AIR SEPARATION PLANT SOLUTIONS · UNITED KINGDOM
Oxygen, Nitrogen, Argon & Ammonia Gas Compressors for Industrial Air Separation
Nine precision-engineered compressor models covering 50–20,000 Nm³/h discharge capacity, 0.1–25 MPa working pressure, and motor power from 7.5 to 3,000 kW — purpose-built for oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and ammonia service in UK industrial gas and petrochemical facilities.
From British steel mills and medical gas facilities to chemical plants, reliable high-pressure process gas compression is critical. Our nine air-separation compressor units are purpose-built — not relabelled generics — for oxygen (O₂), nitrogen (N₂), argon (Ar), and ammonia (NH₃) service, engineered from the crankcase outward for long-life, low-downtime operation across the UK’s industrial heartlands.
Whether upgrading an existing ASU, building a nitrogen generation skid, or sourcing an argon booster, this range covers you. Flow rates span 1.2–93 Nm³/min across Z, L, M, D, and P frame types, with full UK pressure equipment compliance and ATEX electrical options available.
Product Range — Nine Models
Click any model image to view detail. For model-specific technical parameters beyond the general specification table, please contact us at [email protected].
3ZW-1.2/7-100 Oxygen Compressor
Three-column Z-type oxygen compressor. Inlet pressure 7 bar, discharge pressure 100 bar. Compact footprint — suited for small-scale hospital oxygen systems and cylinder filling stations across the UK.
OXYGEN
4ZW-84/30 Oxygen/Nitrogen Compressor
Four-column Z-type dual-service unit handling 84 Nm³/min at 30 bar. Purpose-designed for medium to large air separation plants requiring flexible switchover between oxygen and nitrogen service.
OXYGENNITROGEN
4MW-93/35 Oxygen/Nitrogen Compressor
M-type four-column design, highest flow in this range at 93 Nm³/min, 35 bar discharge. Built for large British steel production and bulk gas supply operations requiring continuous, uninterrupted service.
OXYGENNITROGEN
DW-40/4.9-10 Reciprocating Ammonia Compressor
D-type reciprocating design rated for 40 Nm³/min ammonia service. Inlet 4.9 bar, discharge 10 bar. Engineered with reinforced seal arrangements and NH₃-resistant materials for refrigeration and fertiliser plant applications.
AMMONIA
ZW-30/7-12 Oxygen Compressor
Z-type single-column oxygen compressor. 30 Nm³/min at 7–12 bar discharge pressure range. Popular in UK regional gas distribution hubs and cryogenic liquid oxygen vaporisation stations.
OXYGEN
ZW-2.5/3 Oxygen/Nitrogen Compressor
Compact Z-type unit delivering 2.5 Nm³/min at 3 bar. Ideal entry point for laboratories, small industrial users, and pilot-scale gas generation systems. Low noise and vibration profile for indoor installation.
OXYGENNITROGEN
3ZW-47/15 Argon Gas Compressor
Three-column Z-type argon compressor, 47 Nm³/min at 15 bar. Designed for argon recovery loops in air separation columns. Wetted parts are selected for chemical inertness to prevent trace contamination of high-purity argon product streams.
ARGON
LW-42/8 Oxygen/Nitrogen Compressor
L-type horizontal opposed-balance design. 42 Nm³/min dual-service capability at 8 bar. The L-type frame geometry delivers superior dynamic balance, making it a preferred option for installations on floating platforms or noise-sensitive UK manufacturing sites.
OXYGENNITROGEN
ZW-6/8 Oxygen/Nitrogen Compressor
Z-type mid-range unit at 6 Nm³/min, 8 bar. A versatile workhorse for UK food-processing nitrogen blanketing lines, pharmaceutical packaging, and medium-scale welding gas supply systems demanding consistent purity at moderate output.
OXYGENNITROGEN
Need a specific model quote or technical data sheet for your UK procurement process?
How These Compressors Work: Operating Principle
All nine models in this range are reciprocating piston-type compressors — a configuration that has proven uniquely suited to process gas applications where high differential pressure, volumetric efficiency, and gas purity are non-negotiable. Unlike rotary-screw or centrifugal machines, reciprocating designs allow each stage to be individually optimised for the specific inlet-to-discharge pressure ratio, enabling the wide pressure range — from sub-bar oxygen booster duty all the way to 100-bar high-pressure cylinder filling — represented across this product family.
The core mechanism is a crankshaft-connecting rod-piston assembly contained within a splash-lubricated (or oil-free, depending on model and gas type) cast-iron or ductile-iron frame. For oxygen service — where hydrocarbon contamination from lubricating oil represents a serious ignition risk — oil-free cylinder designs with PTFE piston rings and carbon-filled guide bands are standard. Nitrogen and argon variants may use controlled oil-film lubrication with downstream oil-removal filtration trains, achieving outlet gas quality compatible with Grade 5 (99.999%) purity specifications when combined with appropriate purification columns.
