Common Questions to Consider When Purchasing a Nitrogen Generator for Your Food Packaging Operation

If you operate a food packaging business, nitrogen likely plays a pivotal role in the preservation of the products you create. A nitrogen generator could improve your overhead costs by providing an on-demand supply of high-purity gas. Whether you need nitrogen to preserve or package food products, On Site Gas Systems offers a variety of top-of-the-line systems to suit your business’ needs.
To help you determine which system best suits your unique specifications, we’re breaking down three common questions to consider when purchasing a nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems.

Question 1: Do Your Generators Produce Nitrogen That Meets the Specification for Food-Grade Nitrogen?

Nitrogen is one of the most in-demand industrial substances for the food production sector. From the moment food is harvested, spoilage begins. Therefore, it’s essential to preserve not only raw materials like crops and meat products but also finished products that use those fresh ingredients.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) places strict regulations on food product manufacturing, including the equipment used in food processing. On Site Gas Systems provides turnkey nitrogen generation systems that produce  up to 99.9995 percent pure nitrogen, and meets current good manufacturing practices to qualify as food-grade.

Question 2: Are Your Generators Built with Materials That Meet the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 – Food and Drugs?

The FDA Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Volume 3, Section 184.1540 covers nitrogen for use in food product manufacturing. This section of Title 21 explains that nitrogen is safe and acceptable for use in food manufacturing as long as the production and storage of the gas meet current good manufacturing practices. To comply with these standards, On Site Gas Systems provides nitrogen generators built from reliable, rigorously tested materials. We are also dedicated to maintaining a research and development practice that ensures our products remain up to date with federal regulations at all times.
An on-site nitrogen generator can provide a lasting solution for manufacturers who require reliable, food-grade nitrogen without the need for repeat cylinder or liquid deliveries. Ultimately, a nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems is a cleaner, more efficient, and more cost-effective solution for nitrogen use in food packaging operations.

Question 3: Do Your Generators Meet the European Industrial Gas Association’s Containment Specifications Pertaining to Gas Approved for Use as a Food Additive E941?

When gasses like nitrogen, come in contact with food it is considered a  food additive in the food packaging process, and must meet all applicable regulations pertaining to food-grade additives. The European Industrial Gas Association sets firm guidelines for every type of gas used as a food additive, including food additive E941 (nitrogen). Specifically, the association has set maximum contaminant levels acceptable for a gas to be considered food grade. This high purity threshold ensures that any gas used as a food product additive will not leave a residue behind that may interfere with consumer use or health.  The nitrogen produced from an On Site gas System’s Nitrogen Generator has been independently tested by an accredited scientific analysis laboratory to confirm it complies with containment levels well below EIGA’s specified maximum containments.
On Site Gas Systems provides a variety of nitrogen generators capable of producing up to 99.9995 percent purity levels on demand. If your manufacturing operation must meet European Industrial Gas Association standards and uses nitrogen as food additive E941, you can rest assured that our generators will help you maintain purity levels that meet these strict regulations.

Enhance Your Food Packaging Operation with a Nitrogen Generator from On Site Gas Systems

Your food packaging business can depend on On Site Gas Systems nitrogen generators to provide a steady supply of high-purity nitrogen whenever you need it. Contact us today for more information about our nitrogen generators and how they can be used to enhance food packaging operations.

Never Run Out of Nitrogen with a Nitrogen Generator from On Site Gas

Nitrogen generators from On Site Gas provide a consistent supply of nitrogen drawn from the surrounding atmosphere. Because the air we breathe is almost 80 percent nitrogen, taking advantage of it can be an incredibly cost-effective solution for organizations that rely on the gas for their everyday operations. That’s why On Site Gas offers high-quality nitrogen generators that extract the gas from the surrounding air. This results in a near-constant supply of nitrogen with a purity level of up to 99.9995 percent.
Below, we’re discussing the benefits of a nitrogen generator, including how it can be used to meet your organization’s daily demand.

