Everything to Know About N2 Generation Technology

Nitrogen gas is important in various industries, from pharmaceuticals to petroleum to food packaging. Nitrogen can be supplied to businesses in many ways, including via cylinder, liquid nitrogen delivery, and on-site generation.

If your business relies on nitrogen for its industrial or manufacturing processes, then you need to understand nitrogen and the many options for obtaining nitrogen. This article is a guide to nitrogen generator technology and how it can streamline your business.

What Is a Nitrogen Gas Generator?

A nitrogen gas generator is a device that separates nitrogen from oxygen and other gases in the air. Nitrogen generators produce high-purity nitrogen on demand for businesses in many industries, including food and beverage industries, aerospace, electronics, oil and gas, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

How Nitrogen Generation Technology Works

There are different nitrogen generator types. The two most common are membrane nitrogen generators and pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generators with each type having distinct benefits. When choosing a nitrogen generator for your business, it’s important to understand your nitrogen needs to select the right generator for your industry.

Membrane Nitrogen Generators

Membrane nitrogen generators operate through a selective permeation process. Compressed air enters the generator, which contains a membrane with polymer fibers. As the air is pushed into the polymer fibers, nitrogen and oxygen are separated. The generator produces a steady stream of nitrogen and expels oxygen as waste.

The advantages of membrane nitrogen generators include:

  • Continuous nitrogen production: Membrane nitrogen generators produce a reliable stream of nitrogen. In contrast with nitrogen cylinders, membrane nitrogen generators never need to be refilled or re-stocked.
  • Low-maintenance: Membrane nitrogen generators are relatively low maintenance. They contain no moving parts, making them easy to maintain and repair.
  • Energy-efficient: Membrane nitrogen generation technology is energy-efficient and requires relatively little energy.

Membrane nitrogen generators produce nitrogen that is the right purity for food packaging, oil and gas industries, tire inflation, and fire prevention.

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generators

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generators get their name from the pressure swing adsorption process. The generator contains two pressure vessels. As one vessel is pressurized, the other is depressurized. These two vessels alternate between pressurizing and depressurizing while the unit operates.

During this process of pressurizing and depressurizing, the system uses adsorption to separate nitrogen from oxygen. Each vessel contains a special sieve that adsorbs carbon dioxide, oxygen, and impurities. This allows the generator to produce a steady stream of high-purity nitrogen while expelling oxygen.

The advantages of PSA nitrogen generators include:

  • High purity levels: PSA nitrogen generators produce nitrogen in high purity levels (up to 99.999%).
  • Flexible production capacity:</b >PSA nitrogen generators are flexible in their production capacity, and can ramp up or slow down nitrogen production as needed.

PSA nitrogen generators are best for use in pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, and aerospace industries. PSA nitrogen generators are also sometimes used in laboratory settings.

Choosing the Right Nitrogen Gas Generator for Your Needs

When you’re choosing the type of nitrogen generator that’s right for your business, consider the following:

  • Purity: What is the purity requirement for your industrial processes?
  • Flow rate: How much nitrogen does your manufacturing or industrial process require?
  • Pressure needs: Different businesses need nitrogen at different pressures – what pressure is required for your processes?

When seeking the right nitrogen generator for your industry, speak with the experts at On Site Gas Systems. We can help you choose between membrane nitrogen generation technology, PSA nitrogen generators, and cryogenic nitrogen generators.

Which Type of Nitrogen Generator Technology Does Your Business Require?

Nitrogen gas generators produce a steady stream of nitrogen for businesses in many industries. The benefits of nitrogen gas generators include:

  • Save money on nitrogen delivery services
  • Environmentally-friendly
  • Energy efficient

N2 generators produce a steady, reliable stream of high-purity nitrogen. If your business relies on nitrogen delivery for your nitrogen needs, consider on-site nitrogen generation to save money and improve your processes. Browse On Site Gas Systems’ nitrogen generator solutions today.