Cooling is handled by a combination of water-cooled cylinder jackets and inter-stage coolers, keeping gas temperatures within safe limits between compression stages. This is especially critical in oxygen service, where adiabatic temperature rise must be controlled rigorously. The frame types — Z, L, M, D, P — differ primarily in the geometric arrangement of cylinders relative to the crankshaft: Z-type (opposed vertical columns), L-type (one horizontal, one vertical), M-type (full W-balance), D-type (horizontal opposed), and P-type (vertical single-column). Each arrangement offers different balancing characteristics, installation height requirements, and accessibility for maintenance — factors that every UK plant engineer will weigh against site-specific constraints.
Materials & Construction
Frame & Crankcase
High-grade grey cast iron (HT300) or ductile iron for high-load models; precision-bored to ISO 286 tolerances. Integral oil passages and main bearing housings for long bearing life.
Cylinders
Forged steel or nodular cast iron with hard chrome-plated bores. Oxygen models use oxygen-cleaned, degreased cylinder bores with no residual hydrocarbon contamination per EN 13780 standards.
Piston Rings & Seals
Virgin PTFE-filled carbon fibre rings for oil-free cylinders. Metallic piston rings (cast iron, chrome-molybdenum) for lubricated variants. All seals rated for the specified gas and pressure class.
Valves
Stainless steel 316L ring-plate or disc valves with inconel springs. Low differential pressure loss design optimises volumetric efficiency across the full pressure range from 0.1 to 25 MPa.
Connecting Rods & Crankshaft
Forged alloy steel crankshafts, dynamically balanced. Drop-forged steel connecting rods with replaceable bearing inserts. Designed for 100,000+ operating hours between major overhauls under standard service conditions.
Coolers
Shell-and-tube inter-stage and after-coolers in stainless steel or copper alloy, depending on process gas. Water-cooled cylinder jackets as standard; air-cooled variants available on request for remote UK sites.
Technical Specifications — General Range
These are range-wide parameters. For the exact datasheet of any individual model (3ZW-1.2/7-100, 4ZW-84/30, 4MW-93/35, DW-40/4.9-10, ZW-30/7-12, ZW-2.5/3, 3ZW-47/15, LW-42/8, ZW-6/8), please email [email protected].
| Parameter | Specification / Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Discharge Flow (Single Unit) | 50 – 20,000 Nm³/h | Multiple units may be paralleled for higher total flow |
| Process Gas | O₂, N₂, Ar, NH₃ and selected special gases | Model-specific — confirm when enquiring |
| Discharge Pressure | 0.1 – 25.00 MPa (1 – 250 bar) | Stage count and cylinder sizing vary by model |
| Motor Power | 7.5 – 3,000 kW | IE3 efficiency class motors standard; VFD option available |
| Piston Force | 1.5 – 150 T | Determines frame/crankshaft sizing and service intervals |
| Frame Types | Z, L, M, D, P | See model descriptions above for geometry details |
| Cylinder Lubrication | Oil-free (O₂ / high-purity gas) or oil-lubricated | Crankcase always splash-lubricated |
| Cooling System | Water-cooled (standard) / Air-cooled (option) | Inter-stage coolers and after-coolers included |
| Inlet Gas Temperature | -10°C to +40°C (ambient range) | Suitable for UK climate, outdoor or indoor installation |
| Electrical Standards | IEC/CE; ATEX Zone 2 option for NH₃ | UK BS EN compliance documentation available |
| Control System | PLC with HMI touchscreen, remote I/O (Modbus/Profibus option) | SCADA integration available; DCS-ready |
Why These Compressors Perform Where Others Fall Short
🔒
Gas-Safe Design from Cylinder to Valve
Every oxygen-service model undergoes oxygen-cleaning procedures and particle count verification before leaving the factory — a non-negotiable step that rules out the catastrophic risk of oxygen ignition in hydrocarbon-contaminated pipework.
🔧
Accessible Maintenance Architecture
Cylinders are top-entry accessible. Valve cartridges can be changed in under 30 minutes per cylinder without removing the machine from its baseplate. For UK industrial operators running 24/7 production schedules, this translates directly to money kept in the operating budget.
📊
Wide Pressure Range in a Single Product Family
Whether your process requires 3-bar nitrogen blanketing or 100-bar high-pressure oxygen cylinder filling, this range covers it with purpose-matched models — no forcing a mid-range machine into an application it was not designed for.
⚡
Energy-Efficient Operation
Inter-stage cooling and optimised valve geometry keep isothermal efficiency high. For high-energy-cost environments like UK post-energy-crisis manufacturing, specifying the right compressor with proper stage design can cut annual electricity costs by 15–25% versus an oversized or underpowered alternative.
