Self Contained Nitrogen Generators

What Are Self Contained Nitrogen Generators?

A self contained nitrogen generator allows you to produce your own nitrogen right at your facility, bypassing nitrogen cylinder delivery. You can either set it up to produce a continuous supply, or you can generate nitrogen on demand.
No matter your industry, a nitrogen generator can make life a lot easier—and the nitrogen generator will pay for itself with the amount of money you save on cylinders. Here is a closer look at the two main types of nitrogen generators available:

PSA Nitrogen Generators

A PSA nitrogen generator is a nitrogen generator that uses pressure swing adsorption to generate oxygen. Adsorption is the process of separating molecules, so a PSA nitrogen generator literally separates the nitrogen from the oxygen in the air. The oxygen molecules are smaller, so the sieve material absorbs them, and the nitrogen molecules are larger, so they continue on into the nitrogen receiver. A PSA nitrogen generator is an excellent, economical way to have nitrogen on demand. It provides reliable year-to-year gas costs and gives you a rapid return on your investment.

Membrane Nitrogen Generators

A membrane nitrogen generator is a fully functional, ready-to-go system. We build it according to your exact specifications and then ship it to you ready to put online. A membrane nitrogen generator can be customized to be compatible with any compression equipment, making it ideal for a wide array of applications.
A membrane nitrogen generator works by feeding pressurized air into hollow fibers. These fibers contain small holes that force the oxygen molecules to exit the system when under pressure. Any CO2 and water vapor in the air will also permeate through the walls of the fibers. However, nitrogen molecules are larger and they are extremely dry, so they do not easily saturate into the fibers. This means they are the only particles that survive the membranes). These nitrogen particles are then collected for you to use. If you require a lower purity of nitrogen, you simply need to decrease the speed at which the air is dispersed. Since there are no moving parts in membrane nitrogen generators, they are very low maintenance, and they are able to produce a constant nitrogen supply.
To learn more about our self contained nitrogen generators, or to find out which one will work the best for your application, contact us today.

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How Much Nitrogen Gas Should I Add for Increased Shelf Life of Food?

Nitrogen is one of the most popular gases for modified atmosphere packaging. By displacing the oxygen within your food packaging, nitrogen is able to dramatically increase the shelf life of your food products—meaning less waste and happier customers.

How Nitrogen Extends Shelf Life

Modified atmosphere packaging is an important part of food preservation because it eliminates the oxygen and replaces it with nitrogen. As you know, bacteria, such as mold and mildew, rely on oxygen to grow. When you remove the oxygen, your food will last longer on the shelf. Nitrogen for food preservation is also relevant because it fills up every pocket of space within your packaging, so there is nowhere for moisture to get in. A modified atmosphere packaging machine allows you to easily replace the oxygen with nitrogen right onsite, greatly reducing the amount of waste your company has and saving your company thousands of dollars per year.

Determining How Much Nitrogen for Food Preservation

When it comes to determining how much nitrogen for food preservation, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. There are many factors that go into play with modified atmosphere packaging, but in general, these are the five characteristics you need to consider:

  • The Natural Shelf Life – Foods that go bad quickly will obviously require more nitrogen for food preservation than shelf-stable foods like honey or dried beans.
  • The Type of Gas Mixture – Nitrogen is not the only gas used in modified atmosphere packaging. In fact, UNIDO has compiled some recommended gas mixtures for different types of foods. Those with the highest moisture contents, such as fresh pasta or pastries, will usually use 99-99.9% nitrogen, while others use a mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
  • The Type of Packaging – How heavy duty is the material you are using? Is it porous and prone to punctures, or solid and dense? If there is a chance of any gas escaping, you need to keep that in mind when determining how much nitrogen you need when using a modified atmosphere packaging machine.
  • The Storage Conditions – Is your product going to be stored on an open shelf, or will it be kept refrigerated or frozen? Foods stored at room temperature generally need more nitrogen.

