Fire suppression systems help keep your building safe from fire, but while fire suppression systems can enhance the value of your building and improve outcomes in the event of a fire, this is only true if the suppression system is functioning properly.

Many fire suppression systems sit for years without use because fires are so rare. Oxygen and moisture in fire suppression pipes can cause rust to develop at outlets. Ultimately, this rust buildup can lead to failure of the system when it’s needed most.

The use of a fire protection nitrogen generator in fire suppression pipes can prevent the development of rust that leads to failure of the system. For those properties where nitrogen is used in the fire suppression system, a nitrogen generator is an essential piece of equipment.

Understanding Nitrogen Generators

A nitrogen generator is a machine that produces a steady stream of nitrogen for industrial and production purposes. Nitrogen generators are used in many industries including food and beverage packaging, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and more.

Nitrogen generators produce nitrogen by separating the nitrogen in the surrounding air from the other molecules. Membrane nitrogen generators use a membrane to separate the molecules, while pressure swing adsorption generators use a carbon molecular sieve.

The Role of Nitrogen in Fire Suppression

The use of nitrogen is better than other fire suppression agents because it effectively extinguishes fire without causing damage to sensitive equipment and building structures. Compared to water, which can do damage to building materials and electronic equipment, nitrogen is highly effective.

Nitrogen is also better for the pipes and the suppression system itself. Whereas water and oxygen can cause rust in fire suppression pipes, nitrogen does not. This helps control wear and tear on the fire suppression system, to help ensure that the system will continue to work.

Safety Benefits of Using Nitrogen Generators

Some fire suppression systems produce toxic byproducts that can be hazardous to humans and animals. Nitrogen is non-toxic and overall environmentally friendly. Unlike other fire suppression chemicals, nitrogen does not need to be cleaned up and removed from the room to create a safe environment.

In addition, nitrogen generators come with many safety features that help ensure the fire suppression system is overall safe. Installing a fire suppression system that is connected to a nitrogen generator can help ensure the safety of everyone in your building.

Key Safety Features of Nitrogen Generators

When choosing a nitrogen generator for fire protection, it’s important to look for features such as automatic monitoring, built-in safety alarms, and compliance with industry standards.

1. Automatic monitoring and control systems: Automatic monitoring and control systems help ensure that your nitrogen generator is in top-working condition.
2. Built-in safety alarms and alerts: Safety alarms tell you when your nitrogen generator needs maintenance and repair to continue functioning properly.
3. Redundancy and fail-safes in design: Just to ensure that your nitrogen generator will function as expected when you need it, a good generator will have fail-safes in its design. This helps prevent problems like unexpected leaks, failure to perform, and accidents that could lead to injuries.
4. Compliance with industry safety standards: Fire suppression systems are tightly regulated to help save lives. Working with a nitrogen generator manufacturer you can trust helps ensure that your fire suppression system will meet your needs and help stop fires when it’s needed.

Installation and Maintenance Safety

To ensure the reliability of your nitrogen generator for fire sprinkler systems, regular inspections and professional servicing are essential.

Get your nitrogen generator from a trusted manufacturer. On Site Gas Systems produces nitrogen generators that are high-performance, reliable, and made to last. We work with our clients to ensure that each nitrogen generator we manufacture is created for the unique conditions at their worksite.

Train personnel on proper operation and emergency procedures. Training employees responsible for the safe functioning and operation of the nitrogen generator helps prevent problems, mishaps, and miscommunications during a fire.

Inspect your nitrogen generator regularly, and get it professionally serviced. Keep records of how often you’ve serviced your nitrogen generator, and monitor its performance over time to ensure that your nitrogen generator functions as needed to suppress fires.

Regulatory and Compliance Considerations

All new buildings are required to be equipped with an approved automatic fire suppression system. To ensure a fire suppression system complies with regulations, look to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as well as local building codes. Compliance with local and international codes is essential for the safety of the public and the structure itself.

The use of nitrogen in fire suppression systems has been approved by NFPA 13 and FM Global Data Sheet 2-1. UL product certification, FM approval, and CE certifications may be required to ensure the safe use of nitrogen generators in your fire suppression system.

Maintain a Safe Fire Suppression System With a Nitrogen Generator

Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not cause oxidation or rust-like exposure to oxygen. When it comes to fire suppression systems, the use of nitrogen can slow the production of rust within the system, helping to ensure that your fire suppression system can function reliably when a fire occurs. Nitrogen can also be used without damaging IT systems and sensitive equipment, unlike some other types of fire suppression chemicals.

It’s important to take care of your fire suppression system. Performing regular maintenance can help extend the life of your system. Take proactive safety measures to ensure compliance with regulations.

