PURGING

The process of nitrogen purging is the undesired atmosphere replacement by inert gas nitrogen. The replacement of air by purging is addressed as oxygen freeing or start up purging. Degassing or Shutdown purging is the replacement of a hydrocarbon atmosphere with nitrogen. Displacement and Dilution are the two most prominent methods of purging. The geometry of the process system will determine the method to be used. In the process of simple systems, displacement purging is more effective in time and cost but, in the process of more complex systems, dilution purging is used.