Essentially, the amount of nitrogen that you will require for modified atmosphere packaging is extremely variable. Oftentimes, a trial and error process is necessary to figure out what will give your food an optimal shelf life. With an onsite nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems, you can have the nitrogen you need, when you need it, making modified atmosphere packaging easier than ever. To learn more about nitrogen for food preservation, contact us now.

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What Is a Nitrogen Generator?

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What Is a Nitrogen Generator?A nitrogen generator produces nitrogen from standard compressed air, replacing the need for a delivered supply in the form of high pressure cylinders, liquid mini-tanks or bulk storage vessels. The process results in a safe, inert, and consistent flow of stabilized industrial nitrogen gas.
Business owners can choose between pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane technology to serve their nitrogen generation needs.

What Is the Pressure Swing Adsorption Nitrogen Generation Process?

On Site Gas Systems PSA technology is frequently sought and purchased by businesses that need high nitrogen purity and a required flow rate while saving about 50 percent per year on annual gas expenses.
Part One: Adsorption
Adsorption is the first part of the PSA process. A PSA system features two adsorption towers or vessels that are filled with Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS.) As compressed and dried air flows through one tower, oxygen is adsorbed in the CMS. The remaining nitrogen flows into the buffer tank to ensure a steady downstream supply. On Site Gas Systems is able to provide a range of nitrogen purities.
Part Two: Desorption
As one bed is in the adsorption process the second bed is in the desorption process. This process releases the trapped oxygen molecules from the adsorption process back to the atmosphere. The vessel is now ready to start the adsorption process again.
The total time that the PSA nitrogen generation process takes is a mere 60 seconds.

What Are Additional Benefits of Investing in an On Site PSA Nitrogen Generator?

In addition to the overall savings, you may need some additional information about how having an On Site Gas PSA nitrogen generator can help your business. Consider just a few of the following advantages that our nitrogen generators can offer your business:

  • An average return on investment within the first 15 months of purchase.
  • We provide on-demand systems designed for 24/7 use, which means that the more the system runs, the more money you save.
  • You will not see any losses from your product venting into the atmosphere.
  • There is no boil-off of gas, as there would be with the cryogenic process.
  • Nitrogen generators do not have special safety concerns, so the generator can be located on the shop floor, right where it’s needed most.
  • Having the generator close to the application means you do not need to place large bulk tanks in other areas, which translates into more space for other needs. It also means costs to pipe the plant drop considerably.
  • You will not need to switch out cylinders and dewars, so productivity stays high, and risk of injury stays low.
  • You will use less electricity with On Site Gas’ nitrogen generators than you would with other options, meaning overall costs and carbon footprint remain low.

What Are the Most Common Uses for PSA Nitrogen Generation Processing?

Applications in industries that rely on an environment rich in compressed and stable nitrogen, and without oxidation and potential combustion, use PSA nitrogen processing and include:

  • The preservation of packed or bulk products in the food processing industry.
  • The delay of rancidity in wine that would occur quickly without nitrogen generation, allowing for prolonged freshness.
  • The safe and stabilized storage of paints and solvents.
  • The production of electronic parts, such as integrated circuits and transistors, to prevent moisture and oxidation.

Those are only a few of the possible uses for nitrogen generation to provide safe and high-quality products that can withstand a reasonably long shelf life without the worry of oxidation or combustion.
If you believe your company might benefit from having a nitrogen generator on site, but you need more information, contact us at On Site Gas to discuss your many options.

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Consider An Industrial N2 Filling Station

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Consider An Industrial N2 Filling StationNow is the right time to consider an industrial N2 filling station for your company. On Site Gas Systems offers Nitrogen Cylinder filling stations, and we can provide your enterprise with a number of different types and sizes of systems to meet your requirements
N2 filling stations allow refilling of cylinders instead of ordering pre-filled options from another company. The ability to refill nitrogen cylinders as needed saves your company time and money, while increasing reliability. You can meet your nitrogen needs with on-site and on-demand nitrogen and never have to worry about running out.

