All requirements in this article must be met before installation begins. Operating the HPCF Series nitrogen generator outside of these specifications may result in reduced performance, equipment damage, personal injury, or voiding of the product warranty. If you have questions about any requirement, contact South-Tek Systems before proceeding.
Air Supply Requirements
The HPCF Series nitrogen generator does not include an integrated air compressor — a properly sized external compressed air system is required. The air supply must meet all of the following conditions at the generator's inlet connection to achieve rated purity and production output.
Feed Air Temperature and Moisture
| Parameter | Required Value |
|---|---|
| Feed air temperature | 40–100°F (4–38°C) unless unit is specially designed — see unit-specific design documents |
| Water dew point (standard) | 40°F (4°C) or better |
| Water dew point (some models) | −100°F (−73°C) — confirm against unit-specific design documents |
Feed Air Pressure
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum inlet pressure | 100 PSIG |
| Maximum inlet pressure | 150 PSIG |
| Design inlet pressure | Set per unit-specific design specifications — must match to achieve rated purity and flow |
Air consumption varies depending on the target nitrogen purity and flow rate. Contact South-Tek Systems to confirm the required feed air flow for your specific unit configuration.
Air Supply Piping
All air supply piping is customer-supplied and installed. Piping must be capable of delivering the required maximum feed air flow at the specified pressure, measured at the generator's inlet connection.
Piping Run Length
| Run Length from Air Receiver | Action Required |
|---|---|
| 50 feet or less | Standard sizing per design documents is acceptable |
| Greater than 50 feet | Consult a qualified piping contractor to upsize line diameter and maintain required flow and pressure at the generator inlet |
Electrical Requirements
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Supply voltage | 110V or 220V / 1Ph / 50–60Hz (confirm on unit nameplate label) |
| Operating current draw | <2 amps |
| Connection method | Hard-wired to an approved electrical box (unless otherwise specified in customer installation drawings) |
| Control panel listing | UL 508A Open Industrial Control Panel |
| Internal fuse | 7-amp time delay fuse |
| Electrical schematic | Hard copy included with unit; electronic copy available upon request from South-Tek Systems |
Site Specifications
Environment and Temperature
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Location type | Non-hazardous area; indoors (unless the unit was specifically designed for outdoor use) |
| Minimum ambient temperature | 33°F (0.5°C) |
| Maximum ambient temperature | 100°F (38°C) |
Space and Clearance
Adequate clearance must be maintained on all sides of the generator for technician access and routine maintenance. The installation area must also have sufficient floor space to accommodate the air receiver skid and product nitrogen receiver skid alongside the generator. Plan the full system footprint — including all ancillary equipment — before finalizing the installation location.
Exhaust (Vent) Piping
PSA nitrogen generators exhaust oxygen-enriched waste gas during normal operation. This exhaust may be vented to atmosphere inside the building or routed outdoors. The following rules apply to any exhaust piping added beyond what is supplied with the unit:
| Exhaust Run Length | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Any length | Pipe must be the same size or larger than the exhaust connection supplied with the generator; keep runs as short and straight as possible |
| Greater than 10 feet | Consult a qualified piping contractor; pipe must be sized to keep backpressure below 0.5 PSIG at the exhaust port |
Outdoor Package Option
The HPCF Series is designed for indoor installation by default. An optional outdoor package is available for applications where indoor installation is not feasible. This option must be specified at the time of order and is subject to site-specific limitations — refer to the project specifications for details.
The outdoor package typically includes the following upgrades:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Electronics enclosure | NEMA Type 4 rated cabinet |
| Nitrogen cabinet purge | Supplied from product nitrogen storage tank to maintain a low dew point inside the cabinet and prevent moisture accumulation — keep cabinet door closed during operation |
| Thermal management | Cooler and/or heater (depending on site climate) to keep electronics within 40–104°F (5–40°C) / 10–90% RH non-condensing |
| Rain protection | A roof and/or walls to shield from driving rain are required |
Pre-Installation Checklist
Verify all of the following before proceeding to installation:
| # | Checklist Item | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Compressed air system sized and capable of delivering required pressure (100–150 PSIG) and peak flow (up to 3× average) at generator inlet | ☐ |
| 2 | Dryer selected and sized to maintain required feed air dew point at generator inlet | ☐ |
| 3 | Air supply piping sized for peak flow; runs over 50 ft reviewed by a piping contractor | ☐ |
| 4 | Electrical supply confirmed to match unit nameplate voltage and frequency; qualified electrician assigned for hard-wire connection | ☐ |
| 5 | Installation area confirmed non-hazardous, indoors (or outdoor package ordered), and within 33–100°F (0.5–38°C) ambient temperature range | ☐ |
| 6 | Sufficient floor space allocated for generator, air receiver skid, and product nitrogen receiver skid, with maintenance clearance on all sides | ☐ |
| 7 | Exhaust vent path planned; pipe sized same or larger than supplied connection; runs over 10 ft reviewed to confirm backpressure below 0.5 PSIG | ☐ |
| 8 | General Arrangement Drawing reviewed; system layout finalized to match drawing | ☐ |
Related Articles
- HPCF Series — Overview & Specifications
- HPCF Series — Installation & Startup
- HPCF Series — Controls & Operation
- HPCF Series — Alarms & Troubleshooting
- HPCF Series — Filter & Preventive Maintenance
- HPCF Series — Safety Guidelines
- HPCF-SFI — Overview & Specifications
Contact South-Tek Systems
Phone: (910) 415-1880
Email / Ticket: support@southteksystems911.zendesk.com