Leaks cause problems in virtually any industrial setting that utilizes pipes. Leaks can lead to lost profits, damaged equipment, extra work, and lost time. Whether you’re working in the automotive industry, in the HVAC industry, or in another industry where leaks can cause problems, nitrogen leak detection can help you identify leaks when they occur.

In many circumstances, a leak test with nitrogen is one of the most efficient ways to find leaks. Nitrogen leak detection is efficient and safe when properly conducted. This article will identify the benefits of nitrogen leak testing, how nitrogen leak testing is conducted, and why a nitrogen leak test is a smart way to identify leaks in many industries.

Basics of Nitrogen Leak Testing

Nitrogen leak testing is the use of nitrogen to identify the location of leaks in an enclosed system. Using a nitrogen leak detector method can help you find leaks where they’re at, and determine when those leaks have been resolved.

Compared with other types of leak testing, nitrogen is cost-effective and accurate. Nitrogen is an inert gas, which means that it’s non-corrosive and non-combustible.

Nitrogen can be used to identify leaks in refrigeration systems, pipelines, newly installed fire sprinkler systems, food processing facilities, and more.

Benefits of Using Nitrogen for Leak Detection

Many businesses use nitrogen for leak detection. Knowing the benefits of nitrogen leak detection can help you decide if this type of leak detection is the right method for your business. Remember that there are many ways that you can identify leaks, so familiarizing yourself with the many options is important.

Nitrogen is Abundant

The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of nearly 80 percent nitrogen, which makes it one of the most common elements on Earth. The natural abundance of nitrogen makes it easy to acquire for most businesses. Nitrogen generators produce nitrogen by taking in the gas in the air and separating the nitrogen from the oxygen and other elements and contaminants.

Safety

Nitrogen is overall very safe. It’s non-toxic for people, and in fact, is something that people breathe all the time. Nitrogen is also non-combustible. Compared to gasses like oxygen, this makes nitrogen overall a very safe element to use.

Accuracy and Reliability

A properly conducted nitrogen leak detection test is an accurate way to identify leaks in an enclosed system. To ensure accuracy, it’s important to ensure that anyone who is tasked with leak detection knows how to do it correctly.

Environmental Benefits

Nitrogen is not harmful to the environment, and if produced with a nitrogen generator, collecting nitrogen has a low environmental impact.

Inert

Nitrogen is inert, which means that it’s non-reactive with other substances. It’s unlikely to cause corrosion, which puts it in contrast with elements like oxygen.

Industries Where Nitrogen Leak Testing is Crucial

Nitrogen leak testing is crucial to a variety of systems. Below are some of the industries where nitrogen leak detection is common.

1. HVAC Systems
2. Automotive Industry
3. Aerospace and Aviation
4. Oil and Gas Pipelines

In each one of these industries, the use of nitrogen to detect leaks can help keep equipment in use and can help prevent downtime of important systems.

How Nitrogen Leak Testing Works

There are different methods to perform nitrogen leak testing. First, the portion of the system that is being tested must be isolated from the rest of the system. Next, nitrogen is pushed into the system up to the standard expected pressure. Assuming a range of pressure is acceptable, the system must be tested to the upper limits of the range.

Finally, the edges and connections within the system must be coated in a soapy solution to detect leaks. If there is a leak, the soapy solution will produce more suds in the areas around the leak.

To perform this type of test, you’ll need a source of nitrogen and a soapy solution.

Start Nitrogen Leak Testing Today

Nitrogen leak testing can help you catch leaks where they form before they become unmanageable. When leak testing with nitrogen, it’s important to give the job to workers who have been trained to use nitrogen for leak testing and know how to do it safely.

Using a nitrogen generator can help ensure efficiency and control costs when leak testing. On Site Gas Systems produces nitrogen generators for leak testing and other industrial purposes. Call today to learn more about our PSA nitrogen generators, membrane nitrogen generators, and custom systems for your business.

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.

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:

• Food processing
• Chemical plants
• Petrochemical industries
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Aerospace industries
• Chemical tankers
• Ships and transformers

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.

Nitrogen is an essential ingredient in a variety of manufacturing processes. Many businesses get their supply of nitrogen from N2 gas tank deliveries, but there are many downsides to getting a steady supply of nitrogen this way. In fact, nitrogen gas tank rentals are inefficient in many ways. Nitrogen gas tanks purchased this way are costly and require a lot of space for storage. They can also be susceptible to supply chain problems.

There is a solution to this problem. If your business relies on N2 gas tanks for your manufacturing process, it’s crucial to learn the benefits of on-site nitrogen generators. Nitrogen generators solve many of the problems made by nitrogen gas tanks. Here’s what you need to know.

On-Site Nitrogen Generation Vs. Bottled Nitrogen

On-site nitrogen is nitrogen created from a generator. Nitrogen generators are a reliable source of nitrogen that can deliver 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Below are some ways that nitrogen generators are better than nitrogen gas tanks.

• Less waste. Sometimes it’s difficult to get all the nitrogen out of the bottles, but when you create your own nitrogen on site, you produce less waste overall.
• Control purity. When you have a nitrogen generator, you can set the purity level. Purity control makes manufacturing processes easier.
• Cost-efficient. Although there’s an up-front cost associated with purchasing a nitrogen generator, there are significant cost savings over time. Once the equipment is purchased, the only associated costs come from maintaining the machine.
• Any time you’re working with a high-pressure cylinder, there’s a risk. Getting your nitrogen from an on-site generator is safer.
• Sustainability. Generating your nitrogen on site has a lower environmental impact than receiving nitrogen tank deliveries.

Other Benefits of Generating My Nitrogen On Site

In addition to the benefits named above, there are many other benefits of generating nitrogen on site.

• No more worries about supply chain problems. Nitrogen cylinders can be challenging to get a hold of, and it only sometimes arrives when you need it. Relying on nitrogen gas deliveries for your manufacturing process can be dangerous– weather, shortages, and other problems can get in the way of your deliveries. Having a nitrogen generator on site ensures that you’ll have a steady supply of nitrogen, where you want it when you want it.
• You’ll start making money back sooner than you think. Many businesses take less than two years before they cover the initial cost of the nitrogen generator. Over time, they save up to 80% on the cost of nitrogen compared to purchasing bulk or bottled nitrogen.
• You’ll save space. Nitrogen tanks can take up a lot of space, depending on how much nitrogen you need to make or package your product. Nitrogen generators take up less space and do not need gas bottles in your workshop.
• You’ll save administrative time. Finding new suppliers of nitrogen can take time. Using a nitrogen generator fixes that by ensuring that you have a consistent supply of nitrogen on hand without ordering new tanks every week, month, or how often you need them.

Buying a Nitrogen Generator System? How to Choose the Right Manufacturer

When you’re looking for a nitrogen generator system, it’s important to find a manufacturer that makes dependable products that they support. Do your research when you’re choosing between multiple manufacturers: how long have they been in business? Do they support their products?

On Site Gas is a well-respected name in the industry. We make nitrogen generators that last, and they’re backed by a warranty that offers full protection. We offer service and system support for customers who buy our generators.

To learn more about nitrogen generators from On Site Gas, contact us for a quote.