🏭
Multi-Gas Flexibility
Several models in this range are rated for dual-service oxygen/nitrogen operation. This matters to air separation plant operators who periodically switch production between products based on market demand — particularly relevant in the UK where industrial gas pricing fluctuates seasonally.
🌐
Full Lifecycle Support
Spare parts — rings, valves, bearings, packing sets — are available on long-term supply agreements. Factory technicians are available for remote commissioning support via video link, and on-site commissioning can be arranged for UK installations with appropriate notice.
Application Scenarios Across UK Industries
From Teesside petrochemicals to Scottish food processing — where these compressors are working today
Steel & Metals
Oxygen-enriched combustion for electric arc furnaces; nitrogen purging of continuous casting lines. High-flow models like 4MW-93/35 serve integrated steelworks in Wales and the Midlands.
Medical & Healthcare
Cylinder filling and manifold supply for NHS facilities; oxygen booster compressors for medical-grade storage banks. ZW and 3ZW models serve regional medical gas producers in England and Scotland.
Food & Beverage
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) nitrogen supply; carbonation CO₂ precursor compression. ZW-6/8 and ZW-2.5/3 operate in UK packaging facilities requiring consistent, uninterrupted gas supply.
Chemical & Petrochemical
Ammonia refrigeration circuits; nitrogen blanketing for flammable liquid storage; oxygen supply for partial oxidation reactors. Teesside chemical complexes represent a key UK application cluster.
Welding & Fabrication
High-pressure oxygen for cutting and welding; argon shielding gas for TIG and plasma arc processes. The 3ZW-47/15 is regularly specified by UK welding gas distributors building out argon cylinder-filling infrastructure.
Also Available: Variable Frequency Screw Air Compressors
For general plant air supply and instrument air applications running alongside your gas compression systems, our permanent magnet VFD screw compressors are a natural complement — delivering energy savings of up to 35% versus fixed-speed machines under variable demand.
CM110PVF Permanent Magnet Variable Frequency Screw Air Compressor
110 kW PM-motor driven, variable frequency controlled screw air compressor. High efficiency at part-load, quiet operation, and low maintenance interval. Suited for UK factories requiring reliable compressed air at reduced energy cost.
CM55PVF Permanent Magnet Variable Frequency Air Compressor
55 kW integrated PM-VFD screw compressor with compact all-in-one cabinet design. Ideal for medium-scale manufacturing, workshop air supply, and as a backup air source in larger facilities requiring redundancy.
Manufacturing Capability & Custom Engineering
Our production facility operates under ISO 9001:2015 quality management, with dedicated production lines for process gas compressors. The factory houses a full range of machining centres — horizontal boring, CNC turning, dynamic balancing, and pressure-testing rigs rated to 350 bar — giving us the capability to manufacture and test completely in-house without relying on subcontract critical components.
Customisation is a core part of what we do, not an afterthought. If your air separation plant has non-standard inlet conditions, space constraints that require a modified baseframe, or specific connection standards required by your UK plant’s existing piping (ASME, BS EN, or DIN flanges), our engineering team works directly with your process engineers to produce a compressor package that fits your system, not the other way around. We regularly deliver bespoke skid-mounted compressor packages complete with inter-stage coolers, knockout drums, valving, and control panels — fully factory-tested before despatch to UK customers. Lead times for standard configurations run 10–14 weeks; custom packages are quoted individually.
Customer Success Cases
Real applications. Measurable results. Verified by operators.
CASE STUDY · TEESSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM · PETROCHEMICAL
Refinery Nitrogen Purging System Upgrade — Northeast England
A major UK refinery on Teesside needed to upgrade its nitrogen purging capacity following a plant expansion that increased reactor vessel volume by 40%. Their existing compressor was undersized for the new duty and was causing extended purge cycle times that added over 4 hours to scheduled maintenance shutdowns. Two units of LW-42/8 oxygen/nitrogen compressors were specified in a parallel arrangement, delivering a combined 84 Nm³/min at 8 bar — enough to meet the new demand with a 20% operating margin held in reserve.
Following commissioning, the plant engineering team reported that scheduled maintenance shutdown duration was reduced by 3.5 hours per cycle. The new compressors operated without unscheduled downtime through the first 18 months of service, including through a harsh North Sea winter during which ambient temperatures dropped to -7°C — within the operating specification and handled without auxiliary heating equipment.
Result: Shutdown cycle shortened by 3.5 hrs/event · 18 months zero unscheduled downtime · Operating at -7°C without ancillary heating
Client Testimonials
“
We’ve run the ZW-30/7-12 in our oxygen filling station for two years now. The valve maintenance cycle is genuinely quick — our maintenance fitter can turn a cylinder valve change in the time it used to take just to set up with the old supplier’s machine. No safety incidents. Clean gas. That’s what matters in this business.
