SEPURAN® N2
Membrane technology for
efficient nitrogen generation

Gas separation with SEPURAN®
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world
leaders in specialty chemicals. As a technological leader in the fieldof high-performance polymers we offer hollow-fiber membranes for
efficient and energy-saving gas separation.
Advantages:• Very high selectivity• Low energy consumption• Separation at room temperature• Low space requirements• Continuous separation process• Simple modular setup• Flexible and easily expanded• No other auxiliary materials, suchas water and sorbents, required• No emissions into the environment

2Fields of application:• Nitrogen generation• Hydrogen upgrading• Helium recovery• Extraction of MethaneFunctioning of a membrane module for nitrogen generation

Permeation rate of air components

oxygen-enriched air
compressed
air

H2 O

nitrogen

CO2O2Ar

fastN2slow

hollow-fiber membrane

How does membrane separation work?
Membranes for gas separation are produced in the form of hollow fibers by aphase-inversion process. Gas separation
membranes work on the principle ofselective permeation through a membranesurface. The driving force for gas permeation through the membrane is thedifference between the partial pressuresof the gas on the retentate side (theinternal side of the hollow fiber) andthe permeate (external) side. The greater
this difference, the greater the permeation of gas through the membrane.

In the separation of oxygen and nitrogen,for example, permeation of oxygen throughthe membrane is strongly favored while
nitrogen is retained.
The permeation rate of each gas depends
on its solubility in the membrane material
as well as on its diffusion rate.
Gases with higher solubility and lower
molecular size penetrate the membrane
faster than large, less soluble gases.
The ratio of the transport speeds of twogases is termed selectivity.

The higher the selectivity, the higher
the energy efficiency of the resulting
membrane process.
Different membrane materials show
different separation characteristics.
Evonik’s membrane polymer, especially
tailored for nitrogen generation, ischaracterized by both high permeability
and high selectivity.

3

The SEPURAN® N2 membrane module
The SEPURAN® product family includes a number of different membrane systems
for gas separation in a variety of applications. SEPURAN® N2 has been speciallydeveloped for nitrogen generation.
SEPURAN® membrane modules consistof several thousand hollow fibers produced
from high-performance polymers.
The fibers are bundled together in a stainless steel tube and their ends embedded
in a resin.
As many membrane modules as required
may be linked together, depending on theparticular application and the size of thesystem. This simple and modular setup,with minimal space requirements in the airseparation facility, offers a unique advantage comparing to other technologies.

4Our SEPURAN® N2 module can be used
in a very wide range of applications. Incomparison with other membranes available, SEPURAN® N2 combines excellent
capacity with low air consumption.
Alternatively, at low flow rates ourSEPURAN® N2 Selective module canachieve high purity with the lowest airconsumption. The energy requirement
is particularly low while the capacity
remains competitive.
For more specific information, please ask
for our Flyer ”SEPURAN® N2 Selective“.

High capacity combinedwith low air consumption
Evonik’s SEPURAN® N2 Module has a high selectivity and a high permeability which
combines a low air consumption with high nitrogen capacity. This leads, amongst
other advantages, to low energy costs, a small compressor and few modules.
Efficient and cost effective• More nitrogen production at the sameair consumption• Enormous cost savings compared withconventional gas cylinders• Low installation and operating costs• Low maintenanceTechnology at the highest level• High capacity combined with low airconsumption• N2 purity up to 99.5%• Pressure up to 16 barg (232 psig)• Stainless steel housing

Simple and safe
• Flexibility in setting the required purity• Simple to install and operate• Safety risks involved in handling cylinders are avoided• Low space requirements• Flexible modular setup• The system can be started and stopped atshort intervals, ensuring high flexibility

5

Application areas
Cost effective air separation and nitrogen generation using
SEPURAN® N2 is particularly useful for blanketing and inerting.
Reduction of atmospheric oxygen results in a large numberof applications.

Fire protection
Fire extinguishing systems
Explosion protection

Shipping

Food storage and transport

Beverage bottling

Gas separator

Aviation

N2 Separation

Air6CompressorCoolerTechnical data
The composition of the product was determined bymeasurement of the residual oxygen content.
The “N2 produced” value is the inert gas content. The“inlet air” value divided by N2 produced gives the airfactor or air/N2 ratio.

The lower the air factor, the lower the investment andoperating costs.
Our technical service experts would be happy to help
you optimize your system design.

Specifications of SEPURAN® N₂
in Nm3/h at 7 barg; 25°C (Norm = 0°C; 1 atm)in scfh at 100 psig; 80°F (Standard = 60°F; 1 atm)

Purity

99%

98%

97%

96%

95%

99%

98%

97%

96%

95%

N 2 produced

7.8

11.2

14.2

17.3

20.6

295

418

532

648

771

Air / N 2 ratio

3.7

2.9

2.5

2.3

2.1

3.7

2.9

2.5

2.3

2.1

Dimensions*

Total length including end caps

1345 mm

52.9“External diameter of module tube

104 mm

4.1“External diameter of module end caps

114.3 mm

4.5“

12 kg

26.5 Ibs

WeightAir and nitrogen connections: ½“O2 off-gas connection: 1½“Connectors***

Definitive housing data are available in the assembly drawings.
Available in BSPP and NPT (NPT dimensions differ slightly)**

N2 Separator

Drain
Separator

Demister

Carbon Bed

Dust Filter

HeaterO2 Enriched Gas

OxygenMeter

Product
Nitrogen7® registered trademark
This information and any recommendations, technicalor otherwise, are presented in good faith and believed to be correct as of the date prepared. Recipientsof this information and recommendations must maketheir own determination as to its suitability for theirpurposes. In no event shall Evonik assume liability fordamages or losses of any kind or nature that result
from the use of or reliance upon this information andrecommendations. EVONIK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMSANY REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OFANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ASTO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY AND/ORFITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE (EVENIF EVONIK IS AWARE OF SUCH PURPOSE) WITHRESPECT TO ANY INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED. Reference to any trade
names used by other companies is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of the corresponding
product, and does not imply that similar products could
not be used. Evonik reserves the right to make anychanges to the information and/or recommendationsat any time, without prior or subsequent notice.

Evonik Fibres GmbHGewerbepark 44861 Schörfling
Austria

03/Ma/500/en

phone +43 7672 701-2891
fax+43 7672 96862
www.sepuran.com
sepuran@evonik.com