Pressure Booster selection considerations
Pressure Booster selection considerations
(OP)
Our lab scientists are looking to replace the N2 bottles they use for their HPLC equipment with a N2 generator. Our manufacturing air pressure is maintained at 100 psi which is closer to 90 psi by the time it makes it to the lab. They need, at most, about 2 CFM at 110 psi of N2.
I am debating between a small dedicated compressor and a pressure booster (Festo DPA-40 or similar); however, I am not familiar with pressure boosters.
Does anyone have experience with the reliability of pressure boosters? One of the local compressor salesmen told me they last no more than a year with regular use, but I would imagine his opinion is pretty biased.
Also, are there any design considerations with regard to a booster that would be different than an air compressor?
Thanks!
Ben
I am debating between a small dedicated compressor and a pressure booster (Festo DPA-40 or similar); however, I am not familiar with pressure boosters.
Does anyone have experience with the reliability of pressure boosters? One of the local compressor salesmen told me they last no more than a year with regular use, but I would imagine his opinion is pretty biased.
Also, are there any design considerations with regard to a booster that would be different than an air compressor?
Thanks!
Ben





RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
With nitrogen generators you also have to be really concerned about purity. The output purity of units this small range from 95-98% nitrogen with no less than about 1% argon (which seems to be a tough problem to separate from nitrogen).
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
The volume of air is very small for the majority of use (closer to 14 l/min)--so even though the pressure booster will be operating continuously, it should be very slow operation...unless I'm misunderstanding the concept of operation.
I'm getting some more info from the Festo distributor to find out how it will perform at low flow rates.
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
The problem is our entire process and compressed air system has been validated at the 100 psi pressure so I am unable to bump pressure up for this lab application.
Those Haskel units are really slick!
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
For example, the Haskel booster could kick in at 110psig and stops at 150psig to feed the buffer vessel. If you want, add a forward sensing pressure regulator on the N2 supply buffer vessel set at 100psig to feed the GCs'.
Check with Haskel if there is a risk of drive air getting into N2, or if there could be N2 leakage loss into the LP side of the drive mechanism.
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
I'm leaning toward the Haskel unit because of their robustness.
Thanks for everyone's suggestions! I'll post an update after the project is complete.
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
If not, a membrane type unit may work better on the HP side and you'd use less compressed air per unit volume of N2 generated ( ie reject-waste gas flow is less when feed air pressure is higher).
Another option may be to use an impregnated carbon bed type pressure swing adsorption unit for N2 generation.
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
Boost pressure to about 175 PSI with a 2:1 pressure booster
Store air in receiver and reduce to approximately 115 PSI
Pass air through membrane-type N2 generator (outlet approx 110 PSI)
Distribute in poly tubing to end users with point-of-use regulator
The pressure booster I chose was from Midwest Pressure Systems. Fantastic support, high quality product, and made in the USA. I calculated, that at the flow rate I am expecting, it should last at least 3 years before requiring a rebuild.
I'll post another update once equipment is installed and tested.
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations
RE: Pressure Booster selection considerations