What is a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generator?

Nitrogen gas has many uses in the chemical, food processing, pharmaceutical, and steel production industries. Nitrogen is an inert gas that’s present in large quantities in the atmosphere and air we breathe. It can prevent food, drink, and medication spoilage, which makes it very important to some of the conveniences of modern life.

With the rise of industries that require industrial shipping, chemical manufacturing, and food storage, nitrogen has become increasingly in demand. While there are many ways to acquire nitrogen, many businesses turn to nitrogen generators. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) generators are highly efficient nitrogen generators that produce high-purity nitrogen on site.

Here’s what to know.

What is a PSA N2 Generator?

A PSA nitrogen generator produces nitrogen through a process that starts when compressed air is passed through a combination of filters to remove oil and moisture, then the purified air is directed to adsorption vessels that contain carbon molecular sieve. The remaining moisture, carbon dioxide, and other impurities are adsorbed by the sieve material. At high pressures, the sieves also adsorb oxygen. The remaining nitrogen is produced at the desired purity and oxygen is vented back into the atmosphere.

How Does a PSA N2 Generator Compare to a Membrane Generator?

The way that a PSA N2 generator works is very different from the way a membrane generator works. The membrane generator works by forcing compressed air into thousands of hollow fibers. Elements of the air like oxygen and CO2 pass through the fibers differently than nitrogen, which is eventually separated out through the fibers, producing a stream of nitrogen out the other end.

Advantages of Nitrogen PSA Generators

PSA nitrogen generators have many benefits that draw industry professionals, especially when the generators are compared to nitrogen cylinders. Knowing the advantages of these generators can help you decide if a PSA generator is right for you.

24/7 Nitrogen Production

Nitrogen generators can work continuously, 24/7. Generators can be used to produce a nearly endless supply of nitrogen as needed. For many businesses, this is preferable to other options, like nitrogen cylinders. Whereas nitrogen cylinders are subject to delays due to interruptions in the supply chain, PSA nitrogen generators continue to work as long as they have power.

High-Quality Nitrogen

PSA nitrogen generators can produce high-purity nitrogen from the atmosphere. In fact, PSA nitrogen generators can produce up to 99.9995% pure nitrogen, which is useful for industries that require a high purity for their nitrogen content. The purity level that comes from nitrogen generators is also flexible, to meet the needs of the business.

Low Associated Costs

Nitrogen generators have a reasonable up-front cost, and then very low cost of operation thereafter. Maintenance and utilities to run the generators are overall a minimal expense. Nitrogen cylinders and bulk liquid, meanwhile, represent a large ongoing cost to the business.

With many applications using a PSA Nitrogen Generator will have operating costs of 10-20% of purchasing nitrogen cylinders or bulk nitrogen.

Reduced Environmental Footprint

Because PSA nitrogen generators are an on-site source of nitrogen gas requiring little utility to run the generator, these generators have a small environmental footprint. For businesses seeking an environmentally friendly solution to their nitrogen needs, and for businesses that prioritize eco-friendly processes, PSA nitrogen generators are an excellent option.

This is especially true when the generators are compared to nitrogen cylinder delivery. Nitrogen cylinder delivery relies heavily on vehicles that use fossil fuels for transportation, thus increasing your business’s carbon footprint.

Need a PSA Nitrogen Generator for Your Business? Contact On Site Gas Systems

PSA nitrogen generators are a reliable source of nitrogen for businesses that need high-purity nitrogen. PSA nitrogen generation is also convenient and can produce nearly limitless quantities of nitrogen as needed.

On Site Gas Systems sells PSA nitrogen generators and membrane nitrogen generators for your industrial processes. With a strong reputation in the industry, we set a gold standard for gas-generating systems. We design and build gas systems on site to ensure that your business needs are met. To find out more about our PSA nitrogen generators as well as our membrane generators, contact the On Site Gas Systems team.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

How to Separate Nitrogen From Air Using N2 Separation Technologies

Nitrogen is a necessary part of many industrial processes. A variety of industries use nitrogen for their packaging and production, including the pharmaceutical industry, food and beverage industry, aerospace, metal production, and more.

Nitrogen is a major component of the air we breathe, accounting for a significant percentage. Specifically, 78% of the surrounding air consists of nitrogen, making it abundant and readily accessible. However, to utilize nitrogen effectively, we need to use methods to extract or separate it from the air.

Are you a business owner in search of the most effective process to remove nitrogen from the air? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the world of nitrogen separation from air. You’ll understand the ingenious methods employed by nitrogen generators and gain valuable insights to make an informed decision for your company. Here’s what to know about nitrogen separation from the air:

Methods for Separating Nitrogen from Air

There are many methods of separating nitrogen from air. Having this many options allows your company or organization to choose the method that best works for you.

