Transcript Nitrox Fill Systems for Dive Stores and Charter Vessels

NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION
Presented by:
Cesare Benelli,Coltri Sub & Glenn Huebner, Nuvair
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WHAT IS “NITROX”?
 N2O2
 Also referred to as EAN, EaNX,
Enriched air, & Enriched air nitrox
 A gas mixture containing nitrogen &
oxygen with a higher % of oxygen
than normal breathing air
 OEA - Oxygen enriched air
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WHY DO RECREATIONAL DIVERS USE NITROX?
 Less N2 absorption in body
tissue.
 Lessens risk of
decompression sickness.
 Provides longer bottom
times.
 Increases safety margins.
 Popular with Dive masters
& instructors.
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WHEN CAN RECREATIONAL DIVERS USE NITROX?
 On all recreational dives.
 Leading training agencies have
introduced optional nitrox training
within entry level courses.
 Leading training agencies have
also introduced introductory
programs to initiate divers to
nitrox prior qualification
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WHAT % OF REC DIVERS ARE USING NITROX?
 Exact figures not known,
but tens of 1000’s of
divers train each year
with Nitrox
 Many dive resorts &
liveaboard/charter
vessels are already
providing nitrox
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TRAINING REQUIRED FOR THE USE OF NITROX
 Courses are available from all
major DSAT agencies
 Basic Nitrox training allows diving
with up to 40% mix
 Technical Nitrox training is
required for mixes over 40%
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WHY OFFER NITROX ?
To increases potential revenue
 Provides more & diverse diving
opportunities for clients.
 Provides additional training
opportunities & revenue
 Attracts more customers to your
centre / vessel
dive
 Extra equipment sales
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ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OFFER NITROX.
 Reduction of DCS exposure to divers
on multi-day dive trips
 Reduces operator, Dive master &
Instructor liability
 Provides a marketing edge over
competitors.
 Adoption of Nitrox by all major
training agencies
 Emergence of ‘tech’ diving within the
mainstream.
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
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WHO ELSE USES NITROX?
 Recreational dive
professionals
 Public safety divers
 Scientific divers
 Commercial divers
 NASA astronauts
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HOW IS NITROX DELIVERED TO THE DIVER?
 Specially marked cylinders
 Diver must have proof of nitrox
certification
 Diver must analyze gas
 Diver must sign gas log
 For ‘Nitrox Experience’ programs
Certified DM/Instructors to comply
with above procedures.
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NITROX PRODUCTION OPTIONS:
•
PARTIAL PRESSURE
BLENDING
•
CONTINUOUS FLOW
BLENDING
•
MEMBRANE SYSTEM
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PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
1. Decant 100% pure O2 to dive
cylinder **
2. Top off with O2 J grade
compatible air **
** Amounts vary according to
required mix and cylinder
contents & must be calculated.
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ADVANTAGES OF PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
 Lowest start up costs of
blending methods.
 Popular with technical divers
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DISADVANTAGES OF PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
 Requires transport and handling of
100% pure high pressure O2
 Requires error free mathematical
calculations
 Requires special filtration &
expensive consumables to
reach J grade quality air.
 Requires trained/certified gas
blending technician.
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
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ADDITIONAL DISADVANTAGES OF P/P BLENDING
 Mix may not be exact +/ P/P blending should be very slow
 100% O2 availability
 Purchase & transport costs of
100% O2
 High levels of liability for
operators
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CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
1. Gas is pre-mixed using
O2 & breathing air with a
blending panel
2. Normal high pressure
compressor is used to fill
cylinder
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ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
 Relatively inexpensive
 More practical & faster than
partial pressure blending
 If using an automated blending
panel its is an easy to use &
precise method. The panel
achieves reduction of
associated O2 handing risks
with the use of auto O2 cut - off
valves
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
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DISADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
 100% O2 availability
 Purchase & transport costs
of 100% O2
 High levels of liability for
operators
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MEMBRANE SYSTEM NITROX PRODUCTION
 Normal Air filtered to Grade E standard &
pumped into membrane @ low pressure
 O2 permeates thru membrane more than
N2 . N2 rich mix vented, O2 rich mix
pumped into high pressure compressor **
 Normal high pressure compressor
used to fill cylinder.
** N2O2 mix controlled via
air flow rate into membrane.
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POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
LP compressor - LP filtration - Membrane - HP
compressor - cylinder
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POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
Air bank - LP pressure reducer - LP filtration Membrane - HP compressor - Cylinder
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ADVANTAGES OF A MEMBRANE SYSTEM
 Simple operation
 No need to store or mix highpressure O2
 Virtually eliminates hazards
associated with handling 100%
O2
 Highly accurate method of
blending
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
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ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES OF MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
 FAST: Fill nitrox tanks at
same speed you fill with air
 LOW:
Maintenance &
operating costs.
 SIMPLE: Training & use.
Note: Membrane systems have the lowest levels of
Operator risk exposure when filling Nitrox cylinders.
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RELIABILITY OF THE COLTRI /NUVAIR MEMBRANE
 Systems reliable as a normal
air compressor systems
 20-30 year life span
 Compressor are covered by
1 year warranty
 Membrane systems are
covered by 5 year warranty.
Note: It is Important stated maintenance procedures
are followed
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DISADVANTAGES OF A MEMBRANE SYSTEM?
 Higher initial capital investment
 May require additional electrical
power
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IS A NEW HP COMPRESSOR NEEDED FOR NITROX?
 Can usually use your
existing compressor .
 A well maintained ‘used’
compressor may need a
mild overhaul and internal
cleanup if previously used
with mineral oil.**
** Any HP Compressor used to compress Nitrox must be
lubricated by a synthetic oil rated for use with nitrox
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IS USING NITROX WITH A HP COMPRESSOR SAFE?
 There are attendant risks
with compressing any gas
 Compressing N2O2
containing 40% or less O2
poses no more risk than
pumping normal breathing
air at higher pressures
AEROTECNICA COLTRI
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WHEN USING MEMBRANE OR CONTINUOUS BLENDING…
Considerations:
 Slightly more conservative than
compressing air
 Compressor oil
 Compressor operating temp.
 Filtration
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WHAT IF I NEED TO PRODUCE 40%+ NITROX MIX?
 Recreational Divers will not use
more than 40% Nitrox
 The most popular mix currently
used within dive centers/vessels
is 32%
 If a deco mix exceeding 40% is
required by tech divers a P/P
system can be used.
Note: Recommended depth limit for recreational divers is
30m, best suited to a 32% Nitrox mix
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TRAINING STAFF TO FILL NITROX TANKS
 Most people can learn to
operate a membrane nitrox
system in less than one
hour.
We will be conducting a
live demonstration at the
end of this session
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END OF PART ONE
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