Hamworthy Moss AS has won a major contract to supply 10 nitrogen generator systems for a series of 47,500 dwt chemical carriers being built for IRISL by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Korea. The nitrogen generators will deliver 3,750 Nm3/h nitrogen at a purity of 95 per cent and are the biggest systems ever delivered by Hamworthy Moss. Nitrogen generator systems have been mainly used for inerting small volumes, such as flushing pipes. This is now set to change as the scope of supply is being extended to include nitrogen generators as ships’ main IG plants, according to the company.

Moss nitrogen generators use state-of-the-art membrane technology. Membranes separate gases by the principle of selective permeation across the membrane wall. Ambient air is compressed, rigorously filtered, and temperature controlled before entering one or more membrane modules, each containing thousands of hollow fibres. Within these fibres, the separation of air takes place producing nitrogen gas under pressure. The nitrogen gas is dry and depleted of carbon dioxides.

The required number of membranes are assembled in cabinets or racks. A modular design offers valuable savings in space and installation costs both for newbuildings and for retrofitting on existing vessels. High efficiency, low maintenance costs, safe and easy operation combined with minimum space requirements are important features of the Hamworthy Moss design, according to the company.