Bauer’s ME13-E3/D compressor

The third unit, powered by a water-cooled diesel engine is utilised as a “reserve” system in the rare instance that the rig loses electrical power.

Each compressor is capable of discharging air at up to 6,000 psig. However, a typical installation includes an air storage system comprising multiple storage cylinders rated at 5,000 psig, with each cylinder accommodating at least 472 cubic feet at pressure.

These are all piped together providing large volumes of stored high pressure breathing air. The compressor is set to start and stop based on the pressure demand in the system – switching off at maximum pressure then restarting at typically 4,500 psig.

Installations of this nature are more often than not containerised solutions, as it consolidates all of the high pressure breathing air piping and ancillary gear in one location, making it easier for deck movement without fear of system contamination or hazards.

These installations are frequently utilised when trace elements of H2S are, or may be, present on the rig and operators are required to wear a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). However these packages are also used in support of fire fighting operations wherein firefighters may be required to wear an SCBA.

The SCBA is typically rated for a maximum operating pressure of 4,500 psig and depending upon the volume of the cylinder will have a duration of 30 to 60-minutes depending upon what is specified by the operator. The SCBA filling process is quite simple.

The 5,000 psig stored air is decanted into the 4,500 psig SCBA via manually operated filling panel. Air comes into the basic fill panel via high pressure piping with the incoming pressure indicated on the inlet pressure gauge. The operator regulates down to the maximum SCBA fill pressure via manually turning the regulator adjusting knob either counter or clockwise.

The regulated pressure is indicated on the regulated air outlet gauge, and then directed to the SCBA fill whips. During the fill process the SCBA cylinder is placed either on a work bench, inside a length of pipe or in some instances is filled directly on the back of the user.

For rig operators wishing to maximise operator safety, there have been significant advancements in recent history that remove the risk of fragmentation injuries from ruptured fill whips or SCBA cylinders during the fill process.

Called a containment fill station (CFS), these devices are a repository for the SCBA cylinder during the entire fill process. The chamber where the cylinder is placed provides a barrier between the fill whip, cylinder and the operator during the fill process.

These fill stations are tested in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association standard number 1901 to contain the fragments of a ruptured cylinder during the fill process. Bauer offers a complete line of fill stations exceeding the current NFPA 1901 standard.