SCBA High-Pressure Breathing Air Compressor

High-Pressure SCBA Air Compressor (Marine & Industrial Class)

The high-pressure SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) Air Compressor series is engineered for continuous-duty refilling of composite and steel breathing air cylinders to working pressures of 200 bar, 232 bar, 300 bar, and 330 bar. Designed to meet the demanding requirements of commercial marine vessels, offshore platforms, municipal fire rescue brigades, and petrochemical plants, these units deliver medical-grade breathing air conforming strictly to DIN EN 12021, CGA Grade E, and SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.4.1.3 mandates.

The high-pressure SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) Air Compressor series is engineered for continuous-duty refilling of composite and steel breathing air cylinders to working pressures of 200 bar, 232 bar, 300 bar, and 330 bar. Designed to meet the demanding requirements of commercial marine vessels, offshore platforms, municipal fire rescue brigades, and petrochemical plants, these units deliver medical-grade breathing air conforming strictly to DIN EN 12021, CGA Grade E, and SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.4.1.3 mandates.

Model Details:

Key Features

1. Advanced 3/4-Stage Compression Core: Precision-machined aluminum alloy crankcase with cast-iron cylinder barrels, hardened steel valves, and free-floating pistons on final stages ensuring minimum blow-by, stable inter-stage compression ratios, and prolonged seal service life.
2. Active Molecular Sieve & Tri-Purity Filtration: Integrated high-pressure purification cartridge combines synthetic molecular sieves, desiccant drying beads, and activated carbon with integrated CO-oxidation catalyst to reduce residual moisture below 25 mg/m³ and oil hydrocarbons below 0.1 mg/m³
3. Automatic Condensate Evacuation System: Programmable timed automatic condensate discharge solenoid dumps intermediate water/oil emulsions without operator intervention, complete with silent expansion chamber and environmental catch reservoir.
4. Fail-Safe Pressure & Overload Protection: Factory-calibrated inter-stage safety relief valves on each stage plus final pressure cut-off switch (electromechanical or digital transducer) set to automatically shut down drive systems at rated cylinder cut-off pressure.
5. Marine-Spec Corrosion Resistant Chassis: Electrostatic powder-coated structural steel or marine-grade stainless-steel subframe with isolated vibration dampers, resistant to salt mist, offshore ambient humidity, and continuous engine room vibrations.

Applications

• Marine & Offshore Firefighting Systems: SOLAS Chapter II-2 compliant emergency refilling stations for shipboard fireman outfits, emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD), and damage-control SCBA packs.
• Municipal & Industrial Fire Rescue: High-throughput cylinder recharging at fire stations, hazmat containment response centers, and emergency operations trailers.
• Commercial & Military Diving Operations: Surface-supplied air bank replenishments and SCUBA cylinder charging for deep-sea inspections, harbor salvage, and saturation diving support.
• Petrochemical, Mining & Confined Space Entry: Supplying Class-D and EN 12021 breathing-loop air for turnaround inspections in crude storage tanks, sulfur recovery units, and subterranean mine tunnels.

Equipment Compatibility & Cylinder Types

• Dräger: PSS 3000, PSS 5000, PSS 7000, PAS Lite series, and steel/carbon composite cylinders (300 Bar, Thread: DIN G5/8″ according to EN 144-2).
• MSA Safety: AirGo, AirMaXX, G1 SCBA platforms, 4500 PSI / 300 Bar Quick-Fill systems.
• Scott Safety / 3M: Air-Pak Fifty, Air-Pak 75, Air-Pak X3 Pro (CGA-347 and DIN-300 threaded connectors).
• Interspiro: Spiromatic, QS II, Incurve SCBA systems with standard 300 bar metric or CGA charging adapters.
• Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBD): Compatible with standard marine 15-minute 200/300 bar steel escape bottles (all major makers, CCS/MED approved).

Inventory Details:

Marine Chief Engineer’s Guide

1) Air Intake Siting in Shipboard Installations:

Never site the compressor intake near funnel exhaust uptakes, battery locker vents, incinerator exhausts, or paint locker extraction vents. Even trace concentrations of Carbon Monoxide (CO) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will quickly saturate the activated carbon filter bed and enter the breathing cylinders. Always route suction lines to a dedicated external weather-deck location with an approved moisture trap.

2) Condensate Management in High-Humidity Operating Environments:

In tropical sea routes (ambient temp >35°C, relative humidity >85%), intermediate inter-stage condensates accumulate at 3× the normal rate. Ensure the automatic condensate drain timer is adjusted from the standard 15-minute interval down to 8–10 minutes. If running a manual unit, open the 1st and 2nd stage drain petcocks every 10 minutes during charging to prevent hydraulic lock in the 3rd stage cylinder.

3) Cartridge Saturation Rules of Thumb:

Do not rely solely on calendar dates for filter element replacement. Purification cartridge life decreases by approximately 50% for every 10°C rise in compressor operating room temperature above 20°C. Maintain a dedicated runtime log against ambient temperature, or fit an electronic saturation indicator (Securus or C-Monitor equivalent).

4) Phase Sequence & Rotation Verification:

When connecting 3-phase shipboard power (440V/60Hz), always verify direction of rotation before tensioning belts or running under load. Reverse rotation starves the splash lubrication slingers and blocks the flywheel cooling fan blast over the intermediate cooling coils.

Frequently Asked Questions

What air purity standards do these SCBA compressors satisfy?

All models satisfy the stringent limits of DIN EN 12021:2014, CGA Grade D and Grade E, and US Navy diving air criteria. The multi-stage filtration guarantees CO < 5 ppm, CO2 < 500 ppm, oil content (droplets/vapor) < 0.1 mg/m³, and water dew point lower than -50°C at atmospheric pressure.

Can this compressor be connected to a 440V 60Hz marine grid directly?

Yes. The 3-phase electric drive configurations feature dual-rated 380V–415V 50Hz / 440V–480V 60Hz Class F/H marine-grade motors. The electrical terminal strip includes standard links for both Star and Delta configurations to match your switchboard voltage.

How many SCBA cylinders can be filled simultaneously?

The BAC-100 series supports single or dual cylinder filling lines. The high-capacity BAC-215, BAC-265, and BAC-320 series feature 2-way and 4-way filling manifolds equipped with independent bleed valves, pressure gauges, and 200 bar or 300 bar DIN charging connectors.

What is the service interval for changing synthetic compressor oil and cartridges?

The initial break-in oil change must be carried out at 25 running hours. Subsequent oil changes with approved full-synthetic breathing air compressor oil are required every 250 operating hours or 12 months (whichever comes first). Standard filter cartridges must be replaced every 50 operating hours or immediately upon reaching moisture saturation threshold.

Are explosion-proof (ATEX) configurations available for hazardous zones?

Yes. Hazardous area packages certified to ATEX Zone 1 / Zone 2 (Ex d IIB T4 / Ex de IIC T4) with flameproof control panels, anti-static drive belts, explosion-proof pressure switches, and bronze non-sparking cooling fans can be supplied on request.