Chemistry
Nitrogen solutions for the chemical industry
Within the chemical industry, safe working with (fire) hazardous materials is a central issue. Companies face risks of fire and explosions, as well as strict environmental requirements and laws and regulations. Presscon is a specialist in nitrogen solutions for chemical processes and helps make these risks manageable.
By applying inerting and nitrogen blankets, fire and explosion hazards are reduced and odor nuisance is reduced. Presscon delivers practical, reliable and proven solutions that fit daily practice within chemical production environments.
Increase fire safety in buffer tanks and
reduce odor nuisance with Nitrogen
Within the chemical industry, oxygen is a major risk factor, particularly in buffer tanks and storage systems. The presence of oxygen increases the likelihood of ignition and explosions in combustibles. In addition, oxygen can lead to oxidation, which degrades product quality and causes additional emissions and odors. These risks make controlling the atmosphere in tanks and facilities necessary.
Nitrogen provides an effective solution for this. As an inert gas, nitrogen does not react with chemicals and displaces oxygen from the tank. By creating a nitrogen blanket or an inertized environment, a stable and controllable atmosphere is created. This makes nitrogen particularly suitable for applications within chemical processes and storage of sensitive or flammable products.
The result is a significant reduction in the risk of fire, explosions and product degradation. At the same time, it reduces the formation and emission of unwanted vapors, which reduces odors and helps meet environmental and safety requirements. With nitrogen, safety is increased and processes remain more manageable.
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How do nitrogen solutions work in the chemical industry?
In the chemical industry, tank atmosphere management is critical to safety and product quality. To protect combustibles and vapors in buffer tanks from oxygen, Presscon uses nitrogen solutions that effectively displace oxygen and create a stable, controlled environment
1. Compressed air
A major building block of these systems is compressed air. Compressed air is air that has been brought to higher pressure with a compressor. By compressing and treating air (for example, by drying and filtering it), a reliable source of energy and resource for nitrogen production is created. In nitrogen solutions, compressed air is used as an input to the nitrogen generator because it provides the base from which nitrogen gas can be produced directly on site.
Nitrogen Generator
The heart of the nitrogen plant is the nitrogen generator. This generates nitrogen from compressed air using Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. In this process, oxygen is filtered out of the air, leaving almost pure nitrogen gas that can be used directly in the tank environment.
Nitrogen Blankets
The application of this nitrogen gas in buffer tanks is often referred to as nitrogen blanketing or blanketing. In this process, the vapor space area above a liquid in the tank is filled with nitrogen instead of ambient air. Replacing oxygen with nitrogen creates an inert environment in which oxygen is not present to react with stored substances. This protects the product from oxidation, reduces fire and explosion hazards and helps maintain the chemical and physical stability of the stored material.
2. Pressure control
A second critical component of the plant is pressure control. Systems such as the Presscon Vernit or Hornit expansion system continuously monitor the pressure in the tank and adjust the nitrogen supply to maintain a constant positive pressure. By keeping the pressure above the liquid slightly higher than the ambient, the nitrogen blanket remains intact, preventing underpressure or overpressure. This not only limits oxygen ingress, but also protects the tank from damage due to pressure differences.
The combination of compressed air-driven nitrogen production, inerting blankets and controlled pressure control creates a stable, low-oxygen environment in buffer tanks. This reduces the risk of fire or explosion, protects product quality and contributes to a safer and more controllable chemical process environment.
Why nitrogen is essential within the chemical industry
Applying nitrogen within chemical processes and storage offers multiple benefits in terms of safety, product quality and plant protection. Keeping oxygen and moisture out of the process environment creates a controlled atmosphere where risks are reduced and processes remain more manageable.
The main advantages of nitrogen within the chemical industry are:
Prevents oxidation of the product
Nitrogen displaces oxygen from tanks and facilities, preventing oxidation and unwanted chemical reactions. This helps maintain product quality during storage and processing.
Prevents corrosion of tank walls and pipes
By keeping air and moisture out of the plant, nitrogen reduces corrosion of
metal parts. This lowers the risk of damage, leaks and unplanned downtime.
Prevents contamination from outside
A slight overpressure with nitrogen prevents ambient air, dust and moisture from entering the tank or plant. This keeps the process clean and controlled.
Extends the life of installations
Less corrosion and more stable process conditions mean less maintenance and longer life of tanks, pipes and process equipment.
Applications of nitrogen in the chemical industry
Nitrogen is widely used in the chemical industry to control risks and keep processes safe and stable. By displacing oxygen and actively controlling the atmosphere in tanks and plants, nitrogen contributes to fire prevention, emission control and product and plant protection. Important applications include nitrogen blancheting, pressure control, odor control and inerting chemical processes.
Protection of buffer tanks with nitrogen deck.
In the chemical industry, the vapor phase in buffer tanks represents a significant safety hazard. Oxygen in this space can lead to fire and explosion hazards, oxidation of products and release of chemical vapors. Nitrogen blancheting is the filling of this vapor phase with nitrogen to control the composition of the tank atmosphere.