High-Quality Nitrogen, Whenever You Need It

Conventional nitrogen use requires timely delivery of replacement cylinders or liquid delivery’s. Many organizations that rely on liquid nitrogen for their everyday operations partner with service providers who deliver and install new nitrogen dewers when their current supply runs out or delivery bulk liquid nitrogen. This method also requires the handling of dewers, which ultimately results in more overhead. Nitrogen generators from On Site Gas, by comparison, virtually eliminate the need for Dewer or liquid  delivery and cuts costs downtremendously.
A nitrogen generator provides as much nitrogen as needed in a continuous stream, on-demand. On Site Gas helps customers configure their nitrogen generator systems to their exact needs and preferences. If your enterprise uses nitrogen for everyday operations, you likely need an uninterrupted supply of high-quality gas from a reliable source. Nitrogen generators from On Site Gas can cut the need for liquid delivery, even allowing your team to fill your own cylinders as needed.

On Site Gas Nitrogen Filling Systems

If your organization relies on nitrogen cylinders, you might wonder whether a generator would be the best solution to meet your daily demand. Luckily, On Site Gas can provide a customized generator system complete with storage options. Nitrogen filling stations, for example, are easy for On Site Gas to install with any nitrogen generator system. By incorporating a filling station, you can use your generator to fill canisters at any time. That way, you’ll always have enough nitrogen on hand for your daily operations.
Filling your own cylinders dramatically cuts down on overhead and ultimately increases the long-term value of your nitrogen generator system. The best part about choosing an On Site Gas generator is that the system comes with virtually maintenance-free operation. Plus, our nitrogen container systems are easy to deploy for remote or stationary applications and provide a rapid return on investment.

Storing Nitrogen During Off-Hours to Meet Daily Demand

The main advantage of investing in an on-site nitrogen generator is that these systems can eliminate reliance on nitrogen canisters. While traditional nitrogen use typically involves frequent deliveries of fresh cylinders, a generator means you can enjoy high-quality nitrogen whenever you need it.
Ultimately, storing nitrogen off-hours is unnecessary for enterprises that invest in On Site Gas nitrogen generators. These systems provide consistent streams of nitrogen capable of reaching purity levels of 99.9995 percent. However, the integration of an On Site filling station can provide the means to store nitrogen off-hours for future use, adding another layer of reliability and value to a generator system.

Looking to Enhance Your Business Operations with On-Demand Nitrogen? On Site Gas Can Help

In short, a nitrogen generator system from On Site Gas will likely eliminate the need to store extra canisters to meet daily demands, as these systems create an uninterrupted supply of gas at your business location. However, On Site Gas makes it easy to configure a filling station integrated into a nitrogen generator for easy storage of extra cylinders. The option to produce and store additional nitrogen is always there when your organization chooses On Site Gas.
Ready to learn more about our products? Contact On Site Gas today!

Developing a Preventive Maintenance Plan for Your Nitrogen Generator

Nitrogen generators are easy to use and require minimal upkeep. However, we strongly suggest that you follow a preventive maintenance plan for keeping nitrogen generating systems running efficiently. As with any of your business’s valuable equipment, maintenance checks are crucial. A simple inspection will ensure that things continue to operate as smoothly down the road as they did at the onset of your purchase.  Every On Site Gas Systems Nitrogen Generator comes with a complete owners manual that will include the recommended maintenance schedule specific to your system.  Please follow this schedule to ensure your Nitrogen Generator is properly maintained at all times.

How to Do a Preventative Checkup for Your Generator

Before you begin maintenance procedures on your generator, you need to verify that the power supply has been turned off.  Then you should start by cleaning the equipment with a damp cloth (steering clear of any electrical components). After wiping the machine down, check the status indicators and look for leaks and inlet air quality by inspecting the control panel on the front of your generator. Your control panel offers status details and indicators to make this step easy.
You should also change your filters regularly to ensure that your system works at peak performance. This step varies depending on how often you use your generator and the type of filters the system requires. Typically, you only need to replace carbon filters once a year, but you should change coalescing filters every six months. Meanwhile, particulate filters require replacement every three months.
One last thing to keep in mind is your T70X-V or N-1100 analyzer. You should replace the analyzer sensor immediately if you have not changed it in over a year. Valve maintenance and Zirconia oxygen sensor replacement, on the other hand, are generally necessary every three years. After replacing the necessary maintenance items, you can restart your generator according to the appropriate start-up procedure.
Although all systems vary, it’s typically best to conduct a preventative maintenance check-up every six months. However, you should check your system’s specific manual to verify the recommended operating procedures.

