In the phenolic resin industry, nitrogen is primarily used as a protective gas because oxygen has an inhibitory effect. At low temperatures (below 100°C), oxygen acts as an inhibitor; at high temperatures (above 100°C), it acts as an initiator (oxygen bonds break to form new free radicals). Therefore, whether to introduce nitrogen gas depends on your system temperature, but it is recommended to use nitrogen protection because even if oxygen has an initiating effect, the presence of oxygen bonds in the generated polymer can easily break at slightly higher temperatures, affecting the stability of the polymer.

Principle of Nitrogen Generators in the Phenolic Resin Industry

In the chemical industry, nitrogen generators operate on the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) principle. The entire PSA nitrogen generation system mainly consists of an air compressor, filters, dryer, switching valves, adsorbers, air storage tanks, and nitrogen storage tanks. Raw air is pressurized by the air compressor, then passes through a primary filter into a refrigerated dryer for drying treatment. After that, it enters the air storage tank via a high-efficiency oil removal filter. The dry, oil-free clean compressed air first passes through an activated carbon adsorber and then enters two alternately working adsorbers. The adsorbers are filled with high-quality, efficient carbon molecular sieves. Due to the difference in molecular size between oxygen and nitrogen, the molecular sieve preferentially adsorbs oxygen under increased pressure. After a period, the molecular sieve reaches adsorption equilibrium for oxygen. Based on the characteristic that carbon molecular sieves adsorb gases differently under varying pressures, the pressure is reduced to desorb oxygen from the molecular sieve, while the other adsorber begins pressurization and starts working. Continuous nitrogen flow is obtained through the alternating operation of the two adsorbers. The produced nitrogen passes through the nitrogen tank and flow meter, and after sampling inspection confirms it meets standards, it is delivered to the downstream usage points. For higher requirements, a purification device can be added afterward to obtain nitrogen of higher purity.

Equipment Features of Nitrogen Generators in the Chemical Industry

(1) Convenient and fast nitrogen production:

Advanced technology and a unique airflow distributor ensure even gas distribution, efficiently utilizing carbon molecular sieves. Qualified nitrogen can be provided in about 20 minutes.

(2) Easy to use:

The equipment has a compact structure, is skid-mounted, occupies a small area, requires no infrastructure investment, and has low investment costs. On-site, only a power connection is needed to produce nitrogen.

(3) More economical than other nitrogen supply methods:

The PSA process is a simple nitrogen production method that uses air as the raw material, with energy consumption limited to the electricity consumed by the air compressor. It offers low operating costs, low energy consumption, and high efficiency.

(4) Automated operation through integrated electromechanical design:

Imported PLC controls enable fully automatic operation. Nitrogen flow, pressure, and purity are adjustable and continuously displayed, allowing for unattended operation.

(5) Wide range of applications:

Protective gas for metal heat treatment processes, gas for chemical industrial production, nitrogen purging for various storage tanks and pipelines, gas for rubber and plastic products production, oxygen displacement and preservation packaging in the food industry, purification and cover gas in the beverage industry, nitrogen packaging and container oxygen displacement in the pharmaceutical industry, and protective gas for electronic components and semiconductor production processes in the electronics industry. Purity, flow, and pressure are stable and adjustable to meet the needs of different customers.