Saving Money on Nitrogen Cylinders

All companies want to save money, and yours can save substantial amounts by refilling nitrogen cylinders. Buying pre-filled cylinders from a gas provider can be expensive and fraught with hassle: you have to rely on prompt delivery, and any delay can cause you to run out, which can reduce or even shut down production. That loss of productivity costs money, above and beyond the price of filled cylinders.
On Site Gas has a perfect solution for your business. Instead of hiring a company to bring filled cylinders, then exchanging the empty ones, you can fill your own. A nitrogen generator system allows you to add a filling station right in your facility, which means eliminating high prices for filled cylinders, as well as relieving concern about receiving refills in a timely fashion. Additionally, refilling cylinders eliminates the safety concerns of storing filled nitrogen cylinders and an On Site Gas Systems filling station takes up very little space.

Installation of an Industrial N2 Filling Station

The majority of filling stations use a booster pump from the generator system to fill cylinders to 2200 PSIG. If you need higher pressure, On Site can help. We have many options to ensure you have the nitrogen your business needs the moment it’s needed. Having an industrial N2 filling station is an efficient way of reducing costs, speeding up the process of production, and making sure your business isn’t sitting idle because there’s no nitrogen.
Ready to add an N2 filling station to your company’s nitrogen generator system? On Site is ready to help. Please contact us today.

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What’s the Deal with This “Nitro Cold Brew” all the Coffee Drinkers Love?

coffee-tap_0_0When you think about it, nitro cold brews were inevitable. Amid the current passion over craft beers — and in a world full of creative brew-masters — it makes sense to apply similar principles to another popular beverage staple. Cold brewed, stored in a keg and infused with nitrogen (hence the “nitro”), the coffee connoisseur website Dr. Axe notes how closely nitro cold brew mimics the experience of drinking a cold beer straight from the tap.
Imagine your favorite cup of joe, chilled, frothy and brimming with soft, velvety carbonation. Each expertly poured serving features a mug full of icy cold coffee with a head much like that of the world-famous Guinness Stout. With Guinness having developed the nitro cold brewing process, baristas strive to ensure each pour foams like that of the masters.

Why A Nitro Cold Brew is Essential to the Growth of your Small Coffee Shop

Similar to craft beer drinkers, coffee aficionados tend to follow trends, and are generally eager to experience adventures led by teams at their favorite small coffee shop. If you are looking for ways to help promote growth for your own small coffee shop, nitro cold brewing is essential. This science-based brewing process may seem complex, but your willingness to take the leap is likely to pay off.
There are plenty of additional reasons that nitro cold brew is essential to the growth of your small coffee shop, including the following:

  • You can stay competitive in your market. The popularity of the velvety and bubbly goodness of nitro coffee is catching on, and more coffee shops are expanding their repertoire to incorporate nitro capabilities. You do not want to start losing customers to neighborhood coffee sellers and have to attract your customers all over again. Men’s Journal states that nitro brew coffee is the best thing to happen to coffee since ice, so it appears that nitro coffee is likely here to stay for the long haul.
  • You offer something that home brew machines cannot. With so many personal coffee brewers and accompanying pods that bring coffee shop flavor to coffee lovers’ homes, you can offer an unusual treat they can’t make at home with a nitro brew.
  • Nitro brewed coffee features more caffeine and zero sugar, milk, or alcohol. With 30 percent more caffeine than regular coffee, and free of fats and sugars, nitro coffee may just be the Holy Grail for die hard coffee drinkers.
  • The flavor is all coffee without any bitterness. Business Insider cites the running theory that nitro-infusion slows down degradation of coffee’s compounds, which bypasses the usual “rust effect” that gives coffee a bitter and sour taste. Nitro brewing helps slow oxidation to extend shelf life, making each frothy mug taste fresher and smoother than traditional brews.

