On-site gas generation

Nitrogen Generators

Producing your own nitrogen is the smart professional choice. Using an on-site nitrogen generator is more cost-efficient, dependable and sustainable than gas deliveries. Find out below how an N2 generator works, and what its uses and benefits are.

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What is a nitrogen generator?

A nitrogen gas generator is a machine that separates nitrogen from compressed air, which consists of 78% N2 and 21% O2. A gas generator is the easiest, most flexible, cost-efficient and sustainable way of obtaining your own nitrogen supply.

The benefits of on-site nitrogen generation

On-site nitrogen generation offers major advantages over traditional cylinder deliveries—making it a smart upgrade for efficiency, reliability, and cost control.

 

1. Cost savings
Produce only what you need, at the purity you require—cutting gas costs significantly.

 

2. Sustainable choice
Reduce transport emissions and energy use with Pneumatech’s efficient systems.

 

3. Reliable supply
Gain full control and never worry about late or missed deliveries.

 

4. Purity on demand
Match nitrogen purity to your process and avoid overpaying for higher specs.

 

5. No logistics hassle
Eliminate vendor coordination, delivery tracking, and inventory checks.

PSA nitrogen generators

How does a nitrogen generator work?

To produce your own nitrogen, all you need is a compressor and a nitrogen generator.

 

That’s because air consists of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. When you feed compressed air into a nitrogen generator, it separates the N2 from the O2. There are two main technologies to produce nitrogen:

 

PSA technology

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) separates nitrogen from compressed air with adsorbent materials. As the air passes through a vessel filled with Carbon Molecular Sieves (CMS), the oxygen in the air is adsorbed by the CMS. This allows only nitrogen with a purity of up to 99.999% to reach the outlet. PSA nitrogen generators are ideal for high-purity, high-flow applications.

 

Membrane technology

Membrane technology is a very simple, reliable and continuous N2 production method. Compressed air is pushed through hollow polymer membranes. The oxygen in the air escapes through the fiber walls and permeates into the atmosphere. This leaves quality nitrogen with a purity between 95% and 99.5% at the generator outlet.

 

Controlling nitrogen purity made easy

Nitrogen purity is a critical factor in determining the suitability of nitrogen gas for various industrial and commercial applications, ranging from food packaging to chemical processing.

 

One of the standout advantages of on-site nitrogen generators is the unparalleled control they offer over nitrogen purity, a flexibility not available with pre-packaged, delivered nitrogen gas, which always comes in the highest purity. Through technologies such as Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and membrane filtration, users can fine-tune the nitrogen production process to achieve the exact purity level required for their specific applications. This capability is crucial because different industrial and commercial processes demand varying degrees of nitrogen purity. 

 

This customizable approach to nitrogen generation not only ensures optimal performance for each unique application but also avoids the inefficiencies and constraints associated with the fixed purity levels of delivered nitrogen gas, enhancing both operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Verifying nitrogen purity

Ensuring the purity of nitrogen produced by on-site generators is paramount for meeting specific application standards and operational efficiency. We ensure the highest standards of nitrogen purity by equipping every one of our nitrogen generators with a Zirconia oxygen sensor for real-time purity monitoring. This allows users to effortlessly track the gas purity from anywhere, ensuring it meets their specific needs. Additionally, we provide third-party certified purity certificates for our nitrogen generators, guaranteeing compliance with industry standards.

Return on investment compared to delivered nitrogen

Investing in an industrial nitrogen generator for on-site nitrogen production represents a significant upfront cost, but the long-term savings and return on investment (ROI) are substantial when compared to the ongoing expenses of securing a nitrogen gas supply through bottled or bulk nitrogen from third-party suppliers. The cost per unit of nitrogen produced on-site is markedly lower, primarily due to the elimination of delivery fees, rental charges for cylinders or tanks, and administrative costs associated with managing orders and deliveries. 

 

Additionally, on-site nitrogen production provides a consistent supply of nitrogen at the required purity levels, reducing waste and inefficiencies associated with handling and storing bottled nitrogen. Businesses also benefit from the predictability of operating expenses and the ability to scale nitrogen production without incurring exponentially higher costs. 

 

Typically, companies can recover the initial investment in an industrial gas generator within two to three years, depending on their nitrogen usage rates. After this period, the cost savings become even more pronounced, making on-site nitrogen generation a financially savvy choice for industries reliant on a steady nitrogen gas supply.

 

Where is nitrogen used?

The use of nitrogen is required in countless industrial and professional applications. Here are just a few.

N2 knowledge center

Want to know more about nitrogen use and generators? Check out our blog library.

Pneumatech nitrogen generation services – more than just hardware

Pneumatech does much more than provide top-quality nitrogen generators:

 

  • As the air treatment and gas generation specialist, we can meet all your compressed air quality and industrial gas needs.
  • When you provide us with information about your specific nitrogen needs, we can put together the optimal system to meet them.
  • We can help with leak detection, flow monitoring and other ways to make nitrogen and compressed air generation more efficient and save you money.

Get in touch

Have questions or curious about how our nitrogen generators can boost your operations? Reach out to us! Our team is eager to provide insights and support to help you optimize your processes with our cutting-edge nitrogen technology. Let's transform your operations together!

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