Inert Gas Compression Solutions

Inertisation, also known as inerting, reduces the concentration of oxygen or another reactive component within process equipment by introducing a suitable inert gas. It is used to reduce the risk of combustion, explosion, oxidation or unwanted chemical reactions.

Nitrogen (N₂) is commonly used because it is widely available and sufficiently non-reactive for many industrial processes. The appropriate inert gas, target oxygen concentration and inertisation procedure must nevertheless be determined according to the substances involved, process conditions and applicable safety requirements.

Gas compression may be required to supply the necessary inert-gas flow and pressure, fill an intermediate storage system or distribute the gas to the relevant process equipment. Typical applications include reactors, vessels, storage tanks, pipelines and other systems in refineries, petrochemical facilities and chemical plants.

The compressor is one component of the complete inertisation system. Gas generation or storage, oxygen measurement, process controls, pressure protection and the approved safety procedure must be coordinated at plant level.

With more than 80 years of experience in reciprocating high pressure compressor technology, LMF develops tailor-made compressor solutions for inertisation applications. Every solution is individually engineered according to the inert gas, available supply conditions, required pressure and capacity, duty profile and applicable project specifications.

Recommended Compression Solutions by LMF

ISO 13631 Compressors

Recommended for continuous or high-capacity inert-gas supply applications requiring stable flow rates and project-specific package engineering.

  • Capacity:
    up to 15 100 Nm³/h
  • Pressure:
    up to 301 bar
  • Power consumption:
    6 MW

API 618 Compressors

Recommended for demanding heavy-duty inert-gas applications requiring high availability, continuous operation and project-specific engineering according to API 618.

  • Capacity:
    up to 27 000 Nm³/h
  • Pressure:
    up to 200 bar
  • Power consumption:
    6 MW

Selected References 

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FAQs

Inertisation is the introduction of a suitable inert gas to reduce the concentration of oxygen or another reactive component within process equipment. The target concentration is defined by the substances, operating conditions and approved safety concept.

Inertisation establishes and maintains a non-reactive atmosphere. Purging removes or dilutes an existing gas or vapor by introducing another gas. A purging operation may form part of an inertisation procedure, but the terms do not describe exactly the same objective.

Compression may be required to bring the inert gas to the pressure needed for storage, distribution or injection into the process equipment. The required capacity also depends on whether the system operates continuously, intermittently or during a defined purging sequence.

No. A compressor increases the pressure of nitrogen supplied by a suitable source, such as a nitrogen generation system, storage tank or gas network. Nitrogen generation is a separate process unless explicitly included in the agreed package scope.

The permissible oxygen concentration and operating procedure are determined through process-safety engineering using the substances involved, temperature, pressure and applicable regulations. The compressor is configured to meet the resulting gas-flow and pressure requirements.