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.