The drying of process systems, either post-construction or subsequent to turnaround hydrostatic testing, is a critical operation in many industries. Failure to ensure systems are free of moisture, or to a specific dew point, can have serious production or safety implications. Hydrate formation, pipework blockage, product impurity, the formation of corrosive chemicals, etc. can be caused by not drying to a recognized procedure and acceptance criteria.

A process system that has been “drained” of water can be dried by injecting or blowing with air or gaseous nitrogen. Nitrogen has a very low dew-point and can absorb moisture readily. GNS has a wide range of equipment suited to system drying, particularly for moisture sensitive petrochemical plants.