Title: NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION
1NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION
- Presented by
- Cesare Benelli,Coltri Sub Glenn Huebner, Nuvair
2WHAT IS NITROX?
- N2O2
- Also referred to as EAN, EaNX, Enriched air,
Enriched air nitrox - A gas mixture containing nitrogen oxygen with a
higher of oxygen than normal breathing air - OEA - Oxygen enriched air
3WHY DO RECREATIONAL DIVERS USE NITROX?
- Less N2 absorption in body tissue.
- Lessens risk of decompression sickness.
- Provides longer bottom times.
- Increases safety margins.
- Popular with Dive masters instructors.
4WHEN CAN RECREATIONAL DIVERS USE NITROX?
- On all recreational dives.
- Leading training agencies have introduced
optional nitrox training within entry level
courses. - Leading training agencies have also introduced
introductory programs to initiate divers to
nitrox prior qualification
5WHAT OF REC DIVERS ARE USING NITROX?
- Exact figures not known, but tens of 1000s of
divers train each year with Nitrox - Many dive resorts liveaboard/charter vessels
are already providing nitrox
6TRAINING REQUIRED FOR THE USE OF NITROX
- Courses are available from all
- major DSAT agencies
- Basic Nitrox training allows diving
- with up to 40 mix
- Technical Nitrox training is required for mixes
over 40 -
7WHY OFFER NITROX ?
- To increases potential revenue
- Provides more diverse diving opportunities for
clients. - Provides additional training opportunities
revenue - Attracts more customers to your dive
centre / vessel - Extra equipment sales
8ADDITIONAL REASONS TO OFFER NITROX.
- Reduction of DCS exposure to divers on multi-day
dive trips - Reduces operator, Dive master Instructor
liability - Provides a marketing edge over competitors.
- Adoption of Nitrox by all major training agencies
- Emergence of tech diving within the mainstream.
9WHO ELSE USES NITROX?
- Recreational dive professionals
- Public safety divers
- Scientific divers
- Commercial divers
- NASA astronauts
10HOW IS NITROX DELIVERED TO THE DIVER?
- Specially marked cylinders
- Diver must have proof of nitrox certification
- Diver must analyze gas
- Diver must sign gas log
- For Nitrox Experience programs Certified
DM/Instructors to comply with above procedures.
11NITROX PRODUCTION OPTIONS
- PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
- CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
- MEMBRANE SYSTEM
12PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
- Decant 100 pure O2 to dive cylinder
- 2. Top off with O2 J grade compatible air
- Amounts vary according to required mix and
cylinder contents must be calculated.
13ADVANTAGES OF PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
- Lowest start up costs of blending methods.
- Popular with technical divers
14DISADVANTAGES OF PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING
- Requires transport and handling of 100 pure high
pressure O2 - Requires error free mathematical calculations
- Requires special filtration expensive
consumables to reach J grade quality air. - Requires trained/certified gas blending
technician.
15ADDITIONAL DISADVANTAGES OF P/P BLENDING
- Mix may not be exact /-
- P/P blending should be very slow
- 100 O2 availability
- Purchase transport costs of
- 100 O2
- High levels of liability for operators
16CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
- Gas is pre-mixed using O2 breathing air with a
blending panel - 2. Normal high pressure
- compressor is used to fill cylinder
17ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
- Relatively inexpensive
- More practical faster than partial pressure
blending - If using an automated blending panel its is an
easy to use precise method. The panel achieves
reduction of associated O2 handing risks with the
use of auto O2 cut - off valves
18DISADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING
- 100 O2 availability
- Purchase transport costs of 100 O2
- High levels of liability for operators
19MEMBRANE SYSTEM NITROX PRODUCTION
- Normal Air filtered to Grade E standard pumped
into membrane _at_ low pressure - O2 permeates thru membrane more than N2 . N2 rich
mix vented, O2 rich mix pumped into high pressure
compressor - Normal high pressure compressor used to
fill cylinder. - N2O2 mix controlled via
air flow rate into
membrane.
20POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
- LP compressor - LP filtration - Membrane - HP
compressor - cylinder
21POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
- Air bank - LP pressure reducer - LP filtration -
Membrane - HP compressor - Cylinder
22ADVANTAGES OF A MEMBRANE SYSTEM
- Simple operation
- No need to store or mix high-pressure O2
- Virtually eliminates hazards associated with
handling 100 O2 - Highly accurate method of blending
23ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES OF MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
- FAST Fill nitrox tanks at same speed you fill
with air - LOW Maintenance operating costs.
- SIMPLE Training use.
Note Membrane systems have the lowest levels
of Operator risk exposure when filling Nitrox
cylinders.
24RELIABILITY OF THE COLTRI /NUVAIR MEMBRANE
- Systems reliable as a normal air compressor
systems - 20-30 year life span
- Compressor are covered by 1 year warranty
- Membrane systems are covered by 5 year warranty.
Note It is Important stated maintenance
procedures are followed
25DISADVANTAGES OF A MEMBRANE SYSTEM?
- Higher initial capital investment
- May require additional electrical power
26IS A NEW HP COMPRESSOR NEEDED FOR NITROX?
- Can usually use your existing compressor .
- A well maintained used compressor may need a
mild overhaul and internal cleanup if previously
used with mineral oil.
Any HP Compressor used to compress Nitrox must
be lubricated by a synthetic oil rated for use
with nitrox
27IS USING NITROX WITH A HP COMPRESSOR SAFE?
- There are attendant risks with compressing any
gas - Compressing N2O2 containing 40 or less O2 poses
no more risk than pumping normal breathing air at
higher pressures
28WHEN USING MEMBRANE OR CONTINUOUS BLENDING
- Considerations
- Slightly more conservative than compressing air
- Compressor oil
- Compressor operating temp.
- Filtration
29WHAT IF I NEED TO PRODUCE 40 NITROX MIX?
- Recreational Divers will not use more than 40
Nitrox - The most popular mix currently used within dive
centers/vessels is 32 - If a deco mix exceeding 40 is required by tech
divers a P/P system can be used.
Note Recommended depth limit for recreational
divers is 30m, best suited to a 32 Nitrox mix
30TRAINING STAFF TO FILL NITROX TANKS
- Most people can learn to operate a membrane
nitrox system in less than one hour.
We will be conducting a live demonstration at the
end of this session
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