With the numerous advantages of producing nitrogen gas on-site, many industrial users are opting for nitrogen gas generators instead of relying on cylinders delivered by vendors.
For more information, please visit Benyuan.
Nitrogen generators guarantee a consistent supply of high-purity gas as needed, offering safer operation and greater cost-effectiveness due to their utilization of air as the raw material. But how do nitrogen generators work? Let’s dive in.
A nitrogen generator is a device that produces nitrogen gas on-site by separating it from the surrounding air. It ensures a continuous supply of high-purity nitrogen, eliminating the need for traditional cylinder delivery systems.
The vast majority of on-site nitrogen generation systems utilized in industries fall into two broad categories:
Let’s take a look at how they work:
The working principle of a PSA nitrogen generator is that under high pressures, nitrogen gas exhibits a strong affinity for adsorbent media such as Zeolite or Granular activated carbon (GAC). Moreover, various gases can be absorbed from a mixture at different rates, depending on the amount of pressure applied. When the pressure is lowered, the gas is desorbed.
A typical PSA generator set-up comprises two towers – one for absorption and the other for regeneration. Air coming from a compressor enters the absorption tower and contacts the adsorbent which inhibits the nitrogen gas and allows oxygen, carbon dioxide, water molecules, and impurities to pass through. To recover the absorbed N2, we simply reduce the pressure. At any given time, while the adsorption tower is separating the gas, the other is in regeneration mode.
PSA type nitrogen generators are used extensively in food and beverage packaging, electronics manufacturing, chemical industries, medical facilities, wastewater treatment plants and more to separate high-purity nitrogen gas from a compressed air stream.
Nitrogen purity using the PSA technique can be up to 99.999%, depending on the efficiency of the adsorbent and reliability of the overall system.
Nitrogen membrane technology is another efficient alternative to PSA nitrogen systems. It utilizes a high-selectivity membrane for nitrogen gas separation. The material is a semi-permeable layer made of thousands of flexible, cylindrical filaments with pore sizes ranging from 0.03 to 10 microns.
To separate nitrogen gas, dry, compressed air is applied over the material which is housed in a cylindrical vessel (it is essential to use dehumidified air to prevent clogging of the membrane fibers). The membrane allows N2 to pass through but inhibits oxygen, water vapor, inert gases, and air-borne impurities. The selectivity of the membranes is highly dependent on pore size. Membrane type nitrogen generators can generate nitrogen gas with purities up to 99.95% per volume.
NiGen offers on-site nitrogen generators suitable for reliable operation in most industrial settings.
Pressure swing absorption and membrane nitrogen generators are reliable systems capable of producing high-purity (up to 99% per volume) nitrogen gas. The main difference is in the mode of operation (PSA systems utilize adsorbents while membrane systems utilize hollow fiber membranes). Industrial users can choose from these two options based on cost considerations, quality, and efficiency.
NiGen offers both skid-mounted membrane nitrogen and PSA generation systems for industry. For short-term use, consider one of our nitrogen generator rentals.
Below are some benefits of using PSA and membrane nitrogen generators.
Generating nitrogen on-site saves industrial users from operational downtime because of nitrogen gas needs. Downtime due to logistics issues with trucking compressed nitrogen gas cylinders from vendor locations incurs huge time and financial losses for industrial users every year. In contrast, having an on-demand nitrogen generation system in place ensures that you have a 24-hour supply of high-purity gas for your processes.
Want more information on Nitrogen Generator Supplier? Feel free to contact us.
Generating nitrogen on-site proves more cost-effective than purchasing it from vendors, primarily due to savings on transportation and storage costs. This cost advantage is particularly pronounced for membrane nitrogen generators compared to PSA systems. Transporting nitrogen gas between locations necessitates the involvement of internal logistics teams or external trucking companies, which charge for freight services.
Additionally, industrial operators may need to allocate space for storage facilities on-site, subjecting their businesses to compliance with storage standards for compressed cylinders. There’s also a risk of product loss during transit, especially if temperatures fluctuate. NiGen offers high-purity on-site nitrogen generators for rent at competitive rates within the industry.
On-site nitrogen gas generation systems offer enhanced safety compared to nitrogen gas from cylinders. Leaks from damaged cylinders can release toxic levels of nitrogen, especially in confined spaces. Utilizing PSA or membrane filtration systems reduces the need for cylinder storage, minimizing associated risks.
NiGen’s high-purity on-site nitrogen generators provide a reliable and cost-effective solution, ensuring uninterrupted operations and enhanced safety. Contact us today to learn more about how our nitrogen generation systems can benefit your business.
Since , NiGen has been at the forefront of cutting-edge design and manufacture of on-site nitrogen generation systems. In addition to permanent sales, we offer industrial air equipment rentals to a variety of industries. Additionally, we provide field and pipeline maintenance services for industrial and O&G users.
Fortunately, nitrogen is available in abundance, making up most of the air we breathe. But that does not mean that it is ready for use in all of the aforementioned industrial applications as well as many others. Nitrogen can be obtained in three ways. Companies can either lease an on-site nitrogen tank, have the gas delivered in high-pressure bottles, or generate their own. Many businesses quickly realize that the first two options, which rely on a third-party supplier, are inconvenient, inefficient and costly. Fortunately, there are ways for them to generate their own nitrogen and control the amount, purity and pressure for any application – and guarantee that they have an endless supply of nitrogen available around the clock.
Thus, generating nitrogen in-house enhances production flexibility and, since there is no third-party supplier involved, it eliminates constant order processing, refills and delivery costs, and frees up space otherwise needed to store nitrogen bottles.
Essentially, this is how a nitrogen generator works: it separates nitrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules within compressed air, resulting in a purified supply of nitrogen. Generating nitrogen can be done with a membrane nitrogen generator or a PSA (pressure swing adsorption) nitrogen generator connected to a compressor. But which technology to use? Well, it depends on the nitrogen quality you require. If, for example, you just need to inflate tires or use nitrogen to prevent/suppress fires, then a low nitrogen purity level of 90-99% and a membrane nitrogen generator will suffice. However, a PSA nitrogen generator is required when you have to achieve very high purities of 99.999% or 10 PPM (parts per million) and even higher – for example in the food industry or for plastic molding.
In addition to allowing companies to control how much nitrogen they want to produce with how much pressure and which degree of purity, generating the gas themselves has other benefits. They are no longer subject to price fluctuations on the market, save transport costs, and prevent delays. In addition, businesses generating their own nitrogen do not have to face the safety hazard that come with handling high-pressure cylinders, they incur no waste related to boil-off losses or have to return high pressure bottles that can never be fully emptied. Over time, the initial investment for a nitrogen generator pays off because operating costs are kept significantly lower compared to getting nitrogen from a third party.
To achieve high nitrogen purity, molecules are separated within a clean, dry compressed air stream. A PSA nitrogen generator allows you to do this in-house.
Companies that generate their own nitrogen in-house with a nitrogen gas generator enhance production flexibility by ensuring they have the nitrogen they need, at the level of purity they need, when they need it.
Pharmaceutical companies that require a reliable source of high purity nitrogen can benefit by generating their own nitrogen in-house to reduce cost while controlling quality and boosting efficiency
Manufacturers that require a reliable source of high purity nitrogen can benefit by generating their own nitrogen in-house to reduce cost while controlling quality and boosting efficiency
High-quality oil-free air and N2 boosters. Trouble-free and safe operation in all kinds of industries, even in the harshest conditions. Discover our complete range.
Air and gas treatment Compressor Technique NGM⁺ Air compressors Nitrogen generation systems Nitrogen and oxygen generation systems NGM
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Nitrogen Roots Blower. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.