The Role of Membrane Nitrogen Technology in Sustainability Efforts

Nitrogen gas plays an important role in various manufacturing and industrial processes. From food packaging to the aerospace industry, there is a growing need for sustainable gas generation solutions in businesses of many types. Although businesses purchase nitrogen in cylinders and other types of packages, this method of nitrogen delivery has environmental and cost downsides.

In this article, we’ll discuss how membrane nitrogen technology delivers a continuous, reliable supply of nitrogen while contributing to commercial sustainability efforts. Membrane nitrogen technology gives businesses a way of generating their nitrogen through environmentally friendly means.

What Is Membrane Nitrogen Technology?

The air contains a combination of nitrogen and oxygen along with small amounts of other gases. Membrane nitrogen generators use a selective permeation process to separate nitrogen from oxygen.

In a membrane generator, compressed air is pushed into the unit. The membrane nitrogen generator contains polymer fibers in a membrane. Each fiber has tiny holes that can fit oxygen and other gas molecules, but not nitrogen. During the nitrogen generation process, gasses are passed through the holes in the fiber, separating oxygen from nitrogen. Oxygen is expelled as waste, and the membrane nitrogen generator produces a steady stream of nitrogen for industrial purposes.

There are many advantages to using a membrane nitrogen generator instead of a nitrogen cylinder or another form of nitrogen delivery. Some of those advantages include:

  • Less reliance on fossil fuels: Nitrogen cylinder delivery happens via vehicles that use fossil fuels. Membrane nitrogen generators use little power to function and thus can shrink your business’s carbon footprint.
  • Cost efficiency: In addition to being good for the environment, nitrogen generators are cost-efficient. Nitrogen generators are sold for a one-time cost, whereas nitrogen cylinders are rented or purchased for an ongoing cost. Over time, businesses with membrane nitrogen generators can save money compared to businesses that depend on nitrogen cylinders.
  • Requires little energy: Membrane nitrogen generators have low power consumption and few moving parts. They’re durable and long-lasting.

Sustainability Benefits of Membrane Nitrogen Technology

If your business prioritizes sustainability, there are many reasons to get a membrane nitrogen generator:

Energy Efficiency

Membrane technology has low energy consumption and the ability to supply nitrogen on demand. This helps reduce your business’s overall carbon footprint.

Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Installing a nitrogen generator onsite eliminates the need for transportation of nitrogen cylinders, dewars, and other containers. On-site production minimizes fuel consumption and thus minimizes emissions. Since cryogenic nitrogen requires special storage conditions, membrane nitrogen generation can cut back on energy consumption in this way as well.

Waste Reduction and Resource Conservation

There are no byproducts or chemical waste in membrane nitrogen generation. Whereas single-use nitrogen cylinders and liquid nitrogen storage can produce waste, membrane nitrogen generators are virtually waste-free.

Long-Term Cost Savings

Membrane nitrogen technology has lower operational and maintenance costs than nitrogen cylinder delivery. Businesses that switch to membrane nitrogen generators enjoy reduced dependency on third-party nitrogen suppliers. Since these nitrogen suppliers can experience disruptions in service and problems with the supply chain, the result of using a generator is more consistent availability of nitrogen and long-term cost savings.

Eco-Friendly Applications

Nitrogen allows businesses to package and preserve food without harmful chemicals. Nitrogen also helps reduce environmental risks through inerting and blanketing, which prevents oxidation, moisture contamination, and combustion.

Need a Nitrogen Generator Membrane System? Contact Us

Membrane nitrogen technology supports commercial sustainability efforts in many ways. If your business prioritizes sustainability and needs nitrogen for its industrial processes, a membrane nitrogen generator may be the right option for your business.

The best way to find out if a nitrogen generator membrane system is right for your needs is to consult with a reputable membrane nitrogen generator manufacturer. This is why many people turn to On Site Gas Systems’ solutions for sustainable nitrogen supply.

As one of the leaders of membrane nitrogen generators, we can help you find a nitrogen generator membrane system to service your business with a continuous supply of nitrogen. Contact us today to get started by speaking to one of our membrane nitrogen experts!