Taking the plunge into nitro brewing has the potential to offer creative rewards for your small coffee shop and staff, as well as keeping your loyal customers lining up at your door each morning. On Site Gas Systems offers our new Nitro-Blast System so you can offer Nitro-coffee in your coffee shop.
The team at On Site Gas understands the challenges and extensive rewards involved with the nitro-infusion process, so when you are ready to start your own nitro brewing adventures in your small coffee shop, please contact us so we can help.

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Nitrogen Gas Infuses Benefits to Winemaking Industry

Nitrogen Infusion for WinemakersOxidation, bacteria, and spoilage are a winemaker’s worst enemies, threatening profits and sales. Nitrogen can be used to help prevent oxidation, which occurs when wine is exposed to too much oxygen. And the use of nitrogen throughout various stages of the winemaking process helps preserve color, flavor, and aroma of any wine.

Why Nitrogen in the winemaking process?

Nitrogen is a colorless and odorless gas, which makes it possible to use without wine/wine bottle discoloration or a negative impact on the wine’s taste. Specifically, nitrogen gas can be used during transfer and bottling of any wine to help reduce waste, save the winemaker money, increase employee safety, and reduce environmental impact.

Nitrogen’s Role in Winemaking

Nitrogen gas can be used to prevent oxidation during three specific stages of the winemaking process.

  • Flushing: There is a risk of too much oxygen exposure when wine is transferred between containers through housing pumps and hoses. By flushing these pumps, hoses, and filling bowls before bottling begins, unwanted oxidation can be prevented early on.
  • Sparging: Wine naturally dissolves oxygen during the fermentation and aging process, so sparging can come in handy as a means of applying nitrogen in the form of extremely small gas bubbles. This works to remove any released oxygen and preserve the wine.
  • Blanketing: When it comes time to bottle wine, bottles can be flushed with nitrogen both before and after filling. Nitrogen can also be applied to partially filled barrels or tanks to displace oxygen.

Additional Nitrogen Benefits to Winemakers

Winemakers of all sizes can benefit from using nitrogen in the process by cutting down on waste caused by oxidation and spoilage. And costs associated with setting up on-site nitrogen generation equipment can pay for itself many times in the long-term.
On Site Gas Systems specializes in installing nitrogen generation systems. Whether you’re already using nitrogen gas in your process or are new to the idea, having an on-site nitrogen generation source can simplify your business and improve workplace safety.
And when you don’t rely on diesel delivery trucks to supply your nitrogen each month, you’ll help reduce your company’s carbon footprint. You’ll also save anywhere from 40% to 80% compared to delivered nitrogen, the price of which can fluctuate throughout the year.
The use of nitrogen in winemaking isn’t new, but we’re revolutionizing the way winemakers access nitrogen to make the process more profitable for you. To learn more about our nitrogen generation services, contact On Site Gas Systems today. We’d love to speak with you about how our services can help support — and grow — your winemaking businesses.
Check out Onsite’s recent feature in The Grapevine Magazine.

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Consider Replacing Nitrogen Cylinders With Nitro Blast for Beer

Replace Nitrogen CylindersIf you currently use nitrogen cylinders in your bar or coffee shop, you know the vital role nitrogen plays in achieving a perfect pour. With the right ratio of nitrogen, you can serve beer that’s perfectly carbonated, with the smooth mouth-feel that your customers love. But how much money do you spend in replacing those nitrogen cylinders on a regular basis?
Fortunately, your business can make the switch to a Nitro-Blast system. This turn-key solution is customizable to suit your needs, and is available in both cabinet-style and stand-alone systems.

How Much Money Could You Save by switching to Nitro-Blast?

By switching from nitrogen cylinder delivery to a Nitro Blast system from On Site Gas, you can save money. With an up-front cost of around $5,500, most machines pay for themselves within a year or two.
Additional Benefits
Your business can enjoy on-demand nitrogen, eliminating monthly deliveries; you can use as much or as little as your business dictates. You’ll also save on cylinder rental, delivery, and transportation charges, and you won’t have to calculate for price fluctuations from your gas supplier, allowing you more accurate and confident budgeting.
Traditional nitrogen cylinders take up valuable square footage within your restaurant, bar, or cafe. With Nitro-Blast, you can have your system wall-mounted to save floor space and avoid the risk of potential injury (since employees won’t have to handle heavy cylinders).

