1 reply to this topic

[JBradley]

Probably a bit of a basic question this but you dont learn if you don't ask....

I'm working on a plant installation with some kit that requires a nitrogen connection. The question has been raised as to whether we should run it from the nitrogen tanks or create a ring main.

Could anyone give me some pros and cons to using a ring main or maybe a reference to any articles??

Thanks

[Adriaan]

A ring line is usefull if continuous flow is needed (to prevent sedimentation or crystallization, for example*), why on earth would you want a ring line for a nitrogen delivery system (even if its liquid nitrogen!)?

The drawback of a ringline is that it costs extra money to install (piping, pumps, controlvalves) and to run (the pumps, again). It also means there is more equipment and therefore more maintenance cost and potentially more stuff that can fail.

The obvious advantage of a ringline is that there are almost no dead zones (if it is well designed), so a direct feed might require some measures to prevent dead zones causing problems (regular venting being the obvious solution).




* which is why where I work the lignosulfonate system is a ring line, that stuff starts to ferment in dead pipes!