Pressure Swing Adsorption

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generators, also called PSA nitrogen generators, are generators that use changing pressure to manipulate air in a tank with an adsorber inside. Oxygen molecules diffuse into the pore structure while nitrogen travels through the adsorber, creating a high-purity nitrogen gas on the other side.

PSA nitrogen generators are known for creating a very high-purity gas. They can range in size depending on the application need, and reach purities up to 99.9995%.

Membrane Nitrogen Generation

A membrane nitrogen generator is a device that forces air into a set of polymer fibers. When this happens, the nitrogen molecules are separated from the other molecules and are caught on the other side, creating a nitrogen gas. Nitrogen separation membrane generators have no moving parts.

While nitrogen separation membrane technology generators do not produce nitrogen that is quite as pure as PSA generators, they are perfect for many processes.

Benefits of Using a Nitrogen Generator

Nitrogen generators have many benefits. If your business relies on a steady supply of nitrogen either for packaging or for another industrial process, then a nitrogen generator can help ensure that your business has a supply of nitrogen 24/7.

  • Low cost after the initial investment. Nitrogen generators cost very little to run after the initial cost of investment.
  • Reliable. As long as you have a nitrogen generator, you have a supply of nitrogen to be used whenever nitrogen is required.
  • Space efficient. Nitrogen generators take up little space while creating a great output of nitrogen.
  • Help ensure steady production for your business. Having the materials that you need means that you can count on a steady production of your product.

How Nitrogen Generators Compare to Nitrogen Cylinders

Some businesses rely on nitrogen cylinders for their industrial processes. Renting nitrogen has many downsides. These cylinders are subject to any transportation and logistics challenges that the rental company may encounter. From traffic delays to supply chain problems, if your nitrogen cylinder rental vendor is having a problem, you likely are too.

In addition, cylinders represent an ongoing cost that can eventually exceed the cost of a nitrogen generator, and then some. Nitrogen cylinders take up a lot of space, depending on how many you rent at a time, and may need to be shuffled from one location within your warehouses to another, depending on what is convenient. Finally, these cylinders must be delivered and exchanged by vehicles that use fossil fuels. This means that cylinders are not the most environmentally friendly products.

Install Your Nitrogen Generator with On Site Gas Systems

On Site Gas Systems creates custom designs of gas-generating systems for businesses. We’re a reputable and trusted source for businesses that rely on a supply of nitrogen or oxygen for their industrial production. Want to know more about how On Site Gas Systems can produce a custom configuration nitrogen generating system for your business? Call today to speak with our professionals.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

How To Generate Nitrogen Using Membrane Technology

In industries where nitrogen is a vital component, businesses have various options for obtaining this essential gas. Whether through nitrogen generators or cylinder delivery, the choice of nitrogen delivery method greatly influences operational efficiency. While renting nitrogen cylinders may be suitable for some, companies with high nitrogen demands often turn to nitrogen generators for a consistent and dependable supply. Among the different types of nitrogen generators available, one popular option utilizes membrane technology.

Nitrogen membrane technology simplifies the process of obtaining nitrogen, making it highly accessible and efficient for numerous businesses. If you’re contemplating the adoption of a nitrogen membrane generator, understanding its functionality is key. This knowledge will enable you to evaluate whether this generator type aligns with your business requirements effectively.

In this article, we will explore the functionality of a nitrogen membrane generator, shedding light on its key features and benefits.

How N2 is Made from Nitrogen Technology

A membrane nitrogen generator works by pushing compressed air through the polymer fibers in a membrane module. The fibers have little holes that oxygen molecules fit through, but nitrogen molecules do not. When the process is finished, oxygen is expelled as waste gas, while nitrogen is captured and pumped out of the generator as a product.

Why Buy a Nitrogen Membrane Generator?

There are many reasons to buy membrane nitrogen generators. If you have been relying on nitrogen cylinders to be delivered to your business, then your business could benefit enormously from an onsite generator.

  • Eco-friendly. Your business nitrogen generator is more environmentally friendly than purchasing nitrogen cylinders, which must be delivered to your address via vehicles that consume fossil fuels.
  • Space efficient. Cylinders and other types of generators take up more space than membrane technology generators. For businesses that don’t have much room, this type of generator is very space efficient and easy to work around.
  • Reliable. Cylinders can be delayed in their delivery, depending on the logistics of the company you’re ordering from. When this happens, your entire production could be shut down while you’re waiting to find a new supplier, or waiting for your current vendor to deliver the promised cylinders. Sometimes starting contracts with a company can take time, and sometimes just finding a supplier who can make a delivery on time can be time-consuming. This stands in contrast to membrane technology generators, which are always on hand once they’re installed. If you need a regular supply of nitrogen that you can’t do without, then a membrane technology nitrogen generator can deliver that supply.
  • Easy to install. Compared to PSA nitrogen generators, membrane technology generators are relatively easy to install.
  • Low cost after the initial purchase. While a nitrogen generator does require an upfront investment, this investment is the only large cost. All other costs associated with nitrogen generation (maintenance and basic utility costs) are minimal.

