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NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION

NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION. Presented by: Cesare Benelli,Coltri Sub & Glenn Huebner, Nuvair . WHAT IS “NITROX”?. N 2 O 2 Also referred to as EAN, EaNX, Enriched air, & Enriched air nitrox

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NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION

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  1. NITROX PRODUCTION WITHIN A DIVE OPERATION Presented by: Cesare Benelli,Coltri Sub & Glenn Huebner, Nuvair

  2. WHAT 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

  3. WHY 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.

  4. WHEN 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

  5. WHAT % OF REC DIVERS ARE USING NITROX? • Exact figures not known, but tens of 1000’s of divers train each year with Nitrox • Many dive resorts & liveaboard/charter vessels are already providing nitrox

  6. TRAINING 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%

  7. WHY 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

  8. ADDITIONAL 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.

  9. WHO ELSE USES NITROX? • Recreational dive professionals • Public safety divers • Scientific divers • Commercial divers • NASA astronauts

  10. HOW 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.

  11. NITROX PRODUCTION OPTIONS: • PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING • CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING • MEMBRANE SYSTEM

  12. PARTIAL 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.

  13. ADVANTAGES OF PARTIAL PRESSURE BLENDING • Lowest start up costs of blending methods. • Popular with technical divers

  14. DISADVANTAGES 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.

  15. ADDITIONAL 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

  16. CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING • Gas is pre-mixed using O2 & breathing air with a blending panel 2. Normal high pressure compressor is used to fill cylinder

  17. ADVANTAGES 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 O2handing risks with the use of auto O2 cut - off valves

  18. DISADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW BLENDING • 100% O2 availability • Purchase & transport costs of 100% O2 • High levels of liability for operators

  19. MEMBRANE SYSTEM NITROX PRODUCTION • Normal Air filtered to Grade E standard & pumped into membrane @ 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.

  20. POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS LP compressor - LP filtration - Membrane - HP compressor - cylinder

  21. POSSIBLE MEMBRANE SYSTEMS Air bank - LP pressure reducer - LP filtration - Membrane - HP compressor - Cylinder

  22. ADVANTAGES 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

  23. ADDITIONAL 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.

  24. RELIABILITY 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

  25. DISADVANTAGES OF A MEMBRANE SYSTEM? • Higher initial capital investment • May require additional electrical power

  26. IS 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

  27. IS 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

  28. WHEN USING MEMBRANE OR CONTINUOUS BLENDING… Considerations: • Slightly more conservative than compressing air • Compressor oil • Compressor operating temp. • Filtration

  29. WHAT 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

  30. TRAINING 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

  31. END OF PART ONE

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