Nitrogen gas plays an important role in countless products and processes we encounter every day. From keeping packaged foods fresh to protecting sensitive electronics during manufacturing, nitrogen provides the inert environment many industries need to maintain quality, safety and efficiency.
For companies with ongoing nitrogen requirements, relying exclusively on cylinders or scheduled gas deliveries can create additional costs and logistical challenges. An on-site nitrogen generator provides another option: producing the required nitrogen gas directly at the facility using the air around us.
At On Site Gas Systems, we design nitrogen generation systems for applications across a wide range of industries. Here are some of the industries that depend on nitrogen generators every day.
The food and beverage industry is one of the most recognizable users of nitrogen gas.
Exposure to oxygen can contribute to oxidation and deterioration of many foods. Nitrogen can be introduced into packaging to displace oxygen and create a more controlled environment around the product.
This process, commonly associated with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), can help maintain product freshness, appearance and quality.
Nitrogen may be used for products such as:
Producing nitrogen on-site can be especially valuable for facilities that package products continuously and therefore require a dependable nitrogen supply.
Modern electronics require extremely precise manufacturing conditions. Nitrogen is frequently used during electronics manufacturing because its inert properties help create a controlled environment and minimize oxidation.
Applications can include:
For electronics manufacturers requiring consistent nitrogen purity, an on-site generator can provide gas according to the facility’s specific flow and purity requirements.
Nitrogen is also widely used throughout metalworking and fabrication.
One important application is laser cutting, where high-purity nitrogen can be used as an assist gas. Nitrogen helps prevent oxidation along the cut edge, which can result in a cleaner finish and reduce the need for additional processing.
Facilities with substantial nitrogen consumption can benefit from generating gas on demand rather than continually purchasing cylinders or bulk gas.
Maintaining controlled environments is critical throughout pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Nitrogen’s inert properties make it useful for applications where oxygen or moisture could negatively affect materials, processes or finished products.
Common applications can include:
An on-site nitrogen generator gives pharmaceutical facilities greater control over their nitrogen supply and can be engineered around specific purity and flow requirements.
The oil and gas industry uses nitrogen for numerous applications in which a dry, inert gas is required.
Nitrogen applications can include:
On-site nitrogen generation can be particularly useful in this industry because systems can be designed for stationary facilities as well as remote and field applications.
Chemical manufacturers frequently need to control the atmosphere surrounding materials and processes.
Nitrogen can displace oxygen from tanks, vessels and processing equipment, helping create an inert environment.
Depending on the operation, nitrogen may be used for blanketing, purging, product transfer and other manufacturing processes.
Generating nitrogen on demand provides chemical processing facilities with a consistent supply while reducing dependence on outside gas deliveries.
Nitrogen’s stability makes it useful in numerous aerospace and automotive applications.
It may be used for component manufacturing, testing, inerting, tire inflation and other processes requiring a controlled gas supply.
Because these applications can vary considerably, nitrogen generation systems can be configured according to the required flow rate, pressure and purity.
Nitrogen has also become an important tool in certain fire protection applications.
Nitrogen can be used in dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems to reduce the amount of oxygen inside piping. Maintaining a nitrogen-rich environment can help limit conditions that contribute to internal corrosion.
Membrane nitrogen generation technology can be particularly well suited to applications where extremely high nitrogen purity isn’t necessary.
Ships and marine facilities can require nitrogen for inerting and other onboard processes.
Unlike traditional gas delivery arrangements, an on-site nitrogen system can provide an independent supply wherever the generator is installed. This makes nitrogen generation particularly attractive for applications where dependable access to delivered gas may be difficult.
The common thread connecting these industries is simple: they need dependable access to nitrogen gas.
Traditional nitrogen supply methods require companies to purchase, transport, store and replenish gas. An on-site generator changes that model by separating nitrogen from ordinary atmospheric air and producing it at the point of use.
Depending on the application, benefits can include:
Both Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and membrane nitrogen generators can be used depending on the application’s requirements. PSA systems are particularly valuable for high-purity applications, while membrane systems can provide an efficient solution for applications with lower or moderate purity requirements.
There isn’t a single nitrogen generator that’s right for every business. Purity, flow rate, pressure, operating hours and application requirements all play a role in determining the appropriate system.
On Site Gas Systems designs and manufactures PSA and membrane nitrogen generation systems for customers across dozens of industries. Our systems can be configured around the specific requirements of your operation, providing nitrogen where and when you need it.
If your business relies on nitrogen gas every day, switching from delivered gas to on-site generation could provide greater control, reliability and long-term cost savings.
Contact On Site Gas Systems today to discuss your application and spec the right nitrogen generation system for your facility!
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