What Industries Use Nitrogen Generators?

Many industries use nitrogen generators including the food industry, pharmaceuticals, beverages, chemicals, metal fabrication, automobile, aerospace, plastics, glass, and more. If you own a business in one of these industries, you may benefit from purchasing a nitrogen generator for your company.

How is a Generator Better than Nitrogen Cylinders?

Nitrogen generators cost less over time, and once installed, they’re always available for your purposes. Cylinders can be unreliable in their delivery and are subject to problems like traffic issues, supply chain problems, mechanical breakdowns, and other obstacles that can get in the way. Nitrogen cylinders also have an environmental impact, because they rely on delivery by vehicles that use fossil fuels. Ordering nitrogen cylinders requires ongoing administration of a contract with a cylinder company, while a nitrogen generator requires none of this work.

Why Buy a Nitrogen Membrane Generator from On Site Gas Systems

Want to know why you should buy a membrane technology nitrogen generator for your business? Talk to the professionals at On Site Gas Systems. If you require nitrogen generator installation, we design and build nitrogen-generating systems that service your plant for whatever your needs are.

If you’re not sure what type of nitrogen generator is best for your purposes, we can help you choose. Each type of generator has its own characteristics, and we can help you decide which type of generator is most likely to suit your needs. Call today to speak with one of our sales professionals and get started with your order.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

7 Everyday Products Made Using Nitrogen Generation Technology

Nitrogen is one of the most common elements on Earth. It makes up nearly 80% of the air we breathe and is found in a range of everyday items, from pharmaceuticals to tires.

Many companies that rely on nitrogen to make their products use generators to create their own supply. Generators have many advantages over nitrogen cylinders. If you’re starting a company that makes products using nitrogen, a nitrogen generator can save your business money, raise profits, and increase production. Below, you’ll see a list of seven everyday products that are made using nitrogen generators.

1. Packaging for Food and Beverages

Bacteria proliferate in the air, causing food to deteriorate in many ways. The longer food is exposed to air, the more its color, flavor, and scent change. Nitrogen flushing is the process of pushing air from packages containing food and replacing that air with nitrogen. Food in a nitrogen environment deteriorates more slowly.

Some packages, like ones that contain chips, are even filled with extra nitrogen before the bag is sealed. In this case, nitrogen creates a pillow around the chips, preventing them from being crushed.

2. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products

Just as air causes food to spoil, the same goes for medications and medical products. Pharmaceuticals that spoil when exposed to air are packaged in containers flushed with nitrogen. This prolongs the life of the medication and pushes back the expiration date.

Sterilized medical products are packaged in nitrogen environments for the same reasons: bacteria that grow in the air won’t grow as quickly in an all-nitrogen atmosphere. Nitrogen-filled packaging can keep sterilized medical products safe for longer.

3. Electronics

Nitrogen is used in electronics production in a variety of ways. Nitrogen allows the manufacturer to maintain a consistent temperature during production. Nitrogen also prevents oxidation – which can weaken the solder, an essential part of circuit boards.

4. Jewelry

Soldering is a common part of jewelry production. It is used to hold separate pieces of metal together, close metal chains, and more. Soldering that is performed in an oxygen-rich environment doesn’t last. Metals can become corroded and bonds are not as strong when the soldering is performed in an environment with a lot of oxygen. Ultimately, jewelry that is soldered in an environment with a lot of oxygen can fall apart.

To prevent this from happening, soldering is performed in a nitrogen-rich environment. The nitrogen creates a barrier between the solder and the oxygen, which ultimately can help keep the jewelry together.

5. Stainless Steel Production

Stainless steel uses nitrogen in the same way and for the same reasons that jewelry making needs nitrogen: nitrogen increases the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. When nitrogen is added to the steel manufacturing process, the result is stronger stainless steel which contains fewer impurities. Nitrogen’s role in stainless-steel production helps to prevent oxidation which can cause rust. In addition to a stronger product, the resulting surface is more receptive to applying powder paint coatings with proper welding surfaces.