Nitro Blast For Microbreweries

For microbrewery owners, margins in taprooms are now higher than in distribution, so offering a unique experience that includes nitro-brew is a strategic way to increase traffic. You can also enjoy the versatility of offering beers with and without nitrogen.
Although nitro beer is still a relatively new concept, the nitrogen generator business is not; we’ve been in the industry for more than 25 years and have the experience and resources necessary to serve you.
If you’d like to find out more about how Nitro-Blast could benefit your business (and save you money) or would like to request a quote, feel free to contact our team at On Site Gas Systems today. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll make it happen.

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Join OnSite Gas at the FabTech Expo Trade Show

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OnSite Gas Systems is proud to join more than 1,200 other exhibitors at the biggest metal-forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing trade show in North America: FABTECH. This year’s show will play out across more than 550,000 square feet’s worth of the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 16 to 18. We are eager to take part in the proceedings, which are expected to draw more than 28,000 attendees.
For more than 30 years, FABTECH has brought together manufacturers, suppliers, and customers in celebration of cutting-edge metalworking and its endless applications.
Sponsored by the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, SME, and other organizations, FABTECH showcases the latest innovations in the realms of forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing. The FABTECH show floor is always a dazzling display of machinery with plenty of genius on full display.
And with over 100 educational seminars offered at FABTECH, there’s a variety of knowledge-swapping as well. With the addition of expert panels, happy hours for networking, a contest between high school and college welding students (“Welders Without Borders: Welding Thunder Team Fabrication Competition”), and a keynote address by legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard to kick things off, FABTECH promises to be an exciting and edifying few days.
OnSite Gas Systems technology helps power industrial metalworking operations all over the world, which is why we’re always excited to participate in FABTECH. Our Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generation systems allow precise and controlled atmosphere needed for laser cutting and laser welding to proceed without the deleterious impacts of oxygen. OnSite Gas nitrogen generators are perfect for kilns, furnaces, autoclaves, and other curing facilities, preventing oxidation of metals and rendering quicker, more consistent resin curing. And our 95% and 99% oxygen PSA generators are ideal for oxy-acetylene cutting and welding purposes.
OnSite Gas Systems products help eliminate the inconvenience, expense, and inefficiency of wrangling cylinders or purchasing gas in bulk. And we customize our nitrogen and oxygen generators for any industrial setting or operational scale. With a custom-built, on-site gas-generation system integrated into your process, you save time, hassle, and money. You also avail yourself of state-of-the-art technology. OnSite Gas generators deliver the exact gas purity you require, the ability to fine-tune and adjust the atmosphere of your workspace, and the means to scale up and expand with ease.
Check our full array of OnSite Gas Systems metalworking and heat treating offerings here, and don’t hesitate to touch base with us if you have any questions. We’re always eager to discuss how our products can enhance your business. And hopefully we’ll have a chance to meet you in person in Vegas for the 2016 FABTECH trade show.

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Join OnSite Gas at Pack EXPO International Trade Show

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OnSite Gas is excited to participate in the PACK EXPO International Trade Show in Chicago, from Nov. 6-9 at the Windy City’s McCormick Place. Given our wide array of gas-generation solutions for food and beverage production, storage, and packaging, the show is right in our lane.
The PACK EXPO International Trade Show is the year’s biggest devoted to processing and packaging. More than 2,300 exhibitors participate (including OnSite Gas) and some 50,000 are expected to attend. Combined with the Pharma EXPO happening concurrently in McCormick Place’s West Building, the shows encompass 1.2 million square feet.
This year’s PACK EXPO will highlight the latest in industry trends and technology (at the “Showcase of Packaging Innovations,” for instance), offer educational presentations (such as a breakdown on incorporating reusables into the packaging process), and facilitate valuable networking.
There’s even a performance by famed magician duo Penn & Teller on tap as part of the annual “PACK Gives Back” benefit evening, which, this year, is raising money for the No Greater Sacrifice charity that supports children of fallen or injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The PACK EXPO International Trade Show allows us to chat with current and potential customers and partners. And we’re always eager to be exposed to cutting-edge trends in the world of processing and packaging, from technological breakthroughs to emerging new needs and creative new solutions.