By removing oxygen from the vapor phase, the main risk factor for fire and explosion is eliminated. The nitrogen blanket creates a stable, inert environment in which ignition and oxidation are prevented. At the same time, emissions through lower and upper pressure valves are reduced, contributing to safer chemical storage.
Limiting odor nuisance
Chemical vapors released from buffer tanks can cause odors in and around the production area. Filling the tank atmosphere with nitrogen instead of air reduces the formation and release of oxygen-rich vapors.
When gas is released through lower or upper pressure valves, it consists mainly of nitrogen, greatly reducing odor dispersion. This contributes to a more pleasant working environment and helps meet environmental and emission requirements.
Pressure control in storage tanks
Constant and controlled pressure is essential for safe chemical storage. With changes in temperature, product input or output, the pressure in a tank can change rapidly. Nitrogen automatically regulates pressure to prevent overpressure and vacuum formation.
The combination of nitrogen blanketing and pressure control ensures that the tank atmosphere remains stable under varying conditions. This not only protects the tank structure, but also prevents uncontrolled vapor emissions and oxygen ingress.
Inertization of chemical processes
Inerting with nitrogen is used to make chemical processes, plants and pipelines oxygen-free. Replacing oxygen with nitrogen prevents unwanted reactions, product degradation and fire hazards.
This application is especially important with sensitive chemicals and processes where even low oxygen concentrations pose risks. Inerting ensures a controlled and safe process environment during production, storage, maintenance and cleaning.
Custom nitrogen solutions for chemical projects
Presscon provides nitrogen solutions fully tailored to the specific needs and set-up of your chemical plants. We design, manufacture and supply nitrogen generators that fit seamlessly into your process environments, from buffer tanks to piping systems and production plants.
For each project, we work closely with your project engineers to develop robust nitrogen plants. These plants are fully integrated according to the technical and safety requirements of your project, ensuring that they are safe, reliable and easily manageable.
With more than 20 years of experience in the chemical industry and several patents to our name, Presscon is an experienced partner in realizing customized solutions. We advise on the best nitrogen strategies, support design and implementation, and ensure that your chemical processes are optimally protected against fire, explosion and oxidation risks.
Sustainable nitrogen solutions for chemistry
Our nitrogen solutions are designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. They use less energy through smart production processes, have a long service life and are produced entirely in the Netherlands. This reduces transport and ensures reliable quality. At the same time, they contribute to a lower environmental impact by minimizing emissions and waste, making your chemical processes safer and more environmentally friendly.
Presscon: your partner in nitrogen for chemistry
At Presscon, we understand that every chemical process is unique. That’s why we provide custom installations that are completely tailored to your needs and the layout of your facility. Nitrogen purity can be set from 95% to
99.9999%, depending on the application and type of chemical process. This allows processes to be carried out safely and minimizes risks of oxidation, fire or product degradation.
Whether you operate a small pilot plant or a large production site, we provide the right nitrogen solution. With more than 25 years of experience, we are specialists in nitrogen generation and inerting. All systems are designed and manufactured in-house, allowing full quality control and customization.
Want to know how a Presscon nitrogen generator can make your chemical processes safer, more reliable and efficient? Contact one of our specialists.
Why choose Presscon?
- Customized solutions and advice
- Reduced maintenance costs through corrosion prevention
- Higher reliability and less downtime
- Highly energy-efficient installations
- Patent holder and more than 30 years of experience
Questions about nitrogen solutions in chemistry
Presscon specializes in the design, construction and maintenance of nitrogen expansion systems, fire prevention systems and innovative solutions using compressed air and nitrogen. Want to know more? Contact Presscon for more information.
Frequently asked questions about nitrogen in chemistry
How does a nitrogen blanket prevent fire and explosion hazards?
A nitrogen blanket prevents fire and explosion hazards by displacing oxygen in the tank. Oxygen is a necessary factor for combustion. Filling the space above the product in a buffer tank with nitrogen creates a low-oxygen atmosphere in which ignition is not possible. In addition, the composition of the tank atmosphere remains stable, even with product drop-off or temperature fluctuations. This greatly reduces the risk of explosive mixtures and uncontrolled reactions.
Can nitrogen be used in existing chemical plants?
Yes, nitrogen solutions can be integrated into existing chemical plants in most cases. Nitrogen blankets and pressure control systems are connected to existing buffer tanks, piping and valves without major process modifications. Depending on the situation, nitrogen can be supplied via a nitrogen generator or an external nitrogen source. This allows application in both new and existing plants
What is inerting in the chemical industry?
Inerting is the process of replacing oxygen in a plant, tank or pipe with an inert gas, such as nitrogen. Removing oxygen reduces the risk of combustion, explosions and unwanted chemical reactions. In the chemical industry, inerting is used during storage, production, tank filling and emptying. The goal is to create a safe and controlled process environment where risks remain manageable.
What solutions are there for safe storage of chemicals?
Various nitrogen solutions are used for safe storage of chemicals. Common solutions include nitrogen blankets for buffer tanks, pressure control systems to prevent overpressure and underpressure, and inerting tank atmospheres. These systems limit oxygen ingress, reduce emissions and protect product quality. In combination, they provide a stable storage environment that meets safety and environmental requirements within the chemical industry.
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