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This section contains helpful information regarding the technologies involved the manufacturing and application of Orion Group International.   To the best of Orion Group International's knowledge this information is accurate and reflects the best resources currently available. However, there there is no intent to represent this information as fact and Orion Group International takes no responsibility for any inaccurate or misleading information contained within this section.  If you have any additional questions, comments or recommendations please contact Orion Group International.  Your input is of great value and is deeply appreciated.

Basics of Pressure Swing Adsorportion

 

This section contains basic information regarding Pressure Swing Absorption technology and how it can effectively and efficiently create high purity Oxygen from ambient air.

 

 

Basics of Ozone technology and applications

 

This section contains information regarding the generation and applications            for Ozone, a powerful sanitizing and purifying agent.

 

Permeable Membrane Basics

 

This section discusses the application of permeable membrane technology especially as it applies to the on-site generation of Oxygen and Nitrogen.

 

"Quick Clot"

 

This section discusses the basic principle and applications of the rematkable "Quick Clot" product. (Information available soon)

 

PSA(Pressure Swing Absorption) separation and refining plant is a cost-saving  method to give high-purity industrial gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and argon from air and various material gases by using adsorbents suitable for gas separation by changing pressure.

PSA Oxygen 

PSA technology is especially effective in producing low cost Nitrogen and Oxygen on-site and on-demand.  For example lets look at generating oxygen using PSA techniques.  

The air we breathe contains roughly 78% nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, .9% argon and the balance is other gases.  The oxygen is separated from the air using PSA Technology. The process centers around a molecular sieve known as Zeolite.  

At high pressures the sieve adsorbs nitrogen, and at low pressures it desorbs or releases nitrogen. PSA  generators consist of two tanks filled with sieve. As high pressure air (about 70 psi) is introduced into the first tank, it passes through the sieve and nitrogen is adsorbed. The remaining oxygen and argon are piped to a buffer or storage tank.  

Just before the first tank becomes completely saturated with nitrogen, feed air is redirected to the second tank which then repeats the above process. The first tank is then vented to atmosphere which allows the nitrogen to desorb or release from the sieve. To complete the regeneration of the first tank, a small amount of the oxygen is used to purge it. This process is completed over and over again until the demand for oxygen is met. Under normal operating conditions, which includes the use of clean dry air for separation, the sieve will last indefinitely.  

Productivity of a PSA generator is dependent on the oxygen purity required. A generator can produce significantly more oxygen at 90% purity than it can at 95.4%, with a relatively small increase in feed air. By means of a PLC or some other timing based controller, it is practical on larger generators for the user to change the swing cycles. Purity and flow levels can be selected and optimized based on changing demand variables.

ADVANTAGES

 1.      On-site oxygen production at lower cost. - The cost is approximately 1/3 to1/4 of purchase cost of liquid O₂ on a tank truck basis.

2. Output oxygen is very dry – Typical dew point is  -60°C min.  

3. Low running cost – Generator has very small power requirements.  Bulk of  energy is consumed in low pressure air supply.

4. Oxygen gas can be obtained immediately after start-up.

5. Automatic control - System fully works automatically after start-up.  

6. Compact design for small footprint  

7. On-site, on-demand

APPLICATIONS  

1. Supply of oxygen for various kinds of furnaces Electric arc furnaces for steel making, smelting of non-ferrous metals (copper, zinc, aluminum, etc.), glass making and various kinds of kilns.  

2. Pulp and paper industry - Oxygen and ozone bleaching

3. Waste water treatment facilities- Oxygen aeration and ozone generation  

4 .Chemical industry - Various kinds of oxidation reactions  

5. Fermentation industry

6 .Pisciculture

7. Air conditioning

Gas Separation applications comprise three main areas. These are: nitrogen production from air, air drying and process gas separation. Membrane based gas separation utilizes highly efficient membranes which allow selective permeation of gases. The selection process is based in differences in permeability of the different gases. The difference in permeability is based on the solubility of the various gas components in the polymeric structure of the membrane.

This results in so-called "fast" gases which permeate the membrane faster than "slow" gases, hence a separation of gases can be engineered.  Nitrogen production from compressed air is the best known application of gas separation. In this system, oxygen permeates the membrane faster than oxygen-rich off-stream with up to 45% oxygen concentration. The technology is used especially in applications where blanketing, purging or inerting is required- in all industries, including petrochemical, food, medical, paint, etc.

