Nitrogen is a safe, economic alternative for your product
displacement, drying to dew point, pressure testing and
inerting requirements. Pipeline maintenance, product
changeout or inventory displacement can be conducted
safely and economically with Air Products’ APEX Industrial
Gas Services group through the use of high-pressure,
high-flow mobile pumping units.
Product Displacement
Pressurised nitrogen for small and large line displacements
has become popular due to its relatively low cost, improved
safety and more positive environmental impact over other
displacement options. Air Products’ systems are specifically
designed to perform while maintaining tight schedules and
minimising gas consumption and cost.
System Integrity Testing
Nitrogen is a convenient, economic alternative to water
or other pressure testing source. The use of pneumatic
testing eliminates the need for subsequent drying prior to
start up, typical for hydrostatic testing.
Pressures can be provided up to 10,000 psig
(690 barg). Our pumping units are equipped with overpressurisation
shut down devices and thermal relief safety
valves to ensure continuous safe operation.
Drying and Inerting
Many pipelines must be dried or inerted on initial
construction, during routine maintenance and on product
changeover to ensure product integrity and minimise
corrosion. High flow rate hot nitrogen supplied by APEX
Industrial Gas Services can reduce drying time and final
dew point levels by as much as 50-70% over other media.
Air Products maintains moisture levels in our nitrogen
at a maximum of 2ppm water, with typical levels less
than 1ppm.
Pigging
Using pressured nitrogen we can drive pigs along pipelines for cleaning, gauging or inspection. This helps to maintain product purity and makes operations like methanol swabbing safer.
Mothballing
A special one-step purging or drying service is available to prevent internal corrosion. The process involves hot nitrogen, which clears and dries a vessel to specified oxygen and moisture limits. The system is then sealed, ensuring safe
storage for long periods.
Why APEX Industrial Gas Services?
The APEX team has a unique position in the industry. With over 35 years’ experience in nitrogen-related services, not only can it offer a wide range of nitrogen pressure and temperature supply options, but as part of Air Products it
has a secure and varied supply capability from its industrial gas plants located around Europe.
24 Hour Call-out Service
APEX Industrial Gas Services offers an emergency nitrogen service. Its staff are available on call 24 hours a day and their knowledge and experience in dealing in various chemical and process industry applications enables them to mobilise the right equipment, labour and product supplies at very short notice. |
