Self Contained Nitrogen Generators

What Are Self Contained Nitrogen Generators?

A self contained nitrogen generator allows you to produce your own nitrogen right at your facility, bypassing nitrogen cylinder delivery. You can either set it up to produce a continuous supply, or you can generate nitrogen on demand.
No matter your industry, a nitrogen generator can make life a lot easier—and the nitrogen generator will pay for itself with the amount of money you save on cylinders. Here is a closer look at the two main types of nitrogen generators available:

PSA Nitrogen Generators

A PSA nitrogen generator is a nitrogen generator that uses pressure swing adsorption to generate oxygen. Adsorption is the process of separating molecules, so a PSA nitrogen generator literally separates the nitrogen from the oxygen in the air. The oxygen molecules are smaller, so the sieve material absorbs them, and the nitrogen molecules are larger, so they continue on into the nitrogen receiver. A PSA nitrogen generator is an excellent, economical way to have nitrogen on demand. It provides reliable year-to-year gas costs and gives you a rapid return on your investment.

Membrane Nitrogen Generators

A membrane nitrogen generator is a fully functional, ready-to-go system. We build it according to your exact specifications and then ship it to you ready to put online. A membrane nitrogen generator can be customized to be compatible with any compression equipment, making it ideal for a wide array of applications.
A membrane nitrogen generator works by feeding pressurized air into hollow fibers. These fibers contain small holes that force the oxygen molecules to exit the system when under pressure. Any CO2 and water vapor in the air will also permeate through the walls of the fibers. However, nitrogen molecules are larger and they are extremely dry, so they do not easily saturate into the fibers. This means they are the only particles that survive the membranes). These nitrogen particles are then collected for you to use. If you require a lower purity of nitrogen, you simply need to decrease the speed at which the air is dispersed. Since there are no moving parts in membrane nitrogen generators, they are very low maintenance, and they are able to produce a constant nitrogen supply.
To learn more about our self contained nitrogen generators, or to find out which one will work the best for your application, contact us today.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/by

How Much Nitrogen Gas Should I Add for Increased Shelf Life of Food?

Nitrogen is one of the most popular gases for modified atmosphere packaging. By displacing the oxygen within your food packaging, nitrogen is able to dramatically increase the shelf life of your food products—meaning less waste and happier customers.

How Nitrogen Extends Shelf Life

Modified atmosphere packaging is an important part of food preservation because it eliminates the oxygen and replaces it with nitrogen. As you know, bacteria, such as mold and mildew, rely on oxygen to grow. When you remove the oxygen, your food will last longer on the shelf. Nitrogen for food preservation is also relevant because it fills up every pocket of space within your packaging, so there is nowhere for moisture to get in. A modified atmosphere packaging machine allows you to easily replace the oxygen with nitrogen right onsite, greatly reducing the amount of waste your company has and saving your company thousands of dollars per year.

Determining How Much Nitrogen for Food Preservation

When it comes to determining how much nitrogen for food preservation, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. There are many factors that go into play with modified atmosphere packaging, but in general, these are the five characteristics you need to consider:

  • The Natural Shelf Life – Foods that go bad quickly will obviously require more nitrogen for food preservation than shelf-stable foods like honey or dried beans.
  • The Type of Gas Mixture – Nitrogen is not the only gas used in modified atmosphere packaging. In fact, UNIDO has compiled some recommended gas mixtures for different types of foods. Those with the highest moisture contents, such as fresh pasta or pastries, will usually use 99-99.9% nitrogen, while others use a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
  • The Type of Packaging – How heavy duty is the material you are using? Is it porous and prone to punctures, or solid and dense? If there is a chance of any gas escaping, you need to keep that in mind when determining how much nitrogen you need when using a modified atmosphere packaging machine.
  • The Storage Conditions – Is your product going to be stored on an open shelf, or will it be kept refrigerated or frozen? Foods stored at room temperature generally need more nitrogen.

Essentially, the amount of nitrogen that you will require for modified atmosphere packaging is extremely variable. Oftentimes, a trial and error process is necessary to figure out what will give your food an optimal shelf life. With an onsite nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems, you can have the nitrogen you need, when you need it, making modified atmosphere packaging easier than ever. To learn more about nitrogen for food preservation, contact us now.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/by