Inert gas generator for ships (nitrogen)
PSA Aalborg Industries

The nitrogen pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process concentrates nitrogen from air by utilising the faster rate of adsorption of oxygen over nitrogen of a unique carbon molecular sieve (CMS).

The SMIT GAS™ nitrogen PSA plants use a two‑bed process, which has been developed over a number of years.
As compressed and dehumidified air passes over a bed of CMS, oxygen is adsorbed initially at a faster rate than
nitrogen, causing the product gas leaving the bed to be enriched nitrogen.

After a set period of time, the air flow over the bed is stopped and the bed is depressurised. As this happens, gas
adsorbed on the CMS is desorbed and is vented away. When this regeneraration of the CMS is complete, the bed can be repressurized ready to go back on stream to produce more nitrogen.

The CMS used is based on coconut as raw material. This is superior in quality for this application.

The plant consists of three main components:

* A fresh water cooled oil injected rotary screw compressor
* A 407C filled refrigeration dryer
* A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit with buffer tank