Experts in fire protection

Advantages at a glance


The new Minimax Oxeo EcoPrevent PG fire prevention system is based on state-of-the-art PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology for nitrogen (N2) generation and consumes less compressed air and energy than previously used PSA and membrane systems.

Thanks to particularly efficient components, the system always operates at low pressure levels of 6 to 9 bar(g). It has a separate compressed air source or can be supplied via a customer's existing compressed air network.

Advantages of oxygen reduction systems in general

  • Fires cannot occur at all
  • No consequential loss through heavy production of smoke, short circuits or extinguishing agents
  • Interruptions to business are minimized
  • High flexibility due to modularity of the system

Advantages Oxeo EcoPrevent PG

  • Favorable and eligible investment
  • Heat recovery possible
  • Lowest operating costs compared to conventional PSA systems safety due to up to 5 years warranty
  • Continuous surveillance as well as data monitoring and visualization

 

Structure of the Oxeo EcoPrevent PG system

1
PSA generator
2
Tank A
3
Process tank
4
Tank B
5
Control display
6
Control display
7
Refrigeration dryer
8
Compressed air tank
9
Compressor
10
EcoPrevent control panel
Construction of Oxeo EcoPrevent PG systems
  1. PSA generator
  2. Tank A
  3. Process tank
  4. Tank B
  5. Control display
  6. Control display
  7. Refrigeration dryer
  8. Compressed air tank
  9. Compressor
  10. EcoPrevent control panel

How does Oxeo EcoPrevent PG work?

Operating principle

The PSA nitrogen generation system works on the pressure swing principle. Tanks filled with carbon granules realize the separation of oxygen and thus the reduction of the oxygen content in the air. The granules consist of specially treated activated carbon, which enables the separation of oxygen and nitrogen.

In contrast to the Oxeo EcoPrevent VG variant, the PG variant uses a separate compressed air source that operates at a pressure level of 6 to 9 bar(g) as well as suitable compressed air treatment. The compressed ambient air is fed into an adsorption tank. This contains carbon granules that retain the smaller oxygen molecules in their pores. The nitrogen can thus flow past and is thus separated from the oxygen. A cycle lasts about 60 seconds and includes the separation of nitrogen in one tank (adsorption) and the removal of the bound oxygen in a second tank (desorption). Since this process is repeated continuously in alternation, nitrogen is permanently available for supplying the protected area.

Efficiency increase

The air factor (efficiency of the N2 generator in relation to the required compressed air ) and the low power consumption of the air compressors have been optimized to the maximum, so that our new PSA systems guarantee maximum economy at comparatively low investment costs.

Furthermore, the complete compressed air treatment, consisting of a refrigeration dryer, several filter stages and an activated carbon adsorber, has been reworked to make it even more process-safe and flow-optimized.

 In many cases, the economic efficiency of a PSA system can be increased by using a heat recovery system to generate hot water in the heating circuit.

Process reliability

Oxeo EcoPrevent PG systems offer a user-friendly interface including an online diagnostics platform with a wide range of control and monitoring options for economical and reliable control and monitoring of the system. All information from the sensors installed as standard, such as pressure dew point, oxygen and flow sensors, is displayed in the interface and reflects the efficient operation of the N2 generator.

Applications Oxeo EcoPrevent PG

High rack storage
High rack storage

Protection zone

High rack storage shelves are up to 50m high and are mostly designed for the intake of Europallets. Their capacity ranges from a few thousand to several hundred thousand pallet storage positions. On a very small surface area they offer space for extremely large quantities of goods and products. Between every two rows of storage shelves there is an alley in which rack feeders move up and down.

Risks

  • Rapid spreading of fire in a vertical direction due to stacked pallets
  • Chimney effect, i.e. flames and fire gases are drawn upward through the shafts

Fire Protection

Sprinkler systems have been proven to work well in high rack storage facilities. In the conventional version, sprinklers are installed both under the ceiling and in the shelves. However, the installation of shelf sprinklers is rendered unnecessary if ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) sprinklers, which are installed only in the ceiling, can be deployed. Fire detection systems for the early detection of fires are also used to supplement sprinkler systems in high rack storage facilities. In these cases, Minimax recommends the use of HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors with a vertical installation of the suction lines in the shelves and mounting the evaluation units in easily accessible locations. The advantage of such a solution over punctiform smoke detectors is, for example, that they can be serviced very easily without having to interrupt business operations.