How to Know When Your Generator Needs Service

While inspecting your generator system, it’s important to look for any signs that indicate a need for service from a professional technician. These may include:

  • Water or oil within the filter housings.
  • Abnormal sounds or unusual processes during operation.
  • Changes in your purity level.

Regardless of how big or small the problem may seem, it’s always best to have anything out of the ordinary checked out before it leads to serious damage. Luckily, the experts at On Site Gas are here to help you address a variety of generator needs.

Need Assistance with Your Maintenance Plan? Reach out to On Site Gas

If you need assistance completing your generator maintenance process, On Site Gas can help. We offer Annual Maintenance Program Kits that contain all of the replacement filters your system needs. We also provide a variety of services and spare parts upon request. Plus, if you would like to learn how to maintain and operate your nitrogen generator system, we offer training classes at our Newington, CT office, as well as at your business location.
A preventive maintenance plan is a simple step in ensuring that your nitrogen generator will continue to meet your needs for years to come. For more information about nitrogen generator maintenance, contact us today!

The POGS 33 Unit in Action: How Our Oxygen Generators Helped Save Lives During Samoa’s 2019 Measles Outbreak

On December 29th, 2019, the Samoan government lifted a six-week-long state of emergency that was put in place in response to a deadly measles outbreak. In fact, the epidemic was so severe that the government was forced to shut down all public services for two days in early December.
On Site Gas, in conjunction with one of our partners in Australia, worked to help stop the outbreak by deploying a portable oxygen generator system (POGS) through the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Read on to learn more about how our oxygen generators were used to combat this epidemic.

The Global Measles Resurgence

For decades, measles was widely believed to have been nearly eradicated across the globe. However, in the past few years, many industrialized nations and third world countries have seen a resurgence in the disease.
This highly contagious diseases, known for its rash of flat red spots, can lead to death without prompt and aggressive treatment. In fact, if left untreated, one out of 20 children will contract pneumonia, and one out of 1000 will develop encephalitis (also known as swelling of the brain). This complication often leads to convulsions, loss of hearing, developmental issues, and more.

Samoa’s Measles Epidemic

In early December, the Samoan government began marking unvaccinated households with red flags in an effort to control the measles outbreak, which would go on to infect 5,600 people (with 81 fatalities). On December 5th and 6th, the government shut down public services to focus all attention and resources on the epidemic. The shutdown was also part of a vaccination campaign, which provided immunizations for more than 58,000 people and pushed the country’s vaccination rates towards 95 percent.

Our POGS Unit’s Lifesaving Technology

The POGS 33 unit, an FDA-approved portable generator that delivers 30 liters of oxygen per minute, was deployed to Samoa to help combat the measles epidemic. The system’s primary function is to provide medical oxygen to remote locations and harsh environments. It’s self-contained, easily portable, and requires little to no maintenance, making it an effective tool for use during emergencies. Plus, the unit’s generators can be operated independently or in multiple combinations to provide unlimited oxygen as needed.
On Site Gas’ POGS 33 unit is ideal for field hospitals, as it requires just four people to carry it to its destination. Once set up, the system can be used to fill cylinders, operate medical equipment, and more. Our POGS units can be deployed quickly and easily, without the need for heavy equipment or liquid oxygen deliveries. This is essential for emergencies and other dire situations where time is of the essence.

On Site Gas: A Trusted Choice for Portable Oxygen Generators

Over the years, On Site Gas has built a reputation as a leading source for oxygen generators for a variety of applications. In fact, several US government agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have relied on our equipment for disaster relief and emergency preparedness. On Site Gas generators have even served military field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. The latest deployment to the island of Samoa is sure to save countless lives and aid in the effort to rein in the deadly measles virus.
For more information about our portable oxygen generator systems, or to request a quote, contact On Site Gas today.