MechChem Africa March-April 2021

⎪ Hydraulic and pneumatic systems ⎪

Nifty nitrogen from Rand-Air generators To support the growing need for nitrogen, Rand-Air, a division of Atlas Copco Specialty Rental, is able to supply a safe, high- quality solution. Rand-Air Sales and Marketing Manager Byrone Thorne explains.

A tlasCopconitrogengenerators are mobile or stationary production units that convert compressed dry air into nitrogen by separat- ing the oxygen molecules from the nitrogen molecules. These units therefore enable companies to control the amount, pressure and purity of the nitrogen they produce, ac- cording to their needs. “By supplyingAtlasCopco’s rangeof nitro - gen generators, Rand-Air focuses onmeeting these needs, enabling clients to have their required supply of nitrogen while optimising their production process at the same time, says Thorne. “Our nitrogen generators can be adapted to meet a customer’s specific ap - plications and they offer an excellent return- on-investment due to their lower operating costs,” he adds. “For customers, there are no additional costs regarding the supplyof nitrogen, suchas order processing, refills or delivery charges. In addition, maintenance costs are minimal and companies areno longer subject togasmarket volatility and price fluctuations. In addition, the potential safety hazards associated with the handling of high-pressure cylinders are also removed,” Thorne points out. To support efficient and safe manufactur - ing and maintenance, Rand-Air’s range of ni- trogen generators includes membrane nitro- gen generators, such as theNGM, andNGM+ models that use a proprietary membrane separation technology; as well as the PSA, NGP and NGP+ nitrogen generators, which are based on Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. “Membrane nitrogen generators are

ready for immediate use, as they only require a sup- ply of dry compressed air. They are also fitted with a pre-filtration pressure gauge and flow meter, to ensure accurate system monitoring at all times,” says Thorne. A focus on quality is also evident in the nitrogen generator range. TheNGM and NGM+models and the mobile NGM280, for ex- ample, deliver nitrogen of between 90% and 99% pu- rity, with production flow reducing with increased purity, dependingonneeds.

An Atlas Copco NGM280 membrane nitrogen generator available for rental from Rand Air.

“The membrane nitrogen generators, which offer high-flow capacity, are ideal for applications such as fire prevention, tyre inflation, oil and gas, maritime and others. Conversely, the NGMs are suitable and ef- ficient for low-flow nitrogen generation. “The PSA nitrogen generators (NGP and NGP+), offer the required purity with a high-flow capacity, making them suitable for a wider range of applications,” reiterates Thorne. As oil refineries and industrial sectors cannot afford inefficient shutdowns and unforeseen operational downtime, a key advantage of nitrogen generators is their continuous availability. “Nitrogen can be produced 24 hours a day, seven days a week on site. This availability ensures that the risk of production breakdown due to gas running

out is eliminated,” Thorne points out. With companies also focusing on energy savings and sustainable production, the new- generationNGP+nitrogengenerators feature premiumenergy efficiency, withanautomatic start-up, and are the ultimate energy saver: “The generators also include self-protective monitoring of feed-air quality, back-flow pressurisation, and other features,” he says. “Rand-Air constantly seeks ways to help customers make agility count. By this we mean we help them to meet their industry challenges, while also optimising efficiency, quality, health and safety. We also seek to incorporate environmentally sustainable technology and practices into our offerings. The use of the nitrogen generators fulfils all these objectives,” Thorne concludes. randair.co.za

March-April 2021 • MechChem Africa ¦ 19