6. Laser Cut Products

A laser can be used to cut materials for industrial or artistic purposes. Everything from signs to furniture can be cut by lasers. During the laser cutting process, nitrogen is used to protect the edge of the cut from discoloration. Discoloration can occur when the edge of the cut oxidizes before cooling. By enveloping the area with nitrogen, the oxidization is stopped.

7. Printed Products

During the printing process, nitrogen is used to dry ink. Nitrogen is used because it is a dry gas that does not retain moisture. This lack of humidity makes nitrogen the perfect product for drying inks and other materials.

Why Buy A Nitrogen Generator?

Whether you’re using nitrogen to produce one of the products listed above or for another reason, your business can benefit from adding a nitrogen generator.

Reliable supply. Unlike nitrogen cylinders, generators produce a steady supply of nitrogen that never needs replenishment from deliveries of new cylinders. Whereas cylinder rental can lead to supply chain problems if a supplier is behind on a shipment, generators are always available.

Lower cost. Nitrogen cylinders can also become expensive over time. Generators require one payment upfront, while nitrogen generators represent an ongoing cost. Given enough time, business owners spend more on cylinder rental than on nitrogen generation.

Eco friendly. Nitrogen generators don’t have the carbon footprint of cylinders, which must be delivered and then returned for replenishment on a regular basis.

Buy Your Nitrogen Generator from a Reputable Manufacturer

If your business manufactures products that require nitrogen, buy your nitrogen generator from a reputable manufacturer. Call On Site Gas Systems today to buy your nitrogen generator from a supplier you can trust.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

How Food-Grade Nitrogen Helps Package The Foods At Your Table

Proper packaging enables food to be bagged and transported long distances without spoiling. Often, food packaging is reliant on nitrogen for preservation purposes. Many foods are packaged with nitrogen inside, including dried fruits and chips. Whether you’re a curious consumer or starting a food packaging business, here’s what you need to know about food-grade nitrogen.

What Is the Benefit of Using Food Grade Nitrogen in Food Packaging?

Bacteria will grow and thrive on organic material when exposed to oxygen. When food is exposed for a long time to oxygen, it will deteriorate quickly. Its color, flavor, scent, and structural integrity will all begin to break down when exposed to oxygen. This means that any piece of food will spoil quickly if it is sealed into a package with oxygen.

When oxygen is eliminated from the package, the growth of bacteria slows down dramatically. To protect the food from spoilage, oxygen is replaced with nitrogen.

What Is Nitrogen Flushing?

Nitrogen flushing is a technique where nitrogen is blasted into a package containing food and oxygen. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen, then the package is sealed with the nitrogen inside.

Is Nitrogen Flushing Safe?

Nitrogen flushing is completely safe. Many foods are packaged this way. Nitrogen is a non-toxic gas that’s already found in the earth’s atmosphere. Nearly 80% of the air that we breathe is nitrogen. This odorless gas does not harm food, is safe to breathe once the package is opened, and prevents food from spoiling when it’s sealed in the bag.

Nitrogen Helps Protect Food In More Ways Than One

In addition to stopping food from going bad, nitrogen does one more thing to protect food when it’s sealed in the package. Delicate foods like chips are easily crushed in transit, but nitrogen creates a pillow inside the package to stop chips from being pulverized.

How to Produce Nitrogen Food Packaging

Generally speaking, there are two ways for food packaging companies to obtain nitrogen. They can either deliver their nitrogen through an outside source (often in cylinders) or generate their nitrogen with an on-site nitrogen generator.

Nitrogen cylinders have many disadvantages over nitrogen generators. Cylinders must be delivered regularly to keep up with production. When supply chain problems occur, cylinders may not be delivered according to the schedule. This can lead to a halt in production, resulting in lost profits. Cylinders can also take up a lot of space. In addition, pressurized cylinders can be dangerous when not properly handled.

Nitrogen generators, by contrast, produce a nearly limitless supply of nitrogen without any of the supply chain considerations that can occur with cylinder delivery. Nitrogen generators take up less space and, unlike pressurized cylinders, do not have the associated risks.

Benefits of an On-Site Nitrogen Generator for Food Packaging

There are many benefits of packaging food with nitrogen from a generator. Here’s what you should consider as you’re trying to decide whether to purchase a nitrogen generator for your food packaging business:

  • Cost-effective. Once the small initial investment is made for purchase and installation, nitrogen generators have very few associated costs. This is very different from nitrogen cylinders, which represent an ongoing cost. In fact, as the business increases production, the amount spent on cylinders also increases, naturally limiting business growth and taking a chunk from the profits that would otherwise be made.
  • Reliable. Compared to nitrogen cylinder delivery, a nitrogen generator is a reliable nitrogen source. Any time your business is dependent upon a third-party provider, you’re subject to whatever problems may affect that third-party provider. In the event that a cylinder delivery is delayed or even canceled, your business will be left searching for a new nitrogen source. By comparison, a nitrogen generator is always available and, if properly maintained, a consistent nitrogen source.
  • Energy-efficient and sustainable. Whereas nitrogen delivery from a third-party provider depends upon fossil fuels to deliver, a nitrogen generator is a clean and energy-efficient way to produce the nitrogen needed on-site.