Use of a reliable nitrogen generator in your fire suppression system is one thing you can do to ensure good results, and On Site Gas Systems can help. To learn more about our nitrogen generators, or to find out what kind of nitrogen generation system would most benefit you, contact us.

There’s a growing demand for nitrogen in various industries around the world. Nitrogen is an abundant element that makes up most of the earth’s atmosphere. If your business relies on nitrogen for manufacturing, production, or packaging, you have many options for obtaining that nitrogen, including membrane nitrogen generators.

Membrane nitrogen generators are used in many industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and others. We’ll explore the technology behind membrane nitrogen generators and their applications and learn more about how these relatively simple machines are long-lasting and highly effective for businesses.

What Are Membrane Nitrogen Generators?

A membrane nitrogen generator is a generator that extracts nitrogen from the air, separates the nitrogen from other molecules like oxygen, and then ejects a steady stream of nitrogen for industrial purposes.

Nitrogen generators are relatively simple devices that use a membrane consisting of thousands of hollow polymer fibers. These fibers allow oxygen and other molecules to permeate the walls of the generator, while the nitrogen is collected inside the membrane until it is pushed out of the generator through the outlet.

The resulting high-purity nitrogen is very dry because water molecules have been extracted. It’s also inert, which means it won’t react with other materials. This is why many industries use nitrogen as it doesn’t lead to oxidization or deterioration of metals, food, medications, and other products.

History of Membrane Technology

Finding a consistent, reliable source of nitrogen for businesses became important in the 1980s and 1990s when electronics manufacturing became an important industry. Nitrogen is used to prevent oxidation during soldering, which is an important activity in electronics manufacturing.

Traditional methods of nitrogen delivery involved the use of liquid nitrogen or nitrogen cylinders. This delivery system was expensive on an ongoing basis and not practical for businesses that needed an ongoing, regular supply of nitrogen. Thus, the need for membrane nitrogen generators was created.

Continuous advancements in the nitrogen generator industry led to the development of nitrogen membrane technology. These generators are now standard for many businesses in many industries.

Nitrogen membrane generators primarily consist of a nitrogen generator membrane containing thousands of hollow fibers. These generators have no moving parts.

Advantages of Membrane Nitrogen Generators

There are many advantages of membrane nitrogen generators, especially compared to traditional nitrogen delivery methods. See below, why many industries turn to these generators:

• Efficiency: Membrane nitrogen generators efficiently produce a continuous and reliable supply of nitrogen.
• Flexibility: These generators are easily adjustable to meet varying nitrogen demands. Regardless of your industry, we can configure your generator to produce nitrogen at the desired purity level.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Nitrogen cylinders and liquid nitrogen come at costs that add up over time. Membrane nitrogen generators have lower operational costs compared to traditional nitrogen supply methods.
• Compact Design: Whereas nitrogen cylinders take up a lot of space in a warehouse or industrial setting, membrane nitrogen generators are relatively compact. They offer space-saving benefits for various industrial setups.
• Low Maintenance: Nitrogen cylinders have no moving parts and thus minimal maintenance requirements and associated costs.

Applications of Membrane Nitrogen Generators

Many industries can make use of membrane nitrogen generators, including:

• Food and Beverage: Food and beverage companies use nitrogen generators for packaging, storage, and preservation of products.
• Pharmaceuticals: Nitrogen helps ensure product stability and purity, and can be used for packaging purposes.
• Electronics: Nitrogen prevents oxidation during manufacturing processes and helps ensure strong solder joints.
• Oil and Gas: The use of nitrogen in oil and gas industries helps enhance safety and efficiency in exploration and extraction processes.
• Automotive: Nitrogen can be used in tire inflation and parts manufacturing for the automotive industry.

How On-Site Gas Systems Utilize Membrane Technology

On-Site Gas Systems has expertise in membrane nitrogen generation and can create customizable solutions to fit specific industry needs. When you work with On-Site Gas Systems for your nitrogen generator, you can be assured that your nitrogen generator will be of the highest quality and well-maintained throughout its service life.

Want to know more about membrane nitrogen generators from On Site Gas Systems? Contact us for an initial consultation and further assistance. Reach out to us through our website, or give us a call at (860)-667-8888.

Need a Nitrogen Membrane Generator? We Can Help!

If you’re seeking a reliable and cost-effective solution for your nitrogen needs, look no further than On-Site Gas Systems. Contact us today to discover how our membrane nitrogen generators can benefit your business across various industries, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and oil and gas.

 

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generators, also known as PSA nitrogen generators, can produce a high-purity supply of nitrogen. Requiring only a power source and the air around us, these generators are able to produce a continuous supply of nitrogen for businesses in multiple industries.