Paper roll depots
Paper roll depots

Protection zone

As a rule, paper rolls are stored in block storage facilities. Some warehouses are equipped with mechanical gripping systems - in other words, automatic paper roll depots.

Risks

  • Chimney effect through shafts between the paper rolls
  • The use of water as an extinguishing agent is impeded in cases where absorbent sanitary paper is stored.

Fire Protection

In principle, the same fire protection systems described for block storage facilities can be used in these cases too. Protection concepts based on ESFR sprinklers or – in the case of warehouses with greater heights – a carbon dioxide extinguishing system are viable alternatives for situations where the storage of absorbent sanitary paper prevents the use of water-based fire extinguishing systems. In this case, too, carbon dioxide has the advantage – compared to other extinguishing gases – that it is also suitable for fighting deep seated smoldering fires. In large-dimension storage areas that require large quantities of carbon dioxide, we recommend storing the extinguishing agent in low-pressure containers for reasons of cost. For automated paper roll depots, Oxeo Prevent fire prevention systems are a viable alternative. The system is triggered by a fire detection system, HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detector, to allow for early detection.

Refrigerated storage
Refrigerated storage

Protection zone

Refrigerated storage is widespread especially in the food industry and in the related, downstream commercial operations. The goods and products are stored for purpose at temperatures of up to -40 °C. The necessary heat insulation often consists of non-flammable or flammable insulation materials with varying fire performance, often in the form of sandwich elements. Rack storage is predominant in refrigerated storage facilities

Risks

  • Dry air promotes the rapid spread of fire
  • Additional fire loads when using flammable insulation material
  • Extinguishing water without antifreeze additives will freeze over very quickly.

Fire Protection

Oxeo Prevent fire prevention systems are the ideal solution for refrigerated storage facilities, since the conditions for their use — no permanent presence of people in the storage facility, a well-sealed building shell and very low infiltration of fresh air caused by bringing in and removing goods — are also required to maintain the desired temperature level. Moreover, they offer perfect protection for the storage of foodstuff that is sensitive to smoke and temperatures. Oxeo Prevent fire prevention systems are mostly used in combination with HELIOS AMX5000 aspirating smoke detectors with a highly sensitive setting to ensure earliest fire detection. Heated aspirating outlets ensure their proper operation in refrigerated areas. Though Oxeo Prevent can only prevent a smoldering fire from turning into an open fire, the fire and the cause of fire would remain permanently undetected in the absence of an earliest fire detection system. Alternatively, sprinkler systems can be installed in such conditions — here ideally fitted with ESFR sprinklers. If there is a sufficiently spaced, frost-free intermediate area above the ceiling available, we recommend pendent Viking ESFR dry sprinklers. Combined with a Minimax PipeGuard Antifreeze system, sprinkler systems can be used in refrigerated storage facilities at a temperature of up to -40 °C.

Server rooms
Server rooms

Protection zone

Server rooms are important, sensitive areas. In these rooms, data of high importance for business operations is stored, managed and exchanged over the network. The irretrievable loss of this data through a fire may have considerable economic consequences for productivity or even the future of a company.

Risks

  • Overheating of technical equipment
  • Defects such as short circuits
  • Considerable damage even in the case of small fires

Fire Protection

For small and medium-sized server rooms, the MX 1230 extinguishing system is the ideal solution. It gives residue-free extinguishing using the innovative Novec™ 1230 extinguishing agents and requires very little space. Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are ideal for large server rooms. The MX 1230 extinguishing system and Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are triggered, and fires are detected, by a fire detection system using a HELIOS AMX5000 smoke aspirating system.

Eligibility for BAFA funding (only for Germany)

The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) grants investment subsidies of up to 40% for the use of highly efficient technologies. Further information on federal funding.

Do you need assistance with your application?

 

Downloads

Oxeo EcoPrevent
Brochures (1 mb)
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Oxeo EcoPrevent PG
Overview information (246 kb)
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