NITROGEN N-5030 FILLING
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Wilhelmsen Ships Service Guide to gases Nitrogen Text: Eddy Scheepers,Nitrogen Guide to gases: Technical Group Manager Wilhelmsen Ships Service supplies a broad range of gases in high pressure cylinders to the maritime industry. These gases are used in a wide variety of applications onboard vessels around the world. Of all these gases, nitrogen (N2) is the most common inert gas. Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere (78,9%) along with oxygen (20,9%), argon (0,9%) and other trace gases (0,1%). Production Nitrogen is produced mainly through the process of fractional distillation of liquefied air. Ambient air is compressed and cooled to down until it liquefies. The liquid is then fed into a distillation column and the three prime components are separated here; nitrogen, oxygen and argon. The installations are called ASUs (Air Separation Units). The result is a high purity nitrogen in high volumes. There are other methods of producing nitrogen (adsorption and diffusion separation) but the quality of the nitrogen produced is lower and the production rate is much slower. Liquid nitrogen “boiling” at room temperature (Courtesy AGA) Nitrogen is transported to the end-user either as compressed gas in cylinders (150-300 bar) or in liquid form in so called “Dewars”, which are heavily insulated stainless steel containers. Properties Nitrogen is used mainly for its inert properties. It can shield (blanket) potentially reactive materials or products and protect them from contact with oxygen (O2). Although under specific conditions it is possible to have nitrogen react with some products, in general it is considered an effective low-cost inert gas. Other inert gases such as argon and helium are more expensive. The facts: Boiling point : -195.8 ºC Specific gravity gas (Air=1) : 0.974 Specific gravity liquid (Water=1) : 0.

Nitrogen is transported to the end-user either as compressed gas in cylinders (150-300 bar) or in liquid form in so called “Dewars”, which are heavily insulated stainless steel containers. Properties Wilhelmsen used mainly for its inert properties. It can shield (blanket) potentially reactive Ships Service Nitrogen is materials or products and protect them from contact with oxygen (O2). Although under specific conditions it is possible to have nitrogen react with some products, in general it is considered an effective low-cost inert gas. Other inert gases such as argon and helium are more...

Asphyxiation is usually associated with nitrogen and other inert gases, such as argon, CO2 and helium, since they do not support life and are capable of reducing oxygen concentration to very low levels through displacement and dilution. Most asphyxiation accidents occur when crew enter rooms or tanks that are connected to a nitrogen supply that have not been properly checked for oxygen concentration before entry. Nitrogen is lighter than air and differences in oxygen contents between the top and bottom of the area can therefore occur. It is important always to measure both to be sure....