Product Introduction of Nitrogen Generators for Petrochemical Industry

Nitrogen generators specifically designed for the petrochemical industry are primarily used for nitrogen production within this sector. Nitrogen is employed to establish an inert atmosphere during the processing, storage, and transfer of flammable materials such as petroleum, thereby eliminating and replacing harmful toxic and flammable gases. Simultaneously, in the chemical industry, nitrogen serves as a crucial raw material for the production of synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, acrylic), synthetic resins, synthetic rubber, among others. Nitrogen is also utilized in the manufacturing of fertilizers, such as ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Currently, the chemical industry is one of the sectors with the most extensive application of nitrogen equipment.

Working Principle and Process of Nitrogen Generators for Petrochemical Industry

Nitrogen generators for the petrochemical industry utilize high-quality carbon molecular sieve as the adsorbent and operate on the principle of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) to obtain nitrogen. Depending on the nitrogen consumption and usage requirements in the petrochemical industry, the process flow of each unit may vary slightly, but the basic flow and configuration are as follows: air compressor → storage tank → pipeline filter → refrigerated dryer (or other regenerative drying towers) → (ultra) fine filter → oil remover → buffer storage tank → adsorption towers A/B (dual-tower process) → dust filter → nitrogen buffer storage tank → nitrogen analyzer → end-user. Air is compressed by the compressor to 0.8 MPa, cooled to room temperature in the air storage tank, and then passes through the pipeline filter for oil-water separation before entering the refrigerated dryer. It then flows through the fine filter, ultra-fine filter, and oil remover to remove oil and liquid water before reaching the buffer storage tank. Subsequently, it enters the pressure swing adsorption separation system composed of carbon molecular sieve adsorption towers. After compressed air enters from the bottom of the container, oxygen, moisture, and other impurities in the air are selectively adsorbed by the adsorbent, while the remaining components (primarily nitrogen) exit from the outlet end, pass through the dust filter, enter the nitrogen buffer tank, and are output as product nitrogen after the nitrogen buffer tank. The adsorption tower then undergoes processes such as pressure equalization and depressurization to atmospheric pressure to remove the adsorbed impurity components, completing the regeneration of the carbon molecular sieve. The two adsorption towers operate alternately in cycles, continuously introducing air and producing nitrogen. After measurement and analysis by the nitrogen analyzer to ensure purity standards are met, the nitrogen enters the nitrogen delivery main for use. The entire process is automatically controlled by a PLC control system. The nitrogen purity can reach up to 99.99%, with the nitrogen pressure typically designed around 0.6 MPa.

Functions of Nitrogen Generators for Oil and Gas Extraction

1. Purging containers, pipelines, reactors, and isolation chambers.

2. Synthetic fiber spinning, wire drawing to prevent chlorination, and equipment corrosion protection.

3. Nitrogen blanketing in paint and coating production to prevent polymerization during oil drying.

4. Providing protective gas for oil tankers (nitrogen sealing and purging gas above the oil surface).

5. Used as an inert gas, primarily for safe handling.

6. Served as one of the feedstock gases for synthetic ammonia production.

7. Employed as equipment protection gas to isolate air and safeguard equipment (used for pressurization inside ultra-low carbon equipment).

8. Protecting catalysts during the shutdown period of process systems.