PSA nitrogen gas generators are a must-have product for companies in the food and beverage industries, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive, oil and gas, aeronautics industry, and more. If you own a company in one of these industries and do not have a PSA nitrogen gas generator, you may be relying on nitrogen cylinder delivery for your supply of nitrogen. These cylinders are impractical, unreliable, and have negative environmental consequences.

It’s important to use the best tools at your disposal for your business, and this is why many companies turn to PSA nitrogen generators. PSA nitrogen generators are reliable, consistent, have low operating costs, and are less damaging to the environment.

Understanding PSA Nitrogen Generators

What is PSA Technology?

A PSA nitrogen generator is a device that produces high-purity nitrogen from air. The generator starts by removing impurities. Next, the nitrogen is adsorbed by material in the generator, while other gasses are discharged back into the air. Nitrogen is then desorbed and ejected through the outlet. This process happens over and over again, allowing operators to cull nitrogen from the air.

Key Components of PSA Nitrogen Generators

PSA nitrogen generators are made up of several components, including:

• Air compressor
• Air dryer 
• Twin towers PSA Nitrogen Generator with Carbon Molecular Sieve
• Storage tank
• Control panels

The PSA nitrogen generator consists of two towers that do the same thing. While one tower is desorbing, the next one is adsorbing, to produce a continuous supply of nitrogen.

General Benefits of PSA Nitrogen Generators

There are many reasons that businesses choose PSA nitrogen generators over other sources of nitrogen. Below are some of the general benefits of PSA nitrogen generators.

Cost Efficiency

Running a PSA nitrogen generator to produce nitrogen costs less than purchasing a regular supply of nitrogen through cylinders and other delivery methods. Although PSA nitrogen generators cost more upfront, most businesses see long-term savings and quick return on investment (ROI) with this type of purchase.

On-Demand Nitrogen Supply

PSA nitrogen generators are flexible and convenient. They can produce a continuous supply of nitrogen seven days per week, and they eliminate dependency on external nitrogen suppliers.

High Purity and Consistency

Nitrogen generators are a reliable source of high-purity nitrogen. High purity levels are important for various industrial applications.

Environmental Benefits

Whereas nitrogen cylinders are delivered by trucks to businesses, nitrogen generators stay in one spot and use only a little electricity to do their job. Businesses that switch to nitrogen cylinders see a reduction in their carbon footprint by eliminating transportation of nitrogen cylinders. Nitrogen cylinders also use an energy-efficient operation, thus switching to this type of cylinder can have a positive impact on the environment.

Industry-Specific Advantages of PSA Nitrogen Generators

Below are some of the industries where nitrogen generators are most often used. If your business is dependent upon nitrogen delivery to operate, whether your industry is listed below or not, you too may be able to benefit from a nitrogen generator.

Food and Beverage Industry

In the food and beverage industry, nitrogen is used for packaging and preservation. Presence of nitrogen and lack of oxygen in packaging prevents oxidation, which can cause the development of off-odors and flavors. MAP packaging (modified air packaging), which replaces oxygen with nitrogen in food packages, is essential to ensure the long shelf life of packaged foods.

Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry

Nitrogen is an inert gas, so it doesn’t react with chemicals and products like medications. In the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, nitrogen is used to create inert atmospheres to prevent oxidation. Just like in the food and beverage industries, nitrogen is used to flush out the air in packages that contain chemicals and medications. This helps ensure a long shelf life of the product.

Electronics and Semiconductor Industry

Oxidation can cause deterioration and poor quality in solder joints, just as it can produce deterioration in food and beverages. This happens because oxygen reacts with solder to create an oxide layer during the soldering process.

Nitrogen is used to replace oxygen during soldering, wave soldering, and component assembly to ensure quality and reliability in electronics manufacturing. This prevents oxidation and ensures high-quality solder joints in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

Automotive and Aerospace Industry

Oxygen has a way of passing through tire rubber over time, which can lead to deflation of tires. Nitrogen does not pass through rubber, and thus nitrogen can be used in tire inflation in automobiles and airplanes.

Nitrogen can also be used in fuel inserting systems, which reduce the amount of oxygen in fuel tanks to prevent the possibility of combustion. Nitrogen’s inert properties improve fuel tank safety.

Oil and Gas Industry

Nitrogen’s inert qualities come in handy in the oil and gas industry. Nitrogen is used in pipelines in well drilling because it’s non-combustible. Removing nitrogen from pipelines helps create a safe work environment and prevent accidents in the industry.

Nitrogen is also used to purge pipelines of oxygen and pressure test pipelines to check for leaks. In fact, Nitrogen’s inert properties make it safer to use in these instances.

Why Your Industry Needs PSA Nitrogen Generator Technology

Nitrogen is a useful gas in many industries. It is stable, inert, and abundantly found in the Earth’s atmosphere. Many businesses use nitrogen for preservation of products and to prevent oxidation. Nitrogen can also be used to reduce risk in normally flammable environments.

