N2 Requirement Calculation
N2 Requirement Calculation
N2 Requirement Calculation
In dilution purging method, the inert gas simply flows through the vessel and reduces the concentration of
unwanted component. It is used for tanks, reactors, and other vessels. Figure below is used to determine
requirement of inert gas.
The quantity of inert gas required for each cycle is P-1 vessel volumes.
Let say, you want to purge a vessel from 21%-mole oxygen to 1%-mole oxygen. You use inert gas to pressure
to 5 atm.
Vacuum-Cycle Purging
Based on its name, this method can only be used for vessels capable to withstand a vacuum. In this method,
the vessel is alternately evacuated and fed with inert gas to 1 atm.
C = concentration (%)
P = pressure (atm)
n = number of cycles
The quantity of inert gas required for each cycle is 1-P vessel volumes.
Let say, you want to purge from 21%-mole oxygen to 1%-mole oxygen. You use vacuum-cycle purging to 0.5
atm.
C = 21%
CPn = 1%, (21%)(0.5)n = 1%. We get n = 4.4, so use 5 cycles
Purged gas required = 5 x (1-0.5) = 2.5 vessel volumes
Why nitrogen is commonly used in tank blanketing?
Nitrogen has inert properties, wide availability, and relatively low cost at any economic efficiency. Other gases,
such as carbon dioxide or argon, are also sometimes used for certain application.
Nitrogen reduces oxygen content in the vapor space of a storage tank of vessel, making it inert and eliminates
the possibility of fire or explosion. It also decreases evaporation and protects the tank from structural
corrosion damage caused by air and moisture. In addition, nitrogen blanketing is used to prevent air,
moisture or other contaminants from entering the vapor space, causing product degradation or spoilage.
Element of Fire
Remember figure above? It is called fire triangle. It consists of oxygen, heat, and fuel. Removing one of these
components will eliminate the possibility of fire. In tank blanketing, oxygen is the component that is
controlled.
Tank diameter
Height of average vapor space (average outage)
Storage temperature
Daily temperature change
V0 = π x D 2 x H o / 4
V0 = vapor volume (ft3)
Δ = adjustment for differential between blanketing and pressure-relief setting (normally 2-4 oF)
Peak nitrogen consumption for tank capacity up to 840,000 gallon (20,000 barrel or 3180 m 3) can be estimated
by the following equation:
Maximum nitrogen flow rate (scfh) = 8.021 x pump out rate (in gpm) +
0.02382 x total tank capacity (in gallon)
8.021 is unit conversion factor from gpm to scfh.
0.02382 is a factor based on cooling an empty tank from a high of 120 oF at a rate of change 100oR/h.
For tank larger than 840,000 gallons (20,000 barrel or 3180 m3), the peak usage can be estimated by the
equation.
Maximum nitrogen flow rate (scfh) = 8.021 x pump out rate (in gpm) +
nitrogen inbreathing requirement as per API 2000
For tanks larger than 840,000 gallons, peak nitrogen requirements due to thermal breathing are shown as per
API standard no. 2000 for non-refrigerated, above ground, un-insulated tanks. Table below shows the
requirement.
Tank Capacity (in Barrels) Tank Capacity (in Gallons) N2 inbreathing Requirement (scfh)
20,000 840,000 20,000
25,000 1,050,000 24,000
30,000 1,260,000 28,000
35,000 1,470,000 31,000
40,000 1,680,000 34,000
45,000 1,890,000 37,000
50,000 2,100,000 40,000
60,000 2,520,000 44,000
70,000 2,940,000 48,000
80,000 3,360,000 52,000
90,000 3,780,000 56,000
100,000 4,200,000 60,000
120,000 5,040,000 68,000
140,000 5,880,000 75,000
160,000 6,720,000 82,000
180,000 7,560,000 90,000
Diameter = 128 ft
Height = 36 ft
Average empty headspace = 12 ft
Adjustment for differential between blanketing and pressure-relief setting (Δ) = 2 oF (assumed)
Daily breathing loss = (155,000) x {[(460 + 75 + 15/2) / (460 + 75 + 2 – 15/2)] – 1.0} scf/d
If the vessel could stand some pressure, the pressure purging technique would probably ensure complete mixing.
Where 1.0 is the starting pressure (ie, atmospheric), P is the absolute pressure to which the vessel is brought on each cycle. If,
for example, P can be 2 ata., the number of cycles would be:
The higher the pressure that the vessel can sustain the less the number of pressure cycles.
• Depending on the size of the vessel and whether its design includes full vacuum, vacuum purging could be your solution.