All you want to know about LPG/AIR mixers

Gas mixers are designed to mix several gases and obtain a mixture in the desired percentage ratio. In this case we talk about heating, LPG air mixers are an integral part of an industrial gas installation. By the way, the need for this equipment is present in many industries – from welding production, food packaging to medical applications. Let`s talk about it in more detail.

What is a mixture of LPG and Air?

A mixture of LPG or liquefied gas in certain proportions with air is called synthetic natural gas. As an alternative fuel for homes or power supply of industrial equipment – it is used by advanced countries for the purpose of autonomy and savings. This is explained by such advantages of LPG as:

• ecological purity;
• convenient storage in gas holders or cylinders;
• easy transportation;
• affordable cost.

In order to be able to use the same equipment for LPG as for natural gas (NG), it is necessary to mix propane (in a proportion of 57% to 43%) or butane (47% to 53%) with air. An effective LPG + Air technology has been developed for such a mixture today, the equipment with which is owned by the I-MAXIMUM company.
Gas supply systems operating on propane-butane mixtures and using LPG-AIR (propane-air) mixing units, producing a full-fledged substitute for natural gas, can be organized in any conditions and for the energy supply of any facilities (industrial, agricultural, commercial, private).

Advantages of using LPG air mixers

Quality / homogeneity

 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Air mixers produce an absolutely homogeneous gas mixture of the highest quality. The stability of the composition and quality of the gas mixture is a guarantee of the reliability of production processes.

Versatility

Produce the gas mixture you need yourself, in the right place and at the right time. Gas mixers offer numerous options for the composition and volume of the produced gas mixture, as well as the installation location of the device. Even mobile use is possible thanks to special portable models of gas mixers.

Cost-effectiveness

Producing the necessary gas mixture is profitable, thanks to the low prices for standard types of gases. There is no longer any need for labor-intensive storage of stocks of numerous ready-made gas mixtures and manipulations with gas cylinders.

Operating principles of LPG+ Air technology

For successful operation of the alternative gas supply system, the following equipment is used:

• gas storage tank;
• pump feeding liquefied gas to the evaporator;
• LPG evaporator;
• compressor pumping compressed air into the mixer;
• LPG+AIR mixer.

The main goal of such a system is to produce a mixture of propane with air. For this, mixers are used that mix propane with atmospheric or compressed air. Manufacturers supply the gas equipment market with a wide range of LPG-AIR mixers, differing from each other in:

• performance;
• operating principles;
• design;
• process control and safety systems.

There are also combined type mixers, which include evaporators.

Gas Mixing Technologies – How Do Gas Mixers Work?

There are essentially four types of LPG Air blenders:

Gas mixers with a mechanical mixing valve

Mechanical gas mixers are classic equipment and have long proven themselves in numerous working equipment systems around the world. This technology allows you to reliably mix almost any type of technical gases and obtain accurate and stable gas mixtures.
A proportional mixing valve is most often used to produce two-component gas mixtures. Gas mixers with mechanical mixing valves allow, depending on the area of ​​application, both continuous and cyclic selection of the gas mixture – in combination with receivers for the finished gas mixture. They are distinguished by their robust design and do not require complex maintenance. Optionally, they can be equipped with additional equipment, such as a gas analyzer module or an inlet pressure monitoring system with an alarm.

Gas mixers with an electronic mixing valve

Gas mixers with an electronic mixing valve are designed for use with all types of technical gases, in any technological process. The technological basis of this method of mixing gases are proportional or separate mixing valves, depending on the number of components of the gas mixture. The operating principle of the mixing valve is simple and ingenious: a movable piston in combination with various valves regulates the volume of gas supply and ensures the production of a gas mixture of the required composition. Gas mixers with mechanical mixing valves allow, depending on the area of ​​application, both continuous selection of the gas mixture and cyclic – in combination with receivers for the finished gas mixture.

Gas mixers with a Mass Flow Controller

Gas mixers equipped with MFC technology ensure the highest accuracy of the gas mixture composition. The operating principle of these gas mixers is to regulate the flow volume of individual types of gas. The flow of each type of gas is controlled by a separate regulator. The gas flow volume is determined and regulated by measuring thermal conductivity. MFC technology guarantees the highest accuracy of the composition and volume of the gas mixture. Gas mixers with MFC technology are designed to produce two- or multi-component gas mixtures. Depending on the technological process, it is possible to combine and simultaneously connect several gas mixers in the form of a compact single unit, as well as equip them with all additional functions.

How to choose a gas mixer?

The key parameters for choosing a gas mixer are the amount of source gases (the component composition of the finished gas mixture) and productivity, i.e. what volume of gas mixture is needed, how many consumers need to be provided.
It is important to understand that in order to obtain high-quality finished products, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach. The entire gas supply system, of which the gas mixer is a part, must be designed and constructed correctly in accordance with the desired result. We recommend that this system include the installation of a stationary or the use of a portable gas analyzer at least for startup and occasional monitoring. This will allow you to control the quality of the mixture, make timely adjustments and avoid product defects. And, of course, it is better to purchase gas mixers from trusted manufacturers.

Conclusion

The economic benefits of using the LPG+ Air technology are individual for each user and depend on the scale of the organized system, the user’s conditions (tasks to be solved), and the price of liquefied propane-butane. Therefore, it is always better to turn to professionals, such as I-MAXIMUM company, who will help you choose the optimal configuration of the equipment, install it and maintain it.