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MICBlast™ — Corrosion Inhibiting System
MicBlast"The Green Solution to Inhibiting Corrosion"
The MICBlast™ - Corrosion Inhibiting System for dry and pre-action Fire Protection Systems (FPS) is designed to generate and introduce high purity Nitrogen (N2) into the sprinkler system as a supervisory gas.
Traditionally, compressed air is used as a supervisory gas for such systems. However, the constant presence of oxygen in the compressed air supports corrosion of the steel or galvanized piping. This corrosion, more specifically, microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), has been identified as a real threat to the integrity of sprinkler systems. Once corrosion is present in the piping, future repairs are inevitable and are costly. The best alternative, Nitrogen, is a clean, dry, non-flammable, inert gas and does not support the corrosion reaction.
Using Nitrogen to Protect Your Fire Protection System
Nitrogen is a clean, dry, non-flammable, inert gas. The MICBlast™, Nitrogen Generator, supplies N2 on demand at low pressure making it a safer alternative to using high pressure Nitrogen cylinders. Where the Nitrogen cylinders must be handled with extreme care, are heavy, and must be stored and chained up at all times, the MICBlast™ system is compact and generates its own high purity Nitrogen. There is no longer a need to monitor the Nitrogen supply to the FPS or reorder Nitrogen cylinders, therefore making the MICBlast™ a more convenient, cost effect and worry free solution to inhibit FPS corrosion.
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Benefits of the MICBlast™ Corrosion Inhibiting System
Buildings that use dry or pre-action Fire Prevention Systems will truly benefit from installing the MICBlast™ Corrosion Inhibiting System. Benefits include:
- Preserving Your FPS - Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) has been identified as a real threat for the integrity of dry and pre-action Fire Protection Systems and the MICBlast™ is designed to prevent this kind of corrosion.
- Environmentally Friendly – "The Green Solution to Inhibiting Corrosion." In displacing the oxygen with Nitrogen the bacteria responsible for corrosion in the FPS cannot survive. Therefore the MICBlast eliminates the need for chemical corrosion inhibitors.
- Simple Installation - The MICBlast™ is compact and requires only a connection to a compressed air line (compressor is an available option) and, in turn, the MICBlast with its N2 Storage Tank can be connected directly to the FPS riser.
- Increased Safety - The MICBlast™ generates Nitrogen on demand at low pressure (60-110 psi) as opposed to handling high pressure (2500+ psi) Nitrogen cylinders. Nitrogen is not a chemical additive and poses no possible chemical hazard.
- Convenience - Since the MICBlast™ generates Nitrogen on demand you will not have to worry about running out of gas or constantly changing-out high pressure Nitrogen cylinders.
- Cost Effective - Nitrogen is an optimum gas to maintain your dry or pre-action sprinkler system but the cost of high pressure Nitrogen cylinders quickly adds up. With the purchase of the MICBlast™ the only other cost is an inexpensive annual filter kit.
- Reliable - The MICBlast™ eliminates the risk of de-pressurization of the Fire Protection System due to untimely Nitrogen gas cylinder run-outs.
- Minimizes Need for Additional Equipment - The MICBlast™ requires only a compressed air supply to produce high-purity Nitrogen; no need for desiccant or regenerative dryers when Nitrogen generators are employed; no need for chemical corrosion inhibitors.
- Prolonging the Service Life of Your FPS - The inert nature of Nitrogen prevents the oxidation and aging of polymeric gaskets, seals, and O-rings within the Fire Protection System, thereby prolonging the overall service life of your FPS.
Why Be Concerned About Corrosion in Sprinkler Systems?
Corrosion in the Sprinkler System of your Fire Protection System is cause for concern for a number of reasons:
- Corrosion Can Cause Pinhole Leaks - Pinhole leaks caused by corrosion in your dry or pre-action FPS can:
- be disruptive to normal operations
- cause potential damage to equipment and/or property
- lead to loss of revenue due to shutdowns
- cause the continuous introduction of oxygenated water due to repeated draining for repairs
- lead to costly ongoing repairs
- Corrosion can be Indicative of Other Problems - Corrosion in the pipes of your dry or pre-action sprinkler system can mean:
- non-compliance with NFPA 13
- improper installation including improper slope, trapped air, or inadequate drainage
- improper operation or maintenance
- possible microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) activity
Why Use Nitrogen as the Supervisory Gas in Your FPS?
Dry and pre-action fire protection systems require the use of a supervisory gas that, when the system is triggered by both smoke and heat, will vent out through the open sprinkler head followed by the water that has been allowed into the piping by the triggered preaction valve.
Traditionally, compressed air is used as a supervisory gas for dry and pre-action sprinkler systems. However, the constant availability of oxygen in the compressed air supports corrosion of the steel piping in the presence of moisture, which is almost always present.
There are many reasons why Nitrogen is preferable as a supervisory gas in Fire Protection Systems:
- Nitrogen is an inert gas which does not support the corrosion reaction while compressed air does.
- Nitrogen effectively displaces all oxygen from the system and stops the corrosion reaction by eliminating the cathodic oxygen reaction.
- The dew point of 95% N2 is approximately -71 degrees F which enables it to hold much more moisture than compressed air. This effectively "dries out" any residual moisture from the system (introduced into the system by humid air) thereby removing another prerequisite for corrosion.
- The inert nature of N2 eliminates oxidation of non-metallic components of the Fire Protection System.
- Cyclic venting of N2 will, over time, completely remove any residual moisture and thereby completely arrest corrosion.
- Inert nature of N2 is much less detrimental to soft parts (seals, gaskets etc) than compressed air (oxygen causes oxidation of polymeric parts over time).
- Absence of water will completely eliminate the potential threat of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
- Prevents the formation of “ice blocks” in freezer FPS systems.
How Does Nitrogen Inhibit Corrosion in Fire Protection Systems?
Nitrogen as a supervisory gas prevents deterioration of galvanized and/or black steel dry and pre-action fire protection systems (FPS) by:
- Stopping further deterioration of the zinc layer in galvanized piping and preserving the integrity of previously damaged piping.
- Protecting galvanized piping from corrosion regardless of whether or not there are breaches in the zinc layer exposing the underlying black steel.
- Facilitating complete dehydration of the system piping even after flow testing.
- Eliminating the possibility of oxygen-driven electrochemical corrosion and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
MICBlast™in the Press
Purchase Your MICBlast™ Corrosion Inhibiting System for FPS Today
We invite you to email customer service with any questions you may have regarding the MICBlast™ Corrosion Inhibiting System for Fire Protection Systems, the use of Nitrogen in FPS, or the benefits of using a Nitrogen Generator.
Our experienced and knowledgeable sales staff will be happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have and guide you through the process of purchasing your MICBlast™ today.
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