What Is a Nitrogen Generator Used For and Other Common Questions

At On Site Gas Systems, we get a lot of questions. Whether our customers are asking us, What does a nitrogen generator do? or How do you make nitrogen gas? we understand that our products can be a bit complicated. To make it simple to understand, here are the short answers to our most commonly asked questions in regards to nitrogen generators.

What Is a Nitrogen Generator Used For?

Nitrogen gas is used in a wide variety of industries, including everything from food packaging to mining, and all of these uses require a consistent supply of nitrogen gas. Many companies use nitrogen cylinders to get the gas they need; however, that is a huge hassle, is a never-ending expense, and can halt production if the delivery doesn’t go smoothly. So what is a nitrogen generator used for? It is used to create nitrogen gas on site so the supply is unlimited and on demand.

What Does a Nitrogen Generator Do?

Very similar to the first question, the answer to What does a nitrogen generator do is that it literally produces nitrogen gas on site at a wide array of facilities. We even have nitrogen generators that can be used in remote locations.

How Do You Produce Nitrogen Gas?/How Do You Make Nitrogen Gas?

These two questions are one in the same, so we will keep them together. In short, there are two ways to answer the question, How do you produce nitrogen gas? The first way is with a PSA nitrogen generator. In this method, the adsorption process is used to separate the nitrogen out of the ordinary air. The second way is with a membrane nitrogen generator. With this method of nitrogen production, the air is forced through hollow fibers that act as reverse filters. The oxygen, CO2, and water in the air are all small, so they will permeate through the fibers. However, the nitrogen molecules are larger, so they will be the only thing left behind.

What Is PSA Technology?

The final common question we receive is, What Is PSA Technology? Basically, PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption, and as mentioned above, the adsorption process literally means separating the nitrogen molecules from the oxygen molecules in the air. It works by filling a sieve-lined vessel with compressed air. The lining adsorbs the small oxygen molecules while the nitrogen molecules continue on into the receiver.
If you have any other questions about nitrogen gas generation that are not answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are the experts in nitrogen gas generators and we would love to help.

Nitro Brew, Nitro Beer, Nitro Pour? Just Give Me A Drink!

If you are a brewer or a bar, you know how important the mouth feel is to the beer you are making/serving. It is everything. When a beer has a better mouth feel, it is more enjoyable to drink and provides a more immersive experience. So it’s no surprise that nitro beer is becoming very popular. Here is a closer look at what a nitro beer is, as well as a discussion of the various terms it goes by, including nitro beer, nitro brew, and nitro pour.

What Is a Nitro Beer

As you know, traditional beer uses carbon dioxide to achieve the carbonation effect that beer is famous for. Recently, brewers have started integrating nitrogen into the brewing process instead of just carbon dioxide. Most commonly, a 70-30 ratio is used: 70% nitrogen to 30% carbon dioxide. The seemingly simple change in the gas usage has quite a big impact on the finished product. The reason is because nitrogen does not react as it dissolves in water like carbon dioxide does, which results in:

  • A smoother, fuller mouth feel. Many describe the feel more like a milkshake than a beer.
  • A larger, longer-lasting head. Instead of quickly dissolving after the beer is poured, a nitro brew will retain its impressive head.
  • A different appearance in the bubbles. Instead of the bubbles looking like they are rising, they look like they are falling, which is just fun to look at.

Nitro Brew, Nitro Beer, Nitro Pour?

Chances are, you have heard all three of the above terms used, but are they talking about different things? In short: no. A nitro brew, a nitro beer, and a nitro pour are all the same thing. However, you will need a specific faucet to pour a nitro beer, which is what some people may be referring to when the say nitro pour. Otherwise, all three terms merely mean a beer that was brewed with a majority of nitrogen gas.

Choose On Site Gas for Your Nitro Brew

While you can always get nitrogen gas delivered to your brewery or your bar every time you need it, there is a better way. With our Nitrogen Blast, you can make your own nitrogen whenever you need it. There is no dealing with the hassles of storing cylinders and arranging for deliveries, and there is no worrying about running out and having to stop production. At On Site Gas Systems, we are your partner in on site nitrogen gas. We have been helping brewers and bar owners make their job easier for nearly 30 years, and we would love to help you too. To learn more about what is nitro beer, contact us now.