In the oil and gas industry reliability of processes, systems and distribution goes hand in hand with safety. Safety inspectors are aware of the importance of using 100% oil-free compressed air. It makes control systems and processes run safe, smooth and sound. Because they know quality and reliability do matter.
Separated using membrane technology, compressed air provides the nitrogen blankets critical in LNG tankers, transfer stations or the catalysts and reactors in a downstream segment application. Oil-free compressed air assures longer membrane service life, which avoids frequent and costly membrane replacements and potential shutdowns.
High flow gas and process compressors require buffer air between seals to ensure proper performance. Even a slight presence of oil fumes can spell disaster and lead to main compressor shutdown.
First-generation drives and controls rely on compressed air for proper operation. Oil in the compressed air will block critical operating components and increase operational risk.
Compressed air is used to operate and actuate specific instruments and control valves. Even a small amount of oil in compressed air will cause the malfunctioning of this responsive equipment. Maintenance means downtime and increased costs. Oil injected compressors need regular oil filling and frequent filter changes to prevent air contamination and serious shutdown conditions.
Compressed air is used in sulphur removal, catalyst regeneration, process heaters, sour-water oxidation and gasoline sweetening, to list a few. A trace of oil in these processes creates a risk of contamination, malfunction and problems.
Instrument and safety valve test benches and liquid/gas analyzers often use compressed air instead of nitrogen for calibration. The presence of oil in compressed air will clog precise equipment, falsifying initialization settings.