Ingersoll Rand Unveils Expert Guide for Air Compressors and Nitrogen Generation Buying: 15 Tips for Reducing Risks, Cutting Costs and Improving Success Rates

Mastering the buying and project management procedures for compressed air and nitrogen generation systems is crucial for EPC contractors and engineering firms when securing contracts from key end-users. This expertise is particularly vital given that compression systems demand customization and adherence to stringent air quality and safety standards. Ingersoll Rand has prepared this guide to assist in the purchase of engineered compressors and nitrogen generation packages, while also focusing on cost savings.

Managing an engineered air compressors and nitrogen generation project can be a challenging task. Putting together a well-crafted plan that includes all necessary detail, including areas that require special attention based on initial evaluation of the customer specification, will be helpful in project management.

The process of studying and analyzing the technical specifications is crucial for delivering the client requirements. The most important content for analysis consists of the following:

1. Project description
   Pay special attention to environmental conditions. Site altitude, ambient temperature, typical weather or humidity among other things, have a direct impact on machine selection and customization options: special packaging, paint, material, special motors and so on. In addition, studying the technical requirements, such as scope of supply and pressure, is fundamental to the correct specifications of machinery.

2. Quality Standards
   In general, design, manufacturing and testing methods of plants have to conform to different codes and standards. A thorough understanding of compressed air quality and testing standards is therefore indispensable when designing your system to achieve the purity levels your application requires. The international standards you should apply will depend on the specific contaminants the client needs to remove and the purification equipment you will rely on to do so. In addition, you should take into account the local and international regulations for manufacturing, materials, etc.

3. Explosive environments certification
   If required by the end-user, the machines should be designed to provide air for a multitude of applications in complex conditions and hazardous environments. As with quality standards, ensure your vendor has the necessary certifications.

4. System requirements
   This part is of the utmost importance, as vendors are expected to comply with the requirements of the specifications. Deviations or exceptions to these requirements must be clearly defined in proposals. Technical requirements consist of the following:

• Compressor, vacuum or blower technical description
• Instrument air requirements & service air
• Connections
• Type of refrigeration equipment
• Motor requirements
• Surface preparation and painting
• Electrical requirements – Instrumentation
• Control (I&C) requirements

4. Inspection and testing
   Within this section, you will find information on routine tests carried out at the manufacturer’s works in accordance with relevant standards. For the most efficient and timely delivery, you should ensure that an inspection and test plan checklist is implemented.

6. Spare parts and guarantees
   Engage a company that does not require precommissioning or commissioning of spare parts. Ensure that post-commissioning spare parts in the contractor’s scope of supply are available during the construction and commissioning period. Regarding guarantees, the vendor will guarantee compliance of the requirements defined in the specifications.

7. Documentation
   Ensure that all of the required documentation is submitted: technical, quality, logistics & expediting, OSM, PEM, and any that are additionally specified.

Only by understanding the life cycle of vendor project management, you are able to reduce costs and improve success rates. Vendor project management teams control the entire process, from design and assembly to commissioning and start-up. Advanced engineering (AutoCAD, 3D modelling) and management tools (Microsoft Project) are typically used. The sales team, together with the project manager, work closely with both the client’s technical staff and any engineering companies to achieve the following targets:

1. Study and adopt specifications to fulfil the requirements of your client: Analyze the product range, including custom and special vendor requirements that will be needed.

2. Simplify the product configuration as much as possible: Identify the critical points and focus on them. Additionally, analyze the operating parameters, power supply, space required, and maintenance and control requirements. Concerning project integration, be very clear about the needs of the global project, including the compressed air or vacuum system.
3. Optimize the design: Have the project team deliver the optimal design of the installation by issuing all of the applicable documentation.
4. Ensure equipment uniformity: Where possible, equipment should have common characteristics that will deliver uniformity, such as having all pipe connections being the same to reduce pressure drop.
5. Define system storage pre-installation: To save money, the equipment storage needs between delivery and installation and start-up should be addressed. For example, if they machines will be stored near the sea, you will need special paint applied to avoid oxidation.
6. Assign vendor responsibility: To save time and avoid problem, ensure that the vendor is responsible for the entire process including packaging documentation, and that equipment transportation is in accordance with the corresponding ICOTERM.
7. Review the previous checklist to avoid delays: Make sure that the seller has specialized technicians available globally to perform PEM as soon as it is required.
8. Determine and document the duration of the project and scope: Define all required technical documentation and inspection reports that will be required for all equipment.

Ingersoll Rand’s provides specialized custom air and gas compressor and nitrogen generation packages to international EPC contractors and engineering companies across a range of industries.

Using the extensive experience that we have gained by working with EPC companies, Ingersoll Rand has developed the capabilities to carry our complex projects that are tailored to our customers’ requirements. Engineered for performance, our range of equipment is built to provide maximum efficiency, reliability and uptime.

For more information, visit Ingersoll Rand.

To speak with the experts at Ingersoll Rand, contact us.

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