Air drying relies on the fact that water is extremely "fast" when compared to compressed air. Dried air with dew points as low as -40oC may be achieved. The technology offers the advantage of using no moving parts, which allows for ultra-low maintenance as well as compact design due to the use of hollow fiber membranes.  

Thanks to the absence of moving parts, compact design features and long membrane life, membrane gas separation offers significant improvement in operating costs. There are a wide range of membranes available on the international market, in order to select the most appropriate membrane for a specific application call us for details.  

Ozone (O³)

Ozone is a naturally occurring gas created from oxygen atoms. The oxygen molecule is made up of 2 oxygen atoms. These oxygen molecules are broken into atoms by the corona discharge during lightning storms or by UV light from the Sun. Single oxygen atoms cannot exist alone without regrouping back into di-atomic oxygen molecules. During this recombination stage some atoms will regroup into loosely-bonded tri-atomic oxygen called Ozone. Due to the loose bond in this oxygen molecule – ozone is a very strong oxidant and an ideal chemical-free purification and disinfecting agent.

Ozone is frequently misrepresented as harmful and equated to low-altitude pollution. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, Ozone breaks down pollutants and should be welcomed when found in the air. The most effective ways to produce Ozone commercially are through Ultra-violet radiation lamps or corona discharge systems.

When comparing disinfecting efficiency, Ozone is 25 x more effective than Hypochlorous acid (HOCI), 2,500 x better than Hypochlorite (OCI) and 5,000 x more effective than Chloramine (NH₂CI). These results are measured from the comparison of CT constants – the Concentration x Time needed to kill 99.99% of all micro-organisms. Chlorine reacts with organic materials to form objectionable organics containing Chlorine such as Chloroform, Carbon Tetrachloride, methane and others.

OZONE SOLUBILITY

The solubility of Ozone depends on the water temperature and the Ozone concentration in the gas phase but generally is 14 times more soluble in water than pure Oxygen. One limiting factor is the efficiency of the mass transfer device used. When using a Venturi, more turbulence and smaller bubbles facilitate better mass transfer. When using Bubble Diffusers, the water column should be at least 16 ft. high. Higher concentrations of Ozone in water cause more vigorous oxidation of even the most resistant organic compounds.

Ozone reacts rapidly with most odors, oxidizing them to less harmful compounds or all the way to harmless Carbon Dioxide. More and more of our furnishings and floor coverings are made from synthetic materials. Under the stagnant air conditions which prevail because of the lack of ventilation, decomposition products and solvents leach out of these synthetic materials and fill the indoor space. Much has been said about the sick building syndrome which is usually referenced to institutional buildings but they have basically the same problems as the private home.

When odors are inhaled, they increase the oxygen demand within the human body and begin to deplete the body of available oxygen. Ozone generally occurs in natural settings at around 0.02 ppm, but it can be as concentrated as 0.10 ppm. At this level it is capable of keeping pathogens in check and yet is not harmful to higher life forms such as animals or man. Ozone does not have a detrimental influence in nature. Only a prolonged exposure to highly unnaturally levels of ozone may lead to discomfort, such as a headache and coughing. This is an early warning to you that it is time to leave the space and seek better air.

ADVANTAGES

1. Ozone is a powerful broad spectrum sanitizing agent

2. Ozone is easy to generate and control

3. Ozone is extremely cost-effective and unused Ozone reverts back to Oxygen after 30 minutes rendering it completely safe

PSA Nitrogen

PSA Nitrogen is similarly produced but carbon is used instead of Zeolite as the adsorbent material.  But becuase there is four time more oxygen in air than oxygen it is much cheaper to produce with much smaller systems.

 APPLICATIONS

1. Blanketing -  During transportation of explosive or inflammable substances.  

2. Purging - Purging of tanks, pipes, etc.  

3. Heat treatment - Adjustment of atmospheric condition for bright hardening, bright annealing, carburizing, nitriding, tempering, atc.  

4. Atmospheric control - Tire vulcanization system (patented), CA storage, prevention of oxidation of edible oil. etc.  

5. Food packing - Prevention of quality deterioration of foods such as tea, instant coffee, coolies, etc.  

6. Manufacture of semiconductors, electronic parts, etc.  

7. Reflow – Furnace applications

Send mail to dhardy@oriongroupintl.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 ORION GROUP INTERNATIONAL
Last modified: 05/07/08