Across industries, nitrogen is used for an array of processes, from food and beverage preservation to pharmaceutical drug packaging. While many ways to create and store nitrogen exist, nitrogen generators are a versatile and effective alternative to traditional methods that can be costly, bulky and unsafe. Discover more about nitrogen generators below to see how their benefits and applications might improve your business productivity and bottom line.
For more information, please visit Benyuan.
As the most commonly found gas in the atmosphere, nitrogen (N2) is readily available and can be used for a range of industrial purposes. Because nitrogen is an inert gas that reacts slowly with other substances, it’s ideal for situations where you need to prevent either slow or rapid oxidation. This gas is also often used in the food and beverage industries due to its colorless, tasteless and odorless nature.
A nitrogen generator separates nitrogen molecules from compressed air so that users can achieve a flow that is nearly 100% pure nitrogen. These machines can generate varying purity levels of nitrogen, allowing users to tailor their nitrogen supplies to their product or process needs.
A nitrogen generation system allows access to nitrogen on-site, which is excellent for companies that require nitrogen as an essential part of their business processes. Additionally, nitrogen generators don’t present the same safety risks as handling nitrogen cylinders, contributing to a safer work environment.
A nitrogen generator takes compressed air and separates the nitrogen and oxygen molecules found in the air from each other. This separation of nitrogen and oxygen results in a supply of pure nitrogen. The generator is connected to a compressor and is typically a membrane nitrogen generator or a pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator.
The nitrogen purity level you need will determine what type of nitrogen generator you should use. A membrane nitrogen generator works well for applications like inflating tires, which require low nitrogen purity. If you need high nitrogen purity for food and beverage processes, a pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator is a more suitable option.
Those working with nitrogen are likely aware of nitrogen cylinders as one of the most popular ways to supply the gas. How do nitrogen generators differ from cylinders? Why is a nitrogen generator system more suitable for certain applications?
If you’re considering a nitrogen gas generation system for your business but are debating whether it’s worth it, consider some of the most significant benefits of nitrogen generators:
Here are a few industry sectors where nitrogen generators are especially useful:
Depending on your industry, nitrogen could be essential to your daily processes, and a nitrogen generator provides a cost-effective, flexible and sustainable solution for nitrogen supplies.
If you’re interested in replacing your nitrogen cylinder supply with a quality nitrogen generator, Industrial Pneumatic Systems is here to help. For more than a decade, we’ve provided high-quality, customer-focused compressor sales and maintenance services. With our experienced team on your side, you can locate the most suitable machine for your needs and enjoy professional inspections and repairs to keep it in working order.
Nitrogen generators are an excellent option for on-demand generation of nitrogen on-site.
Their streamlined design and enhanced functionality allow businesses to produce high-purity nitrogen right where needed, minimizing dependency on external suppliers and reducing logistical hurdles.
But do you know how a nitrogen generator works?
In this article, we’ll explain how nitrogen generation technology functions and discuss the factors you must consider when implementing a nitrogen gas generation system to produce nitrogen for your facility.
A nitrogen generator is an efficient machine designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing setups.
At Chamco, we supply compact, plug-and-play nitrogen generators that utilize Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. PSA nitrogen generators employ adsorbent materials to filter out oxygen and other impurities, effectively allowing only nitrogen to pass through.
Nitrogen generators are available in sizes to suit businesses of all scales, from small to large, ensuring that even smaller operations can enjoy the benefits of consistent, on-site nitrogen supply.
These systems are versatile and customizable solutions that meet the specific requirements of different industries including laser facilities, food packaging, breweries, electronics, and pharmaceuticals, among others.
A nitrogen generation system requires a compressor and dryer for operation. If your existing compressor and dryer setup has sufficient capacity, you only need to incorporate the nitrogen generator and buffer tank to complete your setup, ensuring a streamlined process for high-purity nitrogen production.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Nitrogen Generator Supplier.
Source: PEAK Scientific
So let’s break it down. Here is the nitrogen generation process in a PSA nitrogen generation system.
The process starts by drawing in ambient air, which is composed of approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and trace gases from the surroundings.
The incoming air is compressed using an air compressor.
Compressed air undergoes pre-filtration before entering the PSA unit, and filters remove dust, moisture, and oil to protect the adsorbent material.
Compressed air is fed into the dual-pressure CMS vessels and undergoes a cycle of compression and decompression, during which oxygen is absorbed and nitrogen is passed downstream.
This not only delivers continuous nitrogen gas flow rates on a large scale, it also guards against abrasive breakdown, preventing gas supply contamination and ensuring an expected CMS lifespan of up to 20 years.
The process tank ensures there are no large spikes in demand from the system. The nitrogen-enriched gas from the adsorber is collected and supplied to the application via distribution lines at various points within the facility. The generator is sized specifically to the flow rate needed, and, much like water from a faucet, nitrogen is supplied as and when needed.
The purity of the nitrogen ranges from 95% to 99.%will depend on the specific adsorbent material and system design.
If you’re considering implementing an on-site nitrogen generation system in your facility, there are a few things to consider:
The purity level required depends on your industry. For example, a laboratory-based application may require ultra-high-purity nitrogen at 99.% purity, while a brewery or chemical plant that is just purging for safety to reduce flammability or reduce oxygen content might need 99.5% purity.
Again, this depends on the industry and the types of machines and processes within your facility. The current flow rate can easily be calculated by looking at your consumption and dividing it by the number of hours you’re operating.
Pressure is another parameter that varies depending on the industry and application. For instance, some nitrogen generators can deliver up to 130 psi, which suits various applications—from laboratory environments and food and beverage packaging to brewery purging processes. However, high-pressure applications, such as laser cutting, demand higher pressures, around 400 psi.
Compressed air is required to operate an on-site nitrogen generation system, so it’s important to decide whether you need to upgrade or change your existing air compressor to facilitate the addition of the nitrogen generator.
If your operation relies on a bulk tank, you might not have an air compressor if the nitrogen is fed directly into your machinery through a regulator that adjusts the pressure as needed. In such cases, integrating a nitrogen generator would necessitate acquiring an air compressor to provide the necessary compressed air for nitrogen production.
On the other hand, if your facility already has an air compressor, the key question becomes whether it has the spare capacity to support the additional demand from the nitrogen generator.
Understanding your current expenditure on nitrogen is crucial when considering an on-site nitrogen generation system, as it directly influences the decision-making process by highlighting the potential return on investment (ROI).
For instance, if you’re spending $45,000 annually on nitrogen and the complete system costs $140,000, the investment pays for itself in just under two years. Given the system’s lifespan of 15 to 20 years, the investment will offer significant long-term savings compared to a lower annual spend that may not justify the upfront cost of the generator.
At Chamco, we supply on-site nitrogen generator systems that use high-purity nitrogen gas generators from leading manufacturers. We also offer options to lease the nitrogen generation equipment, reducing your upfront costs.
We have the experience and expertise to design the accompanying air compressor and air treatment system to ensure continuous nitrogen purity and prolong the life of your nitrogen generation system. No matter your industry or facility, we offer customizable nitrogen purity and flow rates for your unique application.
For more information, please visit Nitrogen Roots Blower.