— Plant Engineering Manager, Medical Gas Supplier
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
“
The factory came back with a modified baseframe within ten days of us sending the plant drawings. That kind of turnaround on custom work is unusual. The 4ZW-84/30 is installed and running in a space-constrained plant room where nothing off-the-shelf would have fitted. Build quality is solid — what you’d expect from a machine at this price point.
— Procurement Director, Industrial Gas Producer
West Midlands, United Kingdom
“
Our argon recovery circuit uses the 3ZW-47/15. Purity at the outlet is consistently meeting our 99.997% Ar spec after the downstream purifier. Energy consumption over the first year was tracking 8% below the vendor’s quoted figure — which is a pleasant surprise. We’ll be ordering a second unit for the sister plant in Aberdeen next quarter.
— Process Engineer, Specialty Gas Division
Scotland, United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical lead time for an oxygen compressor delivery to a UK industrial site, and do you offer expedited supply?
Standard configurations from our gas compressor range are typically ready for shipment within 10 to 14 weeks from order confirmation and deposit receipt. For UK customers with urgent project timelines — particularly those facing regulatory compliance deadlines or plant commissioning pressure — we do hold a limited inventory of sub-assemblies that can reduce lead time on certain Z-type and LW-series models. Please email [email protected] with your required delivery date and we will confirm availability against current production status.
How much does an oxygen or nitrogen compressor for an air separation plant typically cost in the UK, and what factors affect the price?
Pricing for this range varies significantly based on model, pressure rating, motor power, lubrication type, and any customisation requirements. A compact ZW-2.5/3 unit represents a considerably lower investment than a fully-skidded 4MW-93/35 package with PLC control and inter-stage cooling. UK import duty, freight, and installation are separate cost considerations. We do not publish list prices because each order is reviewed for specification accuracy before quotation — the last thing either party wants is a compressor that arrives on site and does not meet the duty specification. Accurate budgetary pricing is available within 48 hours of enquiry via [email protected].
Which compressor model is the best fit for a medium-scale UK medical gas oxygen cylinder filling station handling approximately 30 cylinders per shift?
For a medical oxygen cylinder filling application at that throughput, the ZW-30/7-12 or the 3ZW-1.2/7-100 are the most commonly specified models, depending on your storage buffer arrangement and whether you are boosting from a bulk liquid oxygen source or from a PSA/VPSA generator. The 3ZW-1.2/7-100 handles high inlet-to-discharge pressure ratios (7 bar in, 100 bar out) which is the typical profile for top-off filling of high-pressure medical cylinders. We can model the exact cycle time and recommend the appropriate unit once you share your cylinder bank volume and shift fill rate requirements.
Where can I find a reliable supplier of argon gas compressors in the United Kingdom who can also provide spare parts and after-sales technical support?
While we are a manufacturing supplier rather than a UK-stocked distributor, we work directly with UK engineering companies and end users throughout the procurement and commissioning process. Spare parts — including the critical wear items such as piston rings, valve plates, packing sets, and bearing kits — are available to ship from our warehouse with a typical 5–10 working day delivery to UK addresses via air freight. For the 3ZW-47/15 argon compressor specifically, we maintain a standing parts inventory due to consistent demand from UK specialty gas operators. Technical support is provided by email and video call from our engineering team, with on-site commissioning available by arrangement.
What pressure equipment regulations and safety certifications apply to these gas compressors when importing and operating them in the United Kingdom?
Post-Brexit, the UK applies its own Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1105), which are broadly aligned with the former EU PED 2014/68/EU. Our compressors are designed and tested to CE standards (applicable to EU customers) and we provide the technical documentation required for UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking upon request. For oxygen service, the relevant standard is EN 13445 for pressure vessels and EN 12300 / EN 13780 for oxygen-compatible cleanliness. An independent UK-based notified body can be engaged for third-party certification if your facility’s safety case or insurer requires it — this is something we regularly support.
How do I request a custom-engineered ammonia compressor quote for a UK fertiliser or cold storage facility with non-standard installation requirements?
The most efficient way to get a well-specified quotation is to email [email protected] with the following information: required suction pressure and temperature, required discharge pressure, volumetric flow at suction conditions (Nm³/h or kg/h), power supply voltage and frequency, available installation footprint dimensions, and any special requirements such as ATEX zone classification, noise limits (dB(A) at 1 m), or specific flange connection standards. Our engineering team will return a preliminary sizing recommendation and budgetary quote within 48–72 hours. For complex packages, a formal technical meeting via video call can be arranged at no charge.
Ready to Specify Your Gas Compressor?
Share your process data — gas type, flow, pressure, site location — and receive a model recommendation and budgetary quote within 48 hours. No obligation. UK enquiries welcome.
[email protected] · Response within 48 hours · edit by gzl