Need Nitrogen for Your Food Packaging Company? Contact On Site Gas

On Site Gas is a trusted name in nitrogen generation. We provide quality nitrogen generators to businesses in food packaging, medical and chemical industries, and more. To learn more about obtaining a nitrogen generator for your food packaging company, contact us today.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

How Does Nitrogen Help Preserve Bottles Of Wine?

Wine-making is a centuries-old process that has evolved with modern innovations to improve the quality of the wine. Wine is sensitive to bacterial contamination, which can negatively impact the wine’s color, flavor, and quality. Chemical oxidation can take a similar toll on wine.

Nitrogen gas can help preserve wine by protecting it from oxidation. Whether you’re a winemaker or simply interested in how exposure to oxygen can affect wine, here’s what you need to know about using nitrogen as a wine preserver.

How a Wine Nitrogen Injector Can Improve Wine Quality

Nitrogen gas is a colorless, odorless gas that does not impact wine’s color or flavor. While nitrogen isn’t involved in traditional wine-making, it is used in modern industrial wine distilleries. It can be used for sparging, flushing, and blanketing wine.

Flushing

During the wine-making process, wine is moved through a series of vats and hoses from one fermentation stage to another. The more the wine is moved, the more oxygen it is exposed to. To prevent this exposure, the vats and hoses are flushed with nitrogen gas to eliminate oxygen and minimize the wine’s exposure.

Blanketing

The wine bottles are filled with nitrogen gas before and after being filled with wine. This displaces the oxygen.

Sparging

Wine can absorb oxygen through the various stages of fermentation. Just as oxygen impacts wine in the hoses and vats, it can also impact wine when absorbed directly into the liquid. To prevent this from happening, the wine is sparged with nitrogen gas, which means that nitrogen is bubbled through the wine to help the wine release oxygen.

When sparging with white wine, combining carbon dioxide and nitrogen is best. When sparging red wine, it’s acceptable to sparge with nitrogen alone.

Either way, sparging with nitrogen is a cost-effective and efficient way to prevent oxidation. Nitrogen has many benefits, including its low cost and its easy availability. Using a nitrogen generator for wine is one way to sparge wine inexpensively, as nitrogen generators produce a limitless and inexpensive nitrogen source.

How to Get Nitrogen Gas for Wine Production

Wine producers can get nitrogen from portable cylinders and nitrogen generators. Portable cylinders seem a natural choice because they have no high up-front costs. However, for any business with an ongoing need for nitrogen, cylinders have a variety of disadvantages.

Namely, nitrogen cylinders represent an ongoing cost that can add up over time. In addition, cylinders can take up a lot of space in a warehouse and, at times, may take up more space than at other times. Finding space for nitrogen cylinders can be a challenge. In addition, nitrogen cylinders can experience supply chain problems. At times, finding enough cylinders to continue production can be a challenge.

The alternative to nitrogen cylinders is a nitrogen generator. Nitrogen generators are preferable for businesses with an ongoing need for nitrogen. Compared to cylinders, nitrogen generators represent a higher upfront cost, but a lower one spread out over time. Once the purchase has been made, running and maintaining a generator costs relatively low.

In addition, generators can produce limitless and reliable amounts of nitrogen. Generators often take up less space than cylinders and never encounter the same supply chain problems that cylinders experience. Nitrogen generators are even more eco-friendly than cylinders because cylinders rely on fossil fuel-burning vehicles for transportation.

Need a Nitrogen Generator? On Site Gas Can Help

On Site Gas produces durable nitrogen generators. For more information about obtaining a nitrogen generator for your industrial wine facility, contact On Site Gas for a quote. We offer reputable gas generators for food and beverage preservation businesses, healthcare settings, and more.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

Nitrogen Tank Blanketing: What Is It And What Is The Purpose Of N2 Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing is a common manufacturing process that creates safe storage for certain liquids. Depending on what’s being stored in the container, nitrogen blanketing can prevent the stored item from degrading or deteriorating over time. Nitrogen blanketing is often used for storage tanks, and therefore, is sometimes called tank blanketing or tank padding.

