Mode of supply and mixing systems

A variety of pure Food Grade gases and gas mixtures are available for the many different MAP applications. The size and nature of the MAP operation tends to dictate the type of supply system preferred:

Single Cylinders

Single cylinders offer the small and medium volume user a low cost, versatile mode of supply. They are available either as pre-mixed gas cylinders, or as single gases for individual use or mix onsite. For customers who use substantial quantities of single cylinders, and who have a fork lift truck, the option of a pack of cylinders offers significant savings in cylinder handling.

CryoEase® service – Micro Bulk

A cost-effective, reliable mode of gas supply that is an alternative to cylinders. Using small tank trucks and on-site storage containers, MicroBulk provides the advantages of bulk supply to customers whose usage is less than traditional bulk delivery volumes, and is available in a variety of sizes.

Bulk

For the majority of customers who have a consistently high gas consumption, the supply and storage of gas in bulk liquid is the most economical and convenient mode of supply. Liquid gas will be regularly delivered to customers into a static tank stored on their site. Telemetry systems can be installed which alert the gas company when the tanks require refilling.

Onsite-Gas generation

Gas generation systems are benefiting many customers within the MAP industry by providing them with both economic and environmental benefits.

Air Products PRISM® equipment can suit many different profiles of requirement including; N2 or O2 usage up to 300 tonnes per day Gaseous flow rate which are either continuous or sporadic Purity requirements ranging from low to ultra-high (e.g. 5% to 5ppm O2 in N2) A multitude of pressures

Air Products on-site gas generation uses many patented Prism® technologies in order to meet these varying requirements. Such technologies include Nitrogen membranes, pressure swing adsorption units, oxygen vacuum swing adsorption units and cryogenic system which can produce either nitrogen or oxygen or both.

The Prism system is typically sited within your production facility with a dedicated pipe supplying directly to the points of use. Locally based engineers are available to deal with any technical matters and ensure smooth running of the equipment.

Mixing systems

The appropriate mode of supply of Air Products’ Freshline® gases for food applications is tailored to suit each customer and situation, gas mixers are available in a range of options to match. The design and choice of which is driven by the customer and the economics involved with the supply.

For food companies packing a similar range of products it may be beneficial to use preset mixers. These units are available in a range of flows. Benefits of this type of installation include:

• Economic supply of food grade mixed gases
• Simple external installation of equipment
• Simple internal pipe-work system
• The mix is tamper-proof to protect the process and quality control
• The equipment requires minimal maintenance

For food companies packing a varied range of products and maybe a complicated arrangement of packing machines with frequent product changes, it may be beneficial to use an adjustable gas mixer. These are available in flow rates to suit the common MAP gas requirements in either 2 gas or 3 gas combinations.

The relative benefits of this type of installation are:

• Flexible supply of food grade mixed gas
• More portable arrangement of equipment
• The mixtures can be adjustable to meet the demands of production

Some gas mixers incorporate alarms for gas supply failure and an electrical supply would be required. In some cases gas mixers will require a receiver, the size dependant upon the type and flow rate of the packaging machine. Further details of the types and sizes available for use in the food industry can be obtained by contacting the companies listed in the acknowledgments.