Insufficient flow, unstable pressure, and poor nitrogen mobility at pipeline sites may lead to safety risks, low efficiency, and uncontrollable costs. BODA GAS TECH’s dual-tower fast PSA nitrogen generator with intelligent pressure compensation offers the ideal solution.
CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation) pipelines, especially those transporting natural gas, may use nitrogen generation systems to help maintain pipeline integrity, especially in dry and pre-action sprinkler systems where corrosion is a concern.
Nitrogen plays a critical role in pipeline pigging and maintenance. Understanding its value, technology options, and choosing the right system can significantly improve your operations. Whether you’re involved in purging, inerting, or inspection, this article outlines the benefits of onsite PSA nitrogen generation systems. Learn how BODA GAS TECH ensures reliability, safety, and performance in pipeline operations.
What Is Pipeline Pigging and Why Use Nitrogen?
Pipeline pigging is a maintenance process used to clean, inspect, and maintain pipelines. Traditionally, pigs—devices inserted into pipelines—are propelled using water, air, or gas. Among these, nitrogen gas is especially valued for pigging due to its inert properties. Nitrogen minimizes oxidation and moisture, preventing corrosion during the pigging operation. It also ensures safety by displacing combustible gases, thus reducing the risk of explosion. In natural gas, oil, and petrochemical pipelines, nitrogen pigging supports efficient operations and protects expensive infrastructure.
Using a Pipeline Inerting PSA Nitrogen Unit from BODA GAS TECH means operators gain more control over purity and pressure. With flow rates customizable from 1~3000 Nm³/h and purity up to 99.9995%, BODA’s solutions are optimized for diverse pipeline needs. With its robust mobile design, this unit guarantees safe and efficient pigging regardless of terrain or pipeline diameter.
Generally, the nitrogen purity required for pipeline purging does not need to be extremely high. A purity of 99% is sufficient.
Advantages of On-Site PSA Nitrogen Generator
On-site nitrogen generation offers autonomy, cost savings, and reliability. Compared to transporting nitrogen cylinders, BODA GAS TECH’s skid-mounted or containerized PSA systems eliminate logistics delays, reduce long-term operational costs, and ensure consistent nitrogen purity. Mobile PSA nitrogen stations equipped with intelligent control systems can respond instantly to varying flow or pressure demands, enhancing operational flexibility and safety.
Our Emergency Standby PSA Nitrogen Station is especially suitable for remote operations or critical infrastructure. It ensures uninterrupted supply during emergencies or scheduled maintenance. Systems are modular, featuring automatic venting, fault detection, and remote monitoring—ideal for pipeline inerting, purging, and pigging applications across CNPC Pipeline Nitrogen Generation Systems or CPP Dedicated Nitrogen Generation Units.
When Should Nitrogen Be Used for Pigging?
Nitrogen is preferred during pigging when pipelines carry flammable or hazardous materials, or in environments with high moisture and corrosion risks. In natural gas pipelines, nitrogen’s inert nature makes it perfect for initial purging, decommissioning, and cleaning. It is also used in multi-product pipelines to prevent cross-contamination.
In regions like Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, unstable power supply and logistical challenges make onsite nitrogen production essential. BODA GAS TECH’s containerized PSA systems are engineered to perform even in such demanding environments. With dew points as low as -70℃, and pressure ranges up to 1.15 MPa, these systems deliver reliable performance for high-stakes operations.
How Does BODA’s PSA Nitrogen Technology Work?
PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) separates nitrogen from compressed air using carbon molecular sieves. Under pressure, oxygen is adsorbed while nitrogen is collected for use. BODA GAS TECH optimizes this process through a dual-tower rapid-cycling design, increasing nitrogen recovery rates and extending the service life of molecular sieves.
The system features touch-screen control, remote diagnostics, intelligent pressure compensation, and customizable configurations (e.g., stainless steel, ATEX, IP65). BODA’s proprietary valve molding and spiral diffuser technology minimize airflow shock and molecular sieve degradation, ensuring consistent gas quality throughout the operation.
What Are the Benefits for Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Clients?
For major players such as CNPC, Sinopec, and international pipeline contractors, reliability and safety are top priorities. BODA GAS TECH’s nitrogen generation solutions are trusted in demanding conditions—offshore platforms, deserts, refineries, and chemical complexes. Key advantages include lower operating costs, improved safety, and full automation.
Our systems are certified under ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, and support MODBUS, Profibus, and Ethernet protocols. Customers benefit from full pre-sale support, installation assistance, training, and after-sale services. For long pipelines and critical sites, our Emergency Standby PSA Nitrogen Station ensures readiness even during outages or peak demands.
How to Choose the Right PSA Nitrogen Generator?
Selection depends on flow rate (Nm³/h), purity requirements, pressure, dew point, and mobility needs. For pigging and purging operations, systems with 99.9% purity and 0.6–1.15 MPa pressure are typically sufficient. However, for critical inerting or drying processes, higher purity or lower dew point units may be necessary.
BODA GAS TECH offers standalone, skid-mounted, and containerized solutions tailored to client needs. From the CPP Dedicated Nitrogen Generation Unit to a portable nitrogen package for offshore use, BODA’s engineers can customize systems for specific applications, climates, and regulatory requirements. We also provide user training and maintain a large inventory of spare parts to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Summary
Reliable nitrogen generation for pigging ensures safety, efficiency, and cost control across pipeline operations.