What is Nitrogen Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing is the process of filling a storage tank with nitrogen to stop the storage material (usually a liquid) from coming into contact with oxygen. It can potentially mitigate the explosive condition created by having oxygen in the tank, and also extends the product life of the storage material.

Where is Nitrogen Blanketing Used?

Nitrogen blanketing is used in many industries, including:

Why Is Nitrogen Blanketing Important?

Nitrogen maintains stable conditions for the product being stored in the container. Whether it’s preventing discoloration, explosion, polymerization, or another unwanted change, nitrogen stops the stored product from interacting with nitrogen. Other benefits of nitrogen blanketing include:

  • Reduced potential for an explosion
  • Less chance of corrosion, which can lead to improved equipment life
  • Less chance of degradation of the stored item
  • Increased service life for the storage container itself, which could otherwise degrade due to the presence of liquid and oxygen
  • Increased safety due to the reduction of oxygen in the storage tank

What Size Storage Tanks Are Eligible?

Storage tanks of all sizes, from very large to very small, can be used for nitrogen blanketing.

What Is the Nitrogen Blanketing Procedure?

There are multiple ways of making nitrogen blanketing work. Most businesses that require this kind of work to be done have a nitrogen blanketing system. One way is through the use of a blanketing regulator, which helps control the pressure inside the tank.

With this system, the valve is mounted on top of the storage tank, and gas is pushed into the tank until the pressure inside the tank reaches a pre-determined point. When the pressure inside the tank is correct, the regulator stops the gas from entering the tank. Ultimately, the nitrogen blanket is created by decreasing the concentration of oxygen in the tank and increasing the amount of nitrogen.

What’s the Best Way to Get Nitrogen for Nitrogen Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing is an important storage practice in a variety of industries. If your business uses nitrogen blanketing as a method of storing chemicals, food products, or something else, your business will need a regular supply of nitrogen. There are multiple ways to acquire nitrogen for nitrogen blanketing.

Nitrogen Storage Tanks

Nitrogen storage tanks are a common source of nitrogen for businesses that use nitrogen periodically. While nitrogen storage tanks are serviceable for businesses that only need a small, infrequent nitrogen supply, there are many downsides to using nitrogen storage tanks for a constant and regular supply of nitrogen.

Namely, nitrogen storage tanks are subject to problems with supply and delivery. They require a lot of space to store, and shipments of tanks can sometimes be delayed due to weather, supply chain issues, and more. Maintaining a regular supply of nitrogen storage tanks can be administratively and logistically challenging. In addition, nitrogen storage tanks represent an ongoing cost that can add up over time.

Nitrogen Generator

A nitrogen generator is a good solution for a business that requires a regular supply of nitrogen for its operations. While a nitrogen generator does represent an upfront one-time cost, this cost is far less than the ongoing costs of nitrogen storage tanks. In addition, the nitrogen generator is always available to supply nitrogen, whereas nitrogen tanks are subject to availability.

Once the generator is purchased, the only ongoing costs associated with the generator are the maintenance and power to run the generator. This can save your business money over time. With a nitrogen generator on hand, your business will enjoy a steady supply of nitrogen for its business purposes year-round.

Need a Nitrogen Generator? Get Yours from a Reputable Manufacturer

A well-constructed, well-designed nitrogen generator can help your business save money and can also keep your business functioning. To purchase your nitrogen generator, contact On Site Gas. We design and build nitrogen generators that provide safe, continuous nitrogen gas for a variety of applications including nitrogen blanketing. Our reliable generators are designed to last.

To learn more about nitrogen generators for your business, see our FAQ page or contact us.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

Nitrogen Food Packaging: How Nitrogen Flushing Keeps Your Food Fresh

Packaged foods sold in grocery stores and convenience stores are specially packaged to keep the food fresh for a long time. Nitrogen is a crucial part of that packaging process. Whether you’re thinking about starting a business in the food industry or you’ve just always wondered how processed foods can stay safe to eat for so long, this information about nitrogen food packaging can help.

What Happens to Food Exposed to Oxygen

Oxygen causes food to deteriorate, so long-term food preservation starts with removing the oxygen from the container. Oxygen causes fats to go rancid, colors to change, and food products to spoil. There are two ways to remove oxygen from a container: Vacuum packaging the container or flushing the air out.

Vacuum Packaging Doesn’t Work For All Types of Food

Vacuum packaging is one way to remove oxygen, but this type of packaging is only safe to use for certain types of food. Beef jerky is an example of a food type that does well with vacuum packaging. During the vacuum packaging process, food is placed in a plastic sheath, and all the air is removed. Fragile foods break under these conditions, so only sturdy food items, like beef jerky and coffee beans, are appropriate food for this type of packaging.

