves control flow to multiple purge points. Flowmeters verify rates meeting purge procedures. Automated systems sequence multiple equipment purges. Manual operation for simple applications.

Purity Requirements

Standard nitrogen 95-98% sufficient for most purging. High-purity 99.9%+ for sensitive processes or oxygen-free requirements. Dewpoint specification prevents moisture introduction. Quality monitoring ensures specification compliance.

Applications

Refinery and chemical plant equipment commissioning, pipeline commissioning and decommissioning, vessel entry preparation, reactor inerting, storage tank blanketing, and any operation requiring inert atmosphere or hydrocarbon displacement.

Safety Features

Pressure relief prevents system overpressure. Low-pressure alarms warn of supply depletion. Flow verification ensures adequate purge rates. Oxygen monitoring confirms inert atmosphere achievement before entry or startup.

Purge Procedures

Initial displacement using calculated nitrogen volumes. Verification through oxygen analysis. Maintained padding pressure during work. Final purge before return to service. Unit design supports procedural requirements.

Material Construction

Carbon steel vessels and piping suitable for nitrogen. Stainless steel components where cleanliness critical. Pressure regulators and instruments rated for service. Skid-mounted for portability or permanent installation.

Performance Benefits

Ensures safe equipment isolation and commissioning. Prevents explosive atmosphere formation. Enables maintenance access. Protects process equipment from oxidation. Proven inert gas technology.

Construction Standards

Pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII. Piping per B31.3 process piping code. Regulators and instruments per manufacturer standards. Complete system documentation with purge calculations.

ERGIL purge nitrogen units provide reliable inert gas supply for safe equipment purging and commissioning in process facilities.