PSA nitrogen generators are efficient machines that can be used to produce nitrogen easily and in a cost-effective way. For businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility, nitrogen generators can help reduce the size of their carbon footprint while improving operational flexibility.

If your business relies on nitrogen for your product packaging, manufacturing or industrial processes, a nitrogen generator can be a valuable investment. To enhance your industrial processes with a PSA nitrogen generator, contact On Site Gas today. 

 

Nitrogen gas is important in industries ranging from food and beverage packaging to pharmaceuticals. Nitrogen is non-reactive and non-oxidizing, which means it can be used to prevent the corrosion of materials like metal and the deterioration of perishable goods like medicine, foods, and beverages.

As various industries discover more uses for nitrogen, nitrogen generator technologies continue to be in high demand. Improvements to the technology only increase the need for these devices as time goes on. In 2024, nitrogen generator technology will be more sophisticated, efficient, and beneficial than ever. Nitrogen gas technology can save businesses money, improve their efficiency, and enable revolutionary process changes for businesses that rely on nitrogen.

If your business is dependent upon nitrogen gas for important manufacturing processes, the following technological advancements could change your business forever.

The Basics of Nitrogen Gas Generation

There are multiple types of nitrogen gas generators, including PSA nitrogen gas generators and membrane nitrogen gas generators.

Membrane Nitrogen Gas Generators

Membrane nitrogen generators function by pushing air through a tube with a nitrogen generator membrane inside. This separates the unwanted gas (like oxygen) from the desired gas (nitrogen). Oxygen and other gases are vented back into the air, while nitrogen is pushed through an outlet in a steady stream.

Membrane nitrogen gas generators have no moving parts and are relatively easy to maintain.

PSA Nitrogen Gas Generators

PSA nitrogen gas generators use two tanks that work in tandem. As one tank’s carbon molecular sieve absorbs non-nitrogen particles and produces a steady stream of nitrogen, the other tank cleans its carbon molecular sieve. Once the process is finished in each tank, they switch roles and the process starts over again.

PSA generators are capable of producing higher purity nitrogen than membrane nitrogen gas generators.

Advancements in Nitrogen Generation Technology

Nitrogen generators have undergone improvements in efficiency, purity, environmental impact, and other qualities in recent years. Some examples of the changes made to nitrogen gas generators include:

• Remote monitoring to allow for off-site monitoring and continuous operation.
• Reduced energy requirements allow for improved efficiency and sustainability.
• Customization to meet the needs of businesses.
• Safety improvements to keep workers healthy and safe.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Nitrogen generators are naturally energy efficient, especially when compared to alternative nitrogen delivery options, such as nitrogen cylinder rental. Whereas nitrogen cylinders are dependent upon regular delivery systems that require the use of fossil fuel-dependent vehicles, nitrogen generators stay in one place throughout their service life and need only small amounts of energy to function.

In addition, nitrogen generators have a “standby mode” that allows them to use less energy when not in use. This helps businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

Modern nitrogen generator systems are more efficient than ever and require less energy to operate. This means significant energy savings for businesses and a smaller environmental impact as well.

Smart Nitrogen Generation

The term IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the modern practice of connecting devices to data networks to allow for remote monitoring and control. Just as you can connect your refrigerator, washer, or dryer to the Internet, so can you also connect your business’s nitrogen generator.

Smart nitrogen generators can be turned on and off through a remote control, and they may also be supervised and monitored through this remote control. This connectivity also allows operators to view maintenance reminders to keep up with regular maintenance. Operating your nitrogen generator is easier than ever with this smart connectivity.

Customization and Scalability

Every business needs to produce nitrogen at different rates. Customizations and scalable systems allow businesses to meet their nitrogen needs, even as those needs increase over time. The level of customization and scalability for nitrogen generators is more sophisticated than ever, and modern systems have many ways of adapting to the changing needs of businesses.

It’s important to work with your nitrogen generator supplier to anticipate your nitrogen needs now and into the future, to ensure that your custom-made system will continue to serve your company well.

Safety and Compliance

Safety features and international standards in nitrogen generation change on a regular basis. As these standards roll out, so do new nitrogen generator systems and designs to remain compatible with those standards.

Safety features like built-in sensors that continuously monitor gas levels and shutdown mechanisms that stop system malfunctions before they become dangerous can stop accidents and help ensure the safe use of nitrogen generator technology.

Stay Updated with Technological Advancements for Nitrogen Gas Generators

Innovations and improvements to nitrogen gas generators in 2024 have improved their safety, energy efficiency, functionality, and more. These innovations can improve the way businesses produce and ship goods. To learn more about how your business can benefit from modern nitrogen gas generators, contact On Site Gas to request a quote.

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.