Nitrogen Flushing Replaces Oxygen in Food Packaging

Nitrogen flushing is an excellent option for fragile foods like chips, snack foods, and crackers. During the nitrogen flushing process, nitrogen replaces oxygen inside the package. The nitrogen gas fills the package and creates a cushion, preventing the food from spoiling. Food doesn’t react with nitrogen the way it does with oxygen, so nitrogen in place of oxygen helps keep the food fresh.

The gas also prevents the sides of the bag from being crushed around the food to help keep the food intact. Nitrogen gas is harmless to people; when the bag is opened, the nitrogen escapes into the air. Since nitrogen makes up nearly 80% of the air we breathe, it’s considered safe.

How Nitrogen Packaging Food Works

Food is placed inside a package prior to flushing the package with nitrogen. A nitrogen food packaging machine forces oxygen out of the bag and then immediately replaces the oxygen with nitrogen. Once the space inside the bag has been filled with nitrogen, the bag is then sealed.

Once the bag opens, the food begins to deteriorate because it’s once again exposed to oxygen. The deterioration of the food can be slowed by clipping the bag shut and limiting the oxygen inside, but once the bag has been opened, the spoilage of the food becomes inevitable.

Are You Packaging Food? Why A Nitrogen Generator is Important

Nitrogen tanks are a common tool that food packaging facilities use to package their food. Unfortunately, nitrogen tanks are inefficient for a variety of reasons.

Problems with nitrogen tanks include:

  • Storage space. Nitrogen tanks take up a lot of room and need to be stored until they’re returned to the distributor.
  • Cost. While nitrogen tanks may seem like they don’t cost very much, they represent an ongoing cost to the business. If your business rents nitrogen tanks regularly, the costs for these tanks can add up.
  • Supply chain issues. Nitrogen tanks are susceptible to supply chain problems that can cause delays. If your supplier of nitrogen tanks is for any reason experiencing a supply problem, then your business could be at risk.
  • Environmental problems. Nitrogen delivery requires a truck to arrive at your facility on an ongoing basis, burning fossil fuels to keep your business going.

Purchasing a nitrogen generator for food packaging can solve all of these problems. A nitrogen generator is an efficient tool for producing a steady stream of nitrogen on site. Nitrogen generators are better for the environment because they’re energy efficient. They’re also cost-efficient. While a nitrogen generator does involve some upfront costs, once the generator has been purchased, the only other associated costs are the energy to keep the generator going and maintenance.

Need a Nitrogen Generator? Contact On Site Gas

On Site Gas Systems manufactures and supports nitrogen generators for businesses in the food packaging industry and a variety of other industries. To find out more about how a nitrogen generator can benefit your business or to get a quote for a nitrogen generator, contact us today.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

Why Are My Bag Of Chips Half-Full Of Air?

Have you ever opened a bag of chips and wondered, why chip bags have so much air? Have you ever been disappointed to see a large pocket of space in your chip bag?

It may surprise you to learn that the large air pockets in your bag of chips aren’t air at all and that chips came this way for a very good reason. There’s a science behind the art of chip packaging. Everything happens for a reason. Here’s what you should know.

The “Air” In Your Bag of Chips Isn’t Air At All

Air is not suitable for food. Exposure to air is what causes food to spoil. Over an extended period, air causes microorganisms to grow. Yeast and bacteria will grow and thrive when exposed to air. These are the microorganisms that cause food to break down. In addition, exposure to air can speed up chemical reactions in food, causing the food to smell, taste bad and look bad.

Chips can stay good while in the bag as long as the bag isn’t opened. This is because the air was removed from the bag before it was sealed. The environment inside the bag is not conducive to the chemical reactions and growth of bacteria that food needs to break down.

So, What’s the Gas In The Bag of Chips?

The air in your bag of chips is a harmless gas called nitrogen. Nitrogen helps protect your food’s color, flavor, odor, and structural integrity. Before your bag of chips was closed with chips inside, the bag was filled with nitrogen. Nitrogen is a gas that’s found in the air. Nearly 80% of the earth’s atmosphere is made up of nitrogen.

Chip manufacturers refer to filling your bag of chips with air as “slack fill.” Slack fill is a necessary process that does more than prevent your chips from spoiling. Here’s what else you should know.

Nitrogen Inside the Bag Helps the Bag Stay Inflated

You’ve probably noticed that chips can be fragile and easily crushed under certain conditions. Nitrogen in your chips protects them by keeping the bag inflated around them – as long as the bag is sealed and nitrogen inside, the chips can maintain a cushion that prevents them from becoming crushed.

How Does Nitrogen Get In The Chip Bag?

