Prevent Corrosion in Power Plant Boiler Tube

Boiler tubes used in power generating plants and the heating and ventilating industry are part of the  tubing components of utility and industrial boilers. The boiler tubes are generally constructed of steel, are heated and exposed to water within the boiler to generate steam.  In the case of a power generating plant, this steam plays a vital role in the production of electricity.

Due to the construction and use of power plant boiler tubes, these integral pieces of equipment are susceptible to corrosion resulting in poor performance, costly repairs, and, ultimately, failure.

Why Are Power Plant Boiler Tubes Affected By Corrosion?

The combination of steel, water, and dissolved oxygen in the boiler water initiates the corrosion, or oxidation, of the boiler tubes.  This corrosion leads to grooving in the tubes and eventually cracking that causes the failure.

Although the boiler is a closed vessel, it has been found that oxygen is introduced during the addition of water (make-up water) after a drain down for interior projects or repairs.  This water treatment method aerates the boiler water and actually promotes boiler tube corrosion.

How To Prevent Boiler Tube Corrosion

The elimination of one of the above elements - steel, water, or oxygen - can help prevent this type of corrosion and damage to the power plant boiler tubes.  

Since steel is the optimal material for boiler tube construction because of its ability to handle heat and water is of course necessary to the power generating process, it would be ideal to eliminate oxygen from this equation.

One solution for eliminating oxygen is to inert the atmosphere in the boiler using nitrogen.  Nitrogen inerting works to displace the presence of oxygen in the vessel with nitrogen gas.  Nitrogen is a clean, dry, safe gas often used for the purpose of eliminating oxygen where the presence of oxygen can cause either combustion or corrosion.

Nitrogen Generator for Boiler Tube Corrosion Prevention

South-Tek Systems designs and manufactures Nitrogen Generators for the purpose of purging and inerting for a wide variety of industries and applications.  Nitrogen is a safe, reliable, cost effective solution for maintaining power plants to keep them running smoothly and efficiently for maximum performance.

Nitrogen Generators provide an easier and more ideal alternative to high pressure nitrogen cylinders.  A generator can safely and reliably produce high purity N2 gas on-site and on-demand for a fraction of the cost of the managing high pressure cylinders.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn more about our solution to prevent boiler tube corrosion: 888-526-6284.

Nitrogen Use with Pneumatic Tools

Pneumatic Tools, also known as air tools, are tools powered by a compressor that forces air into a tank where it becomes pressurized.  The tool is then hooked up to a pneumatic air hose attached to the tank through an air valve.  Once the tool is connected to the hose and the valve is opened, the pressurized air is then forced into the tool.

Pneumatic tools are widely used for industrial purposes but have also crossed over into household use.

Traditionally, the air compressor powering the pneumatic tool is gas powered.  However, there is a growing movement to use Nitrogen gas to power these tools.  The benefits are that you can eliminate the air hose and fuel cylinders that power the air compressor (thereby eliminating any exhaust smell or residue) and fill the tool with compressed Nitrogen gas that will be used to drive the release valve or firing pin.

Using a Nitrogen Generator, the N2 gas for the tool can be recycled and used over and over.  This is a safe, clean, efficient alternative to the gas powered compressor.  It is also cost-efficient, requiring a one-time purchase with no cylinders to refill.  A Nitrogen Generator produces high purity N2 gas on-demand and on-site.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn more about Nitrogen powered Pneumatic Tools using a Nitrogen Generator: 888-526-6284.

Plastics Extrusion with Nitrogen Treatment

Plastics Extrusion is the process of melting raw plastic material to create a long, continuous shape which may be used for piping, tubing, weather stripping, and more.  Plastics Extrusion can also be used in the recycling process where the plastic material to be recycled is melted into long strips, cooled, and then shaped for new materials or cut into resins and packaged.

The cooling stage of Plastic Extrusion can be made more streamlined and efficient using Nitrogen gas as a cooling agent.  Nitrogen - a clean, dry, inert gas - has the ability to cool very quickly and set the desired shape for the plastic being treated.  It is a safe and effective method to apply to the Plastics Extrusion process.

When using Nitrogen gas during Plastic Extrusion, consider investing in a Nitrogen Generator to ensure a continuous supply of Nitrogen on-demand and on-site as needed.  A Nitrogen Generator produces high purity N2 gas in a more safe and convenient package compared with high pressure N2 gas cylinders.

