Technical advantages
Technical Advantages
Improved Safety
Compressed air is often used to purge control panels to help maintain safety in platform areas. Even trace amounts of oil can contribute to a flammable environment, and platform shutdown and disassembly procedures impose strict requirements on oil content in the air.
Instrument Air
Certain specialized instruments and control valves rely on compressed air for operation and start-up. Even trace amounts of oil in the compressed air can cause equipment failures. Maintenance reduces operating time and increases service time and cost.
Buffer Air
Advanced drives and controllers: to support long-term trouble-free operation, new-generation drives and controllers rely on compressed air for normal operation.
Oil-Free Process Operation
Compressed air is used in desulfurization, catalyst regeneration, process heaters, acid oxidation, gas and oil desulfurization, and other processes. Even trace amounts of oil can create risks of product contamination, equipment failure, and production interruption.
Nitrogen Production
Nitrogen separated from compressed air using membrane technology can be used to form a nitrogen blanket in liquefied natural gas tanks and to transport catalysts and reactants downstream. Oil-free air compressors can help extend membrane life, reduce replacement and maintenance costs, and reduce maintenance-related downtime.
Application Notes
Instrument control, equipment purging, pneumatic actuation, and certain processes in oil and chemical production require a stable compressed air supply. In areas involving flammable, explosive, or corrosive media, media properties, material compatibility, explosion-protection ratings, and site safety boundaries should be prioritized.
Compression system design should be based on risk identification, operating-condition boundaries, and applicable standards. Engineering selection should consider pressure, temperature, gas composition, sealing materials, equipment rating, ventilation, and monitoring conditions, with a dedicated assessment where required.
Selection & Operating Considerations
- For specialty media, first confirm compressibility, corrosiveness, explosion hazards, and compatibility with seals and materials.
- Instrument air and actuator air should prioritize supply stability, moisture content, and piping pressure drop, with necessary monitoring in place.
- Electrical systems, ventilation, monitoring, and equipment ratings in explosion-hazard areas must conform to the site's hazardous-area classification and applicable standards.
Applications
Typical Applications
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Application Example
Instrument & Valve Control Air
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Application Example
Equipment Purging & Buffer Air
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Application Example
Process Support & Nitrogen System Integration