Food manufacturers have machines for removing oxygen-rich air out of the bag of chips while filling the space with nitrogen. Once this is done, the bag is sealed quickly before it can refill with air.

In addition to the special machinery that can remove the oxygen from the chip bag, many chip manufacturers have a nitrogen generator on hand to create the nitrogen. While nitrogen can also be rented from storage tanks, many chip manufacturing companies have found that nitrogen generators are a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to create a lot of nitrogen on demand.

Need a Nitrogen Generator? Contact On Site Gas

Your business can benefit from a nitrogen generator if you’re making and selling chips. A good nitrogen generator can help save your company money over time, compared to the cost of renting nitrogen tanks and having them delivered.

In addition, finding a steady supply of nitrogen tanks can be tricky since supply chain issues can delay regular deliveries. The best way to keep your company producing and selling chips (cost-effectively) is to get a nitrogen generator for your plant. On Site Gas can help with this. We sell reliable nitrogen generators. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get an onsite nitrogen generator for your business.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by

On-Site Nitrogen Generators: 5 Reasons To Make The Switch From N2 Bottles This Year

If your business relies on nitrogen for its manufacturing process, there are many reasons to switch from nitrogen tanks to an on-site nitrogen generator. Switching to an on-site nitrogen generation system can save your business money and keep your business running smoothly day in and day out. Once you know all the benefits of having a nitrogen generator for your business, you may be ready to make the switch. When this happens, On Site Gas can help. Here’s what you need to know about switching from N2 bottles to an on-site nitrogen gas generator.

1. It’s Cost-Efficient

Delivery of nitrogen can be costly. Tank rentals, delivery charges, administrative costs, and other fees can add up quickly when you’re paying for nitrogen gas delivery. What’s worse is that nitrogen is always lost during the delivery process. Your business paid for the nitrogen, but it never made it on site.

On-site nitrogen gas generation may cost more in the beginning, but this one-time cost could turn out to be far less than the ongoing cost of nitrogen tank rental. How much do you spend on nitrogen every month? How much does this amount to per year? Compare this to the price of a nitrogen generator to find out how quickly you would begin to save money if you purchased a nitrogen generator. For a free quote on the cost of a nitrogen generator, contact On Site Gas.

2. Increases Safety

Nitrogen tanks are stored at low temperatures or incredibly high pressure. Either way, this can make handling nitrogen tanks dangerous, and accidents on site can lead to injuries or worse.

OSHA standards dictate how to handle nitrogen as a compressed gas and as a liquid, however, handling nitrogen from a nitrogen generator simplifies everything. Nitrogen produced on demand from a generator is safer to handle overall and can lead to fewer on site accidents.

3. Reduces Downtime and Supply Issues

Nitrogen gas that arrives from a regular delivery of tanks or cylinders is inherently subject to delays and supply chain problems. As long as your business is relying on another business to deliver nitrogen to your site, you are at risk of a variety of problems including shortages, closings, and any other delivery-related problems.

Everything from weather to strikes can impact your delivery of nitrogen, depending on the circumstances. If your business relies on nitrogen delivery as an essential part of its operations, then you could be at risk. With an on-site nitrogen generator, your business will have an on-demand product, available at any time, as needed. This can help ensure your business operations are kept running smoothly.

4. Environmentally Friendly

It takes a great deal of energy to turn nitrogen gas into a liquid, and even more to turn the liquid back into a gas. All this energy use is bad for the environment. But what’s better for the environment is to produce nitrogen on demand from a generator.

Nitrogen generators use comparatively less energy just to run, and of course, do not use natural resources for regular delivery in the way that nitrogen tanks do. In other words, nitrogen tank delivery requires a delivery vehicle to arrive at your facility. The delivery vehicle releases pollution into the air, and also requires the use of fossil fuels to power the delivery vehicle.

Using a nitrogen generator is an excellent way to use fewer natural resources to run your business. Nitrogen generators are a greener, more eco-friendly solution.

5. Fits Specific Needs

Nitrogen generators are able to switch their purity levels for the application at hand, while tanks are not able to provide this service. Having a nitrogen generator on hand to fit the specific needs of the user is much more practical than keeping nitrogen tanks on hand for each task.

Interested in Installing a Nitrogen Generator? Contact OnSite Gas

On Site Gas creates nitrogen generators for businesses around the world, including membrane nitrogen generators and PSA nitrogen generators. We also custom-build generators for customers who have specific, hard-to-meet needs. To learn more about how a nitrogen generator can benefit your business, or to get a quote for your nitrogen generator system, request one today from On Site Gas.

SPEC YOUR SYSTEM TALK TO AN EXPERT CONTACT US
/0 Comments/by