Air Driven Gas Boosters
What is an Air Driven Gas Booster?
Haskel Air Driven Gas Boosters consist of a large area reciprocating
air drive piston directly coupled by a connecting rod to a small area
gas piston. The gas piston operates in a high-pressure gas barrel section.
Each gas barrel end cap contains high-pressure inlet and outlet check
valves. The air drive section includes a cycling spool and pilot valves
that provide continuous reciprocating action when air is supplied to the
air drive inlet.
Isolation of the gas compression chambers from the air drive section
is provided by three sets of dynamic seals. The intervening two chambers
are vented to atmosphere. This design prevents air drive contamination
from entering the gas stream.
Cooling is provided by routing the cold exhausted drive air through an
individual jacket surrounding the gas barrel and also through an intercooler
on the interstage line (two-stage models only).
Basic types of gas boosters:

Key Features
- Air driven - no electricity required
- No airline lubricator required
- Hydrocarbon free - separation between air and gas sections
- Pressures to 39,000 psi (2690 bar)
- Wide range of models
- Built-in-cooling on most models
- Standard and custom systems available
- Suitable for most gases

Dimensions & Specifications
Acceptable Operating Temperatures
There are two distinct sections: the air drive section and the gas barrel
section.
Air Drive Section
The ambient air condition is normally all that need be considered since
this will usually determine the temperature of the air or gas drive
seals and other static components. Standard air drive sections should
cycle reliably within an ambient range of -4¼C to +65¼C (25¼ to 150¼F).
Lower temperatures will cause excessive air/gas leakage; higher temperatures
reduce seal life.
Drive air directly from a compressor should ideally be warm before
entering the air gas drive.
Gas Barrel Section
Low temperatures normally have little effect on the operation of standard
parts and seals. The heat from the compressing gas helps to balance
out an acceptable temperature. Maximum average acceptable temperature
115¼C (240¼F).
Gas Transfer & Pressurization
Haskel are specialists in the design, manufacture, test and commissioning
of standard and customised systems in a wide range of industries and applications.
Our experience in high pressure gas pressurization and transfer has enabled
us to develop our reputation for high pressure gas control technology.
Haskel Air or Gas Driven Gas Booster Compressors are suitable for transfer
and pressurization of:
- Nitrogen (N2)
- Helium (He)
- Breathing Air (N202)
- Nitrous Oxide (N20)
- Carbon Dioxide (C02)
- Neon (Ne)
- Argon (Ar)
- Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6)
- Oxygen (02) - maximum safe working pressure 345 bar (5000 psi)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)*
- Hydrogen (H2)*
- Methane (CH4)*
- Ethylene (C2H4)*
- Deuterium (D2)*
- Natural Gas (CH4) - often contains a high proportion of C02 &
N2 *
*For these gases (10 - 15), the gas booster must be operated in a safe
and well-ventilated area and vent(s) piped to controlled environment.
Liquefied type gases (propane, C02, nitrous oxide, halons, etc.) can
be boosted as a liquid or gas in controlled applications. Consult
your Haskel Australia representative or the factory for precise
recommendations.
Haskel boosters are noted for their cleanliness and can handle pure
gases such as oxygen without risk of any contamination. (Special cleaning
required
please advise your Haskel Australia
representative.)
Selecting a Haskel Air Driven Gas Booster
Air driven gas boosters have seven significant operating
parameters that determine their selection for any application. These are
as follows:
- Maximum discharge pressure?
- Flow rate
- Is it constant?
- What flow rate is required?
- Is it filling a vessel?
- What is the vessel size (water volume)?
- What is fill time required?
- Supply
- Is it at constant pressure?
- Is it decreasing?
- What is the initial pressure?
- What is the minimum pressure?
- Air drive pressure available?
- Air drive volume available?
- What is the gas?
- What is the application?
The selection of the proper booster for any application starts with determining
which booster "series" will provide the amount of flow required.
This can be determined from the flow vs. pressure curves provided. The
possible ratios for the application are determined by examination of the
performance data for the boosters using the air pressure and air flow
available. The ability of the booster to generate pressure is a function
of the drive pressure, the nominal ratio, and the maximum compression
ratio. The ability to generate flow is a function of the quantity of air
available to drive it, the displacement per cycle of the pump, and the
volumetric efficiency. Within each booster series, there are standard
materials of construction available. For applications involving aggressive
gases, some material substitutions may be possible.
Since the AG, AGD and AGT models have interconnected gas pistons, they
multiply supply pressure during the "interstage" stroke by the
area ratio of the two gas pistons. If supply pressure is too high, the
booster may have "interstage stall" at an outlet pressure substantially
less than that obtainable on the "output" stroke. The selection
that shows the maximum supply pressure as a factor times air drive pressure.
This limitation does not apply if outlet pressure is less than the "maximum
supply" times the area ratio of the two gas pistons.
Model Letter/Numbering Code - Example ( AGT 15/75
C)
|
|
AGT
|
15/75
|
C
|
|
NOMINAL DIA. OF AIR DRIVE PISTON
Inches (5-3/4" Diameter if not shown)
|
BASIC CONSTRUCTION
AG: Single Acting Pump, Single Stage, Driven with Single
Ended Drive.
AGD: Double Acting Pump action, Single Stage Driven with
Single or Double Ended Drive.
AGT. Two Stage Pump action driven with Single or Double
Ended Drive.
|
AREA RATIO - Nominal
XXX/XXX (on AGT Models) shows nominal area ratio for both first
and second stages.
|
CONTROLS, Installed |
Operating
Guidelines
Download Operating & Maintenance Instructions:
Model Ranges
Typical Applications
Applications for Haskel Gas Boosters are wide and varied. Charging nitrogen
and oxygen bottles for airlines, military, medical, fire and safety, diving
and processing industries represent just a few of the many uses.
See also: Products by Industry
Users of gases above normal cylinder pressures, or those requiring continuous
high pressure and wanting to utilise most of the cylinder supply, have
a requirement for a Haskel Booster.
Haskel specialises in standard and custom-built systems, specifically
designed to meet the customers' needs. A full range of high-pressure regulators,
valves, switches and ancillary equipment is available to suit all our
gas boosters.
Haskel charging units provide a fast, efficient and economical method
of charging, or "topping up" gas pressures in devices such as:
- Hydraulic accumulators
- Hydrogas suspension system: aircraft, trucks and off-road equipment
- Gas spring systems
- Automotive air bag gas storage systems
- Helicopter emergency "Pop Float" gas storage systems
- Charging escape chute inflation bottles
- Charging oxygen life support bottles
The units ensure that the optimum use is made of commercially bottled
gases down to as low as 150 psi or vaporised liquid (cryogenic) supplies
while producing pressures as high as 39,000 psi depending on gas type.
Units are standard or custom-built in a variety of configurations.
Please consult your Haskel Australia
representative or local distributor for further information or
advice on your application.
Optional Modifications
These are brief descriptions of some of the accessories offered by Haskel.
Request Catalogue
or
download
catalogue (PDF 4.45mb) |