OnSite Gas Solutions for Food/Beverage Storage and Packaging

At OnSite Gas, much of our fine-tuned technology has applications in the packaging realm. Through the process called modified atmosphere packaging, our nitrogen generators can be used in the storage and packing of fresh and processed foods and beverages: wine, coffee beans and grounds, fruits and veggies, packaged snacks, and more.
Using nitrogen to buffer food products from oxygen and moisture — two agents that can hasten spoilage — modified atmosphere packaging keeps them fresher longer. The gas also helps vintners stave off the vinegary influence of oxygen at every stage of the winemaking process, from flushing and sparging to bottling.
Our nitrogen generation systems can integrate with just about any form or method of storing and packaging, from vertical form filling and canning to shrink-wrapping and bagging.
OnSite Gas nitrogen generators are also perfect for rendering the controlled atmosphere storage necessary to precisely manage oxygen levels and maintain a particular ripening timetable of stored fruits and vegetables. It can also be used on the processing side of things to ward off pests and store ingredients.
From a small boutique winery to a huge food distributor, OnSite Gas delivers innovative nitrogen-generation setups to satisfy your storage and packaging needs. And if you’re among our fellow exhibitors or attendees at PACK Expo International Trade Show, we’ll see you in Chicago this November.

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Consider These Factors When Purchasing an Oxygen Generator

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Oxygen generators have a range of applications, from providing vital life support to medical patients, to aerating wastewater, promoting biological treatment, boosting the yield of gold mines, and helping hatchery trout thrive. On Site Gas Systems offers a comprehensive range of top-quality oxygen generators for a wide variety of purposes.
Whether for commercial, industrial, or medical situations, On Site Gas PSA oxygen generators benefit commercial operations from fish farms to glassblowing; supply oxygen for healthcare purposes (including field-ready portable generators), and serve astronauts aboard the International Space Station. In addition to our ready-to-go turnkey generators, we also design custom oxygen-generation systems for nearly any setting or purpose.
Our systems utilize Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. These state-of-the-art PSA generators pass compressed air through a vessel containing zeolite, a molecular-level sieve that filters out nitrogen to provide high-purity oxygen.

Oxygen Purity

What level of oxygen purity do you require? At On Site Gas, our standard-purity generators deliver up to 95% oxygen for many commercial purposes, and our industrial generators provides up to the 99% level required by many industrial applications along with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers.* (Our generators produce 99% oxygen by running a 95% concentration through a couple of other processing stages.)

Oxygen Flow and Pressure

Calculate the minimum required flow – in standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH), normal cubic meters per hour (NM3/H), liters per minute (LPM), or whatever other units – for your purposes, as well as the necessary delivery pressure to determine what sort of oxygen-generating setup you require.
If you use a generator to fill oxygen cylinders, account for the influence of cylinder consumption on your flow requirements. Speaking of, at On Site Gas we also provide high-power oxygen filling stations for efficiently stocking your cylinders with 93%, 95%, or 99% oxygen.

Capacity of Your Air Compressor

At the front end of things, can the capacity of your compressed-air unit support the oxygen generator you’re considering?

Oxygen Generator Footprint and Setting

Consider the total footprint of your oxygen-generation system, including the generator, air compressor and any associated tanks or cylinders. Identify a location with the size and infrastructural needs to accommodate it.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at On Site Gas to meet any of your oxygen-generating requirements. Whether it’s a self-contained portable unit for a frontline hospital or a custom-built industrial installation, we’ve got the oxygen generators you need.
*If you need an oxygen generator for medical purposes, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with local regulations.

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