05-12-2024

Atlas Copco introduces the NPH nitrogen purifier

Atlas Copco has unveiled the Nitrogen Purifier through Hydrogen (NPH), its latest innovation in industrial gas solutions. The NPH delivers two-stage high-purity nitrogen generation with up to 40% feed air savings, significantly reducing energy usage and costs.

The NPH is designed to complement new and existing nitrogen generation systems. These systems consist of a compressor to supply the feed air and a nitrogen generator which removes oxygen from the air, leaving pure nitrogen. One of the key advantages of on-site nitrogen generation is that users can select the exact purity to meet the specific requirements of their application, typically up to 99.999% purity for PSA generators. However, producing higher levels of purity requires significantly more energy.

This is where the NPH nitrogen purifier revolutionises the process. By introducing two-stage nitrogen generation, the NPH boosts lower-purity nitrogen produced by a generator to a purity of 99.999% or more. The process involves the use of hydrogen, which reacts with the residual oxygen in the nitrogen, ensuring greater purity and energy efficiency.

40% feed air savings

One of the standout advantages of the NPH is its ability to significantly reduce energy consumption. To produce high-purity nitrogen directly, generators need substantial compressed air to remove the final traces of oxygen, which can consume high levels of energy. The NPH benefits this process by enabling the generator to produce lower-purity nitrogen, reducing feed air requirements by up to 40%. This allows for smaller compressor and generator setups, lowering operational costs and CO₂ emissions.

The NPH also offers a practical solution for facilities with electrical system limitations. When integrated into an existing system, it can effectively double nitrogen production capacity. Fully automated operation The NPH is equipped with Atlas Copco’s advanced Elektronikon Touch controller, which automates hydrogen dosing and monitoring, avoiding hydrogen overuse. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, making the system highly efficient and user-friendly.

Reliability and safety are further enhanced through innovative features such as feed nitrogen check and restore, which guarantees consistent and uninterrupted purifier operation, and outlet nitrogen check, which ensures that no off-spec gas reaches the application. The NPH also includes automatic start-up and standby modes, as well as overflow protection to optimise performance.

Ben John, Business Line Manager, Industrial Air, Atlas Copco Compressors UK, highlighted the NPH’s transformative impact on industries requiring high-purity nitrogen. He explained, "The NPH is a game-changer for industries that work with high-purity nitrogen. Many are interested in on-site generation but have not implemented it because of energy costs, space constraints or electrical system limitations. A system with the NPH provides all the benefits of producing its own nitrogen while delivering significant operational savings."

The NPH is available in a wide range of capacities, from 20 to 400 Nm³/h, making it suitable for industries with diverse nitrogen requirements. Designed for versatility, it is fully compatible with most nitrogen generators, ensuring seamless integration into existing systems.