You'll never run out of Nitrogen again with a Nitrogen Generator plus it yields a high Return on Investment (ROI) especially compared to cylinders supplied through a gas company contract.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn more about how our customized Nitrogen Generators can benefit your Plastic Extrusion operations today: 888-526-6284

Nitrogen for Power Plants

Threat of Corrosion to Power Plant Equipment

Corrosion, as we all know, shortens the life of power plant process equipment. The internal protection from corrosion of boiler tubes, condensers, and wetted parts within small industrial boilers, HRSG combined cycle power plants, and large gas, oil, and coal fired power plants is extremely important during short term layups, right on to the long term plant outages. Without a form of protection, during the shutdown, corrosion can occur on these wetted parts at an alarming rate.

Chemical Solution - Harmful to the Environment

One solution, if the water is able to be circulated within these power plant parts during shut down, is to inject chemical inhibitors into the water stream. But introducing such chemicals into the system has become less desirable as the disposal of such presents environmental issues. If the water is drained from the wetted parts, residual water remains within, and along with oxygen (air) introduced during the draining process, corrosion begins.

Nitrogen Solution - The Environmentally Friendly Answer

Nitrogen has been used for years to protect against corrosion in power plant equipment and similar applications. Nitrogen, which makes up 79% of the air we breathe, is the perfect “green” solution for corrosion protection in power plant equipment. Nitrogen is inert and, by displacing the oxygen within the wetted parts with a low pressure slow flow Nitrogen purge, you ultimately inhibit the oxidation/corrosion process.

In the past, power plants have purchased either banks of high pressure cylinders or liquid bulk Nitrogen to provide this form of corrosion protection. Today, with the installation of a Nitrogen Generator at your facility, you can generate your own nitrogen at a fraction of the cost versus purchasing Nitrogen cylinders or bulk liquid Nitrogen. Plus you can generate the Nitrogen on demand, and never run out.

How Does a Nitrogen Generator Benefit the Power Plant?

The Nitrogen Generator simply separates mechanically, the Nitrogen molecules from the other molecules found within the air and stores the Nitrogen until needed for your process use. South-Tek Systems offers a complete line of reliable, cost effective Nitrogen Generators sized for your application. By using our Flow Rate Verification System and knowing the flow rates of Nitrogen required, a Nitrogen Generator can be sized and installed at your facility accordingly, allowing you to realize the significant cost savings yielded by this technology.

 PSA N2 Series Nitrogen Generators

South-Tek Systems' Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Technology in our N2-Series Nitrogen Generators produces high purity N2 gas in a safe, reliable, convenient, and cost effective process.  These systems provide great benefits to the power industry and are easy to integrate and maintain.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn more about N2 Generators and the power industry: 888-526-6284.

De-fog and Waterproof your Optics with Nitrogen

Nitrogen gas is often used with optical instruments such as night vision goggles, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars, and cameras for a number of reasons.

1. Purging - Night vision goggles and other infrared and thermal imaging devices require purging with N2 gas in order to eliminate air from the goggles that could affect the clarity of vision that is so vital to these instruments.  
2. Prevent Internal Fogging - Filling optical instruments with Nitrogen replaces naturally occurring Oxygen and prevents the presence of moisture that can fog the devices.
3. Create a Waterproof Environment - Some optical instruments purged with Nitrogen are then sealed to prevent any loss of N2 gas caused by changes in pressure or temperature.  This sealing process makes Nitrogen-purged instruments waterproof.
4. Prevent Fungus and Mold Development - Nitrogen is a dry gas able to absorb and eliminate moisture when used to displace Oxygen in an environment.  The presence of Nitrogen prevents the development of fungus and mold that can easily form in moist, enclosed atmospheres.
   

Routine Nitrogen Purging of Optical Instruments

Nitrogen is such an important element in the efficacy of optical instruments.  Some devices require routine Nitrogen purging to ensure optimal results - that the instruments remain fog-proof and waterproof.

For instance, military personnel regularly purge night vision goggles to refill them with dry Nitrogen gas and eliminate them of contaminants and moisture.  For this purpose, a compact, portable Nitrogen Generator provides the best possible solution for purging.  Especially for soldiers in the field, a Nitrogen source that is lightweight, portable, reliable, safe, and efficient is the best possible choice.

South-Tek Systems manufactures portable Nitrogen Generators used exactly for this purpose.  In fact, the N2 GEN portable system has recently completed the military EMIP review and is proven to enhance safety, survivability, reliability/maintainability/sustainability (RMS), distribution/mission enhancements (DME), and mobility for warfighters.

For more information about the N2 GEN Portable Series, please contact South-Tek Systems today: 888-526-6284.

Nitrogen Use with Oil Platforms and Refineries

Nitrogen Generators Used In Oil Industry

Nitrogen has long been used in the oil industry with oil platforms and refineries for a number of uses including:

• drilling
• workover
  
• completion of oil gas wells
  
• purging of lines, compressors, and seals
• tank blanketing

The purpose of using Nitrogen for inerting, blanketing, and purging with oil platforms and refineries is to suppress flammability by reducing oxygen levels to a point below which combustion is possible.

Nitrogen is a clean, dry, inert gas and has long proven effective at displacing oxygen in tanks, hoses, and piping in order to minimize the presence of oxygen, preventing the potential for combustion.

Nitrogen Use in Drilling for Oil


Nitrogen gas is used in the drilling phase of the oil and gas industry mainly for purging and inerting systems to keep instruments dry, effective, and efficient.  Nitrogen provides a dry air source that can prolong the life expectancy of a drilling system and keep instruments working properly.

Nitrogen Use in Workover and Completion of Oil Gas Wells


Nitrogen is a low density, high pressure gas that can absorb and displace fluids in wells to keep an optimal flow.  This process during completion is known as Nitrogen Circulation.  N2 gas can also be used to  purge systems to reduce hydrogen sulfide concentration in residual oil and gas.  In addition, Nitrogen is used for blanketing storage tanks to maintain pressure.

Benefits of a Nitrogen Generator

Considering all the uses of Nitrogen gas during the drilling, workover, completion, operation, and maintenance of oil rigs and fields, it is important to consider the benefits of using a Nitrogen Generator to provide a steady supply of high purity N2 gas on-site and on-demand.

A Nitrogen Generator is:

• Efficient - producing Nitrogen as needed
  
• Convenient - it will never run out of Nitrogen gas and needs only minimal annual maintenance
  
• Easy to Manage -a single compact system replaces dozens of stored high pressure cylinders
• Cost Effective - yielding a high return on investment

Membrane Nitrogen Generators are often used in the oil industry and South-Tek Systems designs and manufactures Membrane Generators, as well as PSA Nitrogen Generators, specifically for these applications.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn more about how your Oil and Gas Operation can benefit from a Nitrogen Generator: 888-526-6284

Medical Industry Benefits From Use Of Nitrogen Generators

Nitrogen (N2) gas is used in the medical and pharmaceutical industries in order to reduce the presence of oxygen in situations where combustion is a major concern. Blanketing or inerting an environment using Nitrogen gas can stabilize materials that might otherwise prove harmful or even explosive when put in contact with Oxygen.  Nitrogen is a cool, dry, inert, gas that can displace Oxygen in a situation where Oxygen may provide the catalyst for combustion or where it may affect the quality of a product.

The use of Nitrogen Generators for medical equipment in the lab or hospital is a popular practice because of the increased safety, convenience, reliability, and ease of storage they offer compared to using high pressure cylinders.

• Safety - Use of high pressure N2 gas cylinders in a medical, pharmaceutical, or lab application runs the risk of rapid leakage during the handling and switching of tanks which could lead to asphyxiation of those present during the leak.  Nitrogen Generators do NOT require switching out or handling with high pressure regulators.  They are easy to operate and are equipped with an automatic shutdown if any leakage is detected.
• Ease of Use - Nitrogen Generators are compact, easy to switch on, and require no manual handling of high pressure cylinders
• Reliability - Nitrogen Generators produce high purity N2 gas on-site and on-demand.  A simple PSA or Membrane technology creates Nitrogen gas from the existing air around you and requires only an annual filter change for maintenance.  Never switch out a high pressure N2 tank again!
• Requiring Less Storage - A Nitrogen Generator will replace high pressure tanks, eliminating the need to store extra cylinders and rely on deliveries from the gas company.
• Cost Effectiveness - An investment in a Nitrogen Generating System is well worth the cost and proves its worth in only a short time.  Go for a stronger Return On Investment (ROI) with a Nitrogen Generator and save on the need for recurring delivery, storage, administrative time, inventory, and downtime for changing out high pressure cylinders.

Contact South-Tek Systems today to learn how a Nitrogen Generator can benefit your particular medical or pharmaceutical application: 888-526-6284

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