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GENERATION NITROGEN GENERATOR SYSTEM MANUAL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The N2 Nitrogen Generator is designed for use on tap changers, breakers, main tanks or any other
electrical device requiring a gas-blanketed enclosure. The unit produces nitrogen by separating oxygen from
compressed air by means of hollow fiberglass separation membranes. The compressed air is supplied by an
on-board compressor and the generated nitrogen (N2) is fed to internal storage vessels. The output
concentration of the air separator (nitrogen purity) is factory pre-set. The final regulator system maintains
the gas-blanketed tank pressure between 0.5 and 5.0 psi at all times. If the tank pressure reaches a
minimum of 0.5 psi, nitrogen is sent from the storage vessels through the regulator assembly to the tank.
Should tank pressure rise above 5.5 psi, a relief valve will open to bleed off excess pressure to atmosphere.
IMPORTANT: Changing the output concentration may only be performed by trained and authorized
service technicians.
SYSTEM PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Refer to figure 1 below. The nitrogen generator system is contained within a climate-controlled cabinet that
closely regulates the temperature range within which the compressor system and nitrogen membrane are
required to operate. When the on-board nitrogen storage tank drains to a preset level (100 psi), a
compressor run cycle is initiated to refill the storage tank. Cool filtered air is drawn into the compressor and
compressed to a nominal output of 150 psi. The hot compressed air is then directed through a heat
exchanger that cools the compressed air below dew point for easier moisture removal. As the hot air travels
through the coalescing filter, the condensed moisture collects in the filter bowl for draining at the end of the
compressor cycle. The final filter removes all particulates in the compressed air stream before entering into
the membrane assembly. As the air travels through the membrane, the outgoing nitrogen is regulated to a
specific flow rate and pressure that defines nitrogen purity at the given membrane operating temperature.
The output nitrogen of the membrane is diverted to atmosphere for a preset time, ensuring all contaminate
gases are purged before diverting to the storage tank. The generator storage tank stores 3 gallons of
nitrogen at 100–120 psi to supply the final regulator system controlling the external gas space.
Patented 2nd Generation Nitrogen Generator Systems are manufactured and distributed by Waukesha
SPX Transformer Solutions, Inc. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,581,694; 6,568,287; 6,062,821; 5,902,381 and 5,744,764.
INLET AIR
FILTER
FILTER
WITH PURGE
COMPRESSOR
NITROGEN
(2 STAGE)
MEMBRANE
02
TIMER
HEAT
SOLENOID
EXCHANGER
COELESCING
FLOW
PRE FILTER
REGULATOR
WITH PURGE
N2
Figure 1 – Nitrogen Generator Module Functional Operation
FLOW
REGULATOR
ONE WAY
VALVE
02
STORAGE
TANK
FINAL
REGULATOR
SYSTEM
02
N2-Gen-Manual REV 3.8, 8